15 days tour

The Masai Heartlands (9 Destinations)

$ 3,584 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $3,584.00

The Masai Heartlands (9 Destinations)

This tour includes:

Guide

On this trip you will be accompanied by three crew members - Group Leader, Cook and Driver who will usually be Kenyan. Your Group Leaderโ€™s role involves organizing the overall operation and smooth-running of the trip, managing trip logistics, coordinating the tipping kitty (where applicable) and will form work groups to take turns cooking, cleaning and shopping. (From time to time your leader may drive as well) Your Group Leader will work towards making the trip as safe and enjoyable as possible for all travellers. Intrepid trips are built around the coโ€“operation and participation of all the group members under the supervision of the group leader. The group leader will show the group how to set up and use the equipment. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting, especially when tracking and identifying game - we think itโ€™s the best of both worlds. Regardless of the country of origin, our Group Leaders are chosen for their leadership skills and are wonderful ambassadors for our company and our beautiful continent and its people. Your Cook is responsible for the cooking and will help to coordinate the work groups for preparing the meals and washing up! Cooks are also responsible for organizing food shopping (they are always happy to have you on board) and most importantly, they make sure high hygiene standards are kept at all times while camping. Your Driverโ€™s main responsibility is to get you to your destination safely; they are also responsible for the maintenance of the vehicles along the way. Everyone is expected to participate and carry their share of the workload/duties, making camp chores easier. The duties Rota system is adopted where all members share in general camp duties โ€“ cooking, shopping, washing up etc. If the whole group participates it will be quicker, easier, and more fun. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader and crew; however, situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.

Meals

13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 12 dinners

Others

Lake Nakuru - Village Walk & Cooking Class Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Game Drive Lake Naivasha - Boat trip Loita Hills - Cultural talk and village visit Masai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive Amboseli National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive Serengeti National Park - Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive Serengeti National Park - Afternoon Overland Vehicle Game Drive Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive

Accommodation

Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied. The type and variety of accommodation are determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some, we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others, we also use hotels. In Africa, itโ€™s not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities, so we use hotel accommodations and eat out in local restaurants. There may be the occasional night stop when we stay on the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite, which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case, there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD : 40-100 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly, and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the nightโ€™s accommodation. The day-by-day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability). Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same-sex rooms. Campsites do have facilities, but they usually arenโ€™t to the same standard you would find in Western countries. For example, the bathroom facilities can be very basic. Toilet paper is rarely provided, and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all. At times, there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately, these cannot be used without the purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip. Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hotel (2 night), Camping (with basic facilities) (3 night), Basic Hotel (1 night)

Transport

Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. Your vehicle type may differ from those listed above. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air. Each seat will have access to a power socket to charge your devices. This outlet will use a UK/K: enyan 3 pronged outlet. There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you. African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While itโ€™s certainly our aim to avoid them, itโ€™s important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times. Overland vehicle , 4x4 Safari Vehicle

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip The Masai Heartlands (9 Destinations)

  • Day 1 Day 1: Nairobi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Nairobi

      Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive with time to spare before the meeting, consider getting to know the city on an Urban Adventure like the โ€˜Nairobi Experienceโ€™. This optional 4-hour tour is a great way to get a feel for Nairobi, and includes lunch at a local restaurant. After the welcome meeting, perhaps join your new travel companions for an optional group dinner.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Lake Nakuru National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Lake Nakuru National Park

      Drive north-west past splendid views of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita to Lake Nakuru National Park. Situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park is a great location for spotting wildlife, which you will do in an early morning game drive tomorrow. For now, head to a nearby village with your leader. This is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the local folk and get a feel for everyday life here. Enjoy a cooking class and return later in the evening to share the results for dinner.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Lake Naivasha
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Lake Naivasha

      Wake early for a light breakfast and head into the Lake Nakuru National Park for a game drive in the overland vehicle. Lake Nakuru is home to rhinos, and there will be a good chance of spotting and photographing one of these magnificent beasts. Return to camp for lunch before driving to your camp near Lake Naivasha. One of the few freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha has floating islands of papyrus reeds and a border of flat-topped acacias. Itโ€™s also home to a healthy population of hippos and a tremendous variety of birds.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Lake Naivasha
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Lake Naivasha

      Enjoy a free day to choose from a variety of optional activities available around Lake Naivasha. Perhaps venture to Hellโ€™s Gate National Park, which boasts beautiful cliffs, gorges, rock towers, volcanoes and a range of geothermal phenomena. Another great choice is to take a boat trip across Lake Naivasha โ€“ perhaps the best way to take in the atmosphere of this lush area. If youโ€™re looking for something active, why not hire a bike for the day and make some of your own discoveries, venturing beyond the cacti and olive trees.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Loita Hills Maasai Village
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Loita Hills Maasai Village

      Depart Lake Naivasha, making a short stop in Narok to do a spot of food shopping. Continue to Loita Hills, home of the Maasai people, stopping for lunch on the way. Youโ€™ll be camping at Tepesua Village, which is known for championing Maasai womenโ€™s health and education. When you arrive, be welcomed by traditional Maasai warrior song and dance, then your host will explain the details of Maasai warrior training. Take a walk to the community village which was founded to alleviate the poverty of Maasai widows, who traditionally are not allowed to inherit property. The village offers support, safety and economic growth through the โ€˜Tepesua Widows Income Projectโ€™. Spend the evening around a campfire and learn more about their age-old culture and traditions as you share stories with Maasai warriors into the night.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Masai Mara National Reserve
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Masai Mara National Reserve

      Today youโ€™ll travel from Loita Hills to Masai Mara. The Masai Mara is the quintessential African experience, with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and some of the worldโ€™s most tremendous animals. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch. Then itโ€™s time to jump in 4WDs and go for a game drive through the wilderness of the Mara.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Masai Mara National Reserve
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Masai Mara National Reserve

      Venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve for a full dayโ€™s game drive in 4WDs. Youโ€™ll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a multitude of wildlife. An optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is available today. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Then, you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, to get some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and of the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, youโ€™ll be treated to a bush breakfast, then meet up with the rest of the group while on their game drive.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Nairobi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Nairobi

      Today, head back to Nairobi and take a break from pitching tents with a stay at a hotel. When you arrive, take a refreshing dip in the pool and enjoy a cool drink or go for a walk around the town and meet some local people. If youโ€™re feeling energetic, maybe head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village. Tonight, youโ€™ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet the new travellers joining you for the next stage of the adventure.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Amboseli National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Amboseli National Park

      Today, youโ€™ll board your overland vehicle bound for Amboseli National Park. The park covers an area of about 392 square kilometres and is home to the largest population of African elephants in Kenya, and is known for large tuskers. If youโ€™re lucky to visit on a clear day, youโ€™ll be treated to exquisite views of Mt Kilimanjaro. When you arrive, youโ€™ll set off on a game drive to explore the park and discover the wildlife that call this place home.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Mto Wa Mbu
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Mto Wa Mbu

      This morning, depart early for Mto wa Mbu in your overland truck. Today includes a border crossing from Kenya into Tanzania, so be sure to have your passport handy. While youโ€™re on the road, there will be a stop at an ATM and a market or shop to stock up on any supplies you might need for the coming days. Arrive in Mto wa Mbu and acquaint yourself with this delightful small village โ€“ itโ€™s a fascinating snapshot of small-town African life, situated well off the tourist trail. Later, join the local community for a guided afternoon stroll around the farming areas, milling machine and local homes before enjoying a traditional meal for dinner. Your campsite this evening is located in Mto wa Mbu.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Serengeti National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Serengeti National Park

      Rise and shine early, and head out to the wide-open plains of the Serengeti. The Serengeti landscapes see myriad colours during the year โ€“ green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season โ€“ but one thing is a constant: this never-ending landscape is home to thousands upon thousands of animals travelling as herds across the plains. This region gets its name from the local Maasai word โ€˜siringetโ€™, meaning the place where the land moves on forever, and youโ€™ll begin to understand why on your overland vehicle game drive today. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then head to your campsite, which is located within the park itself! At night, listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

  • Day 12 Day 12: Serengeti National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Serengeti National Park

      Start the day nice and early with an overland vehicle game drive at dawn. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. This morning, thereโ€™s also the option of a balloon ride over the park. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, where youโ€™ll get some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes, you will ascend, getting an overview of the vastness of the plains and the early morning movements of the herds. After landing, dig into a delicious bush breakfast, then return to your camp. After spending the warmer part of the day relaxing with your herd โ€“ just as the animals do โ€“ depart again at dusk for another overland vehicle adventure through the wild, returning in time for dinner.

  • Day 13 Day 13: Karatu (Ngorongoro Crater)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Karatu (Ngorongoro Crater)

      Enjoy a leisurely game drive and picnic lunch on your way out of Serengeti National Park today. Soak up final views of this incredible spot, before entering the Ngorongoro Conservation area. On arrival at the crater, swap our overland vehicle for open roof 4x4โ€™s. Take in the spectacular views from the craterโ€™s rim as you make your way to the bottom, where animals roam the lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. The animals here are less wary of humans and vehicles, and as a result, itโ€™s easier to watch them up close. Keep an eye out for wildebeest, lion, zebra, cheetah, buffalo, gazelle and the endangered black rhino. Later on, weโ€™ll leave the Ngorongoro Crater and drive to Karatu, a small town nearby and your base for the next two nights.

  • Day 14 Day 14: Karatu
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Karatu

      Today is a free day to relax or explore as you please. You might like to head to a local coffee plantation or take an optional game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Perhaps opt for a hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to the Elephant Caves - a great way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. Youโ€™ll hike through the Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk.

  • Day 15 Day 15: Arusha / Nairobi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: Arusha / Nairobi

      Set off early this morning, around 7.30 am, to begin your final journey for this trip. Your first stop will be in Arusha, youโ€™ll have the option to end your trip here. If it is more convenient for you, there is the option to travel back to Nairobi. Your adventure comes to an end on arrival in Nairobi. Youโ€™ll be dropped at a centrally located hotel, however, no accommodation will be provided for tonight. If you would like to extend your stay in Nairobi, weโ€™ll happily organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 15 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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