SCENIC NGURUMAN-LOITA-MASAI MARA
Most of travelers to Africa tend to miss some of what Africa is all about, culture! This is an Africa that most travelers will never see – you will be one of the fortunate ones. Your game drives in the Mara begin as the golden rays of morning chase away the cool night air and the animals begin their day’s foraging. Depending on the season, you may even find yourself in the midst of the great wildebeest migration!
Our hike through the Loita Hills brings you deep into Masai country where you will awaken to the sound of cow bells with their low soft clang and drift off to sleep as a million stars twinkle above the sky. During your visit and stay with the locals, you will get to learn their cultures and the customs. The trees and clouds and the sunsets on the beautiful ranges that surrounds the African plains will shadow evenings around the campfire!
This eleven-days walking and wildlife safari takes you from the dense forests of the Loita Hills and Nguruman Escarpment to the savannah plains near Lake Natron on the floor of the Rift Valley to the spectacular wildlife in the Masai. This trip will expose you to the Africa that will leave you yearning for more. You will be accompanied by the local Masai Morans (warriors) who act as the “security forces among the Masais”. You will camp in remote forest glades and on the edge of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, and enjoy stunning views of Lake Natron and sunrises over distant Kilimanjaro.
Plan on walking up to 15 km per day with plenty of stops to appreciate the nature and surroundings and talk with the people. Donkeys carry equipment and luggage during walking safari. A small daypack with camera, sun cream and water bottle is all you are expected to carry.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01:
NAIROBI
Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by your Wilderness Zones driver/guide and taken to a city hotel for overnight based on B&B.
DAY 2:NAIROBI – MAGADI
You will depart Nairobi by private safari vehicle and guide by road down into the Great Rift Valley towards Lake Magadi. Stop en route at the Ologasaille Prehistoric site before continuing to Sampu Camp, at the base of the western escarpment of the rift. Spend the afternoon game driving on the Community Conservation Area. Accommodation will be at Sampu Camp, Ngurumau Escarpment, Lake Magadi and it will be based on FB.
Drive time to the Camp:Appr.5 hrs of scenic ride over the Ngongo Hills famed for the movie “Out of Africa”
DAY 3:MAGADI – NGURUMAN CAMPSITE
Today marks the start of the walking safari across the Loita Hill range to the Maasai Mara. Depart Sampu Camp early and drive via Lake Magadi to Kesuamorok, which is the trail head. Walk through Nguruman town and small farms to ascend the Nguruman Escarpment and arrive at Nguruman Campsite, with a fantastic view over the rift valley below. Full board accommodation at Dryland Camp’s Light weight Fly-Camp.
Drive time:45 mins and start the walk, 3 hrs walk
Grade:i-iii of gradual and steep climbs
DAY 4:NGURUMAN CAMPSITE – ENKUTOTO
Depart Nguruman in the early morning and walk along the Nguruman Escarpment, stopping for a packed lunch and aiming to arrive at Enkutoto campsite in the late afternoon. Full board accommodation at Dryland Camp’s Light weight Fly-Camp.
Walk time:Appr. 6 hrs with picnic lunch.
Grade:i-ii gradual hike/ walk.
DAY 5:ENKUTOTO – MORIJO
Early morning walk from Enkutoto through the Sacred Forest. Spend much of the day in the cool of the forest, where you will also enjoy your packed lunch. Plan to arrive at Morijo in the afternoon. Full board accommodation at Dryland Camp’s Light weight Fly-camp.
Walk time:Appr. 6-7 hours.
Grade: ii-iii. Slight steep trails with stops enroute to learn about the medicinal value of the plants that the locals use whenever they get sick.
DAY 6:MORIJO – NAROSORA
Depart Morijo early morning to arrive in time for lunch in the camp at Narosora. In the afternoon, enjoy walks in the general area. Full board accommodation at Dryland Camp’s Light weight Fly-camp.
Walk time:Appr. 6-7 hours
Grade:i-ii. Drop off the ridge and hit the flat country.
TENTS USED DURING THE HIKES.
NB: Depending on the season, we sometimes use slightly bigger tents.
DAY 7:NAROSORA – NDARARA CAMP
Depart Narosora with packed lunch and walk through scattered bushes crossing the Mara Plains through Letukunyi to arrive at the last camp on the trek, Ndarara. Full board accommodation at Dryland Camp’s Light weight Fly-camp.
Grade:i-ii flat country walk.
DAY 8, 9 & 10: MASAI MARA
After breakfast it is time to start the 1hour journey into modern world of roads, vehicles and modern agricultural practices. Once you arrive at the vehicles it is time to bid our guides goodbye and drive back to the Masai Mara and check in at a lodge or a tented camp in this world class wildlife reserve.
NB: There is an option of 1 hour of walk before joining the van or could be picked up from the camp and head to the Mara which is about 1 hour’s drive.
For the next 3 nights, you will be spending your time doing game drives in this beautiful game reserve. The drives will take us to the different parts of the Masai Mara. During your time in the Masai Mara, you set the pace of your stay, which can be tailored, to your personal preference in the company of your professional safari guide.
Accommodation at a tented camp in the Masai Mara
Day 11:Masai Mara-Nairobi
On this day, we will have an option of a pre-breakfast game drive returning to the camp/ lodge for breakfast, which will be preceded, by the drive back to Nairobi. Plans are to arrive early afternoon where day rooms will be reserved to refreshing before late evening transfer to the airport for your homebound flights or stay overnight before extending your holiday to the Coastal town of Lamu.
