10 Days Best of Kenya Cultural & Wildlife Adventure

(Activities: Tree Planting; Canopy Walk; Forest Walk; Bird Watching; Visit the Waterfalls)
Early breakfast at your camp then depart from Nairobi and drive to the foothills of the scenic Mt Kenya Forest where lies Ngare Ndare Forest. This is a lush indigenous forest at the foothills of Mt. Kenya. Azure pools glisten at the bottom of waterfalls and 200 year old trees stretch into the canopy supporting a rich variety of bird and animal life. The forest is a vital corridor that links the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to Mount Kenya, and one which elephants have been using for centuries. You will have lunch on arrival then afterwards proceed to explore the Forest on a guided nature walk in the company of an armed ranger. You can combine the forest walk with a swim in the waterfalls, some birding and photography as you head to the canopy which is a 40 ft. high aerial bridge of wire mesh and cables meandering through the tree canopy and extending 450 meters long. The walkway ends at a wooden platform 30ft. high, where you can relax and enjoy a view of the river from this elevated vantage point. Elephants and buffaloes frequently come here to drink and wallow. Plant a tree at one of the tree planting spots and leave a positive mark in Africa which you can visit over the years to come and which will be remembered by generations to come. Have dinner under the African Star-studded Sky and around a bonfire then later on retire to your tents where you will spend the night. In the night you will be guarded by an armed ranger, who will make sure no wild animals are interrupting your sleep. The campsite is often visited by herds of elephants so you may hear very interesting noises in the night that will definitely add up to your Ngare Ndare camping adventure! The campsite is located near the canopy and at the banks of the flowing river and is equipped with clean running water, a toilet and a bathroom
Overnight: Ngare Ndare Forest Campsite
http://www.ngarendare.org/forestcamping.php Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

(Activities: Cultural Visits and Wildlife Conservation Walks
After breakfast you will board your vehicle and proceed to Il Ngwesi which is a community based wildlife conservation ranch locally owned and managed by the Masai people. You will have traditional mouth-watering lunch at the banks of the Ngare Ndare River on arrival. Our in-house trained chef has put together a range of creative dishes rooted in European and African cuisines. After lunch you will indulge in a guided nature walk to the rhino sanctuary and afterwards visit a local Masai Cultural Boma to learn about traditional hunting techniques and honey collecting, and enjoy local music and dancing. Those interested in community projects can spend time with local women to learn about beading techniques, or visit a local school or health clinic built with funds from an individual donor. Il Ngwesi Lodge contributes to developing the local communities by supporting education, health and livelihood projects, providing jobs and business opportunities to local communities which depend on this ecosystem for survival. After the visit you will depart from Il Ngwesi and drive to Twala Tenebo Manyattas where you will have sumptuous dinner and spend the night.
Overnight: Twala Tenebo Manyattas
https://www.accafrica.org/our_work/explore_programs/enhancing_livelihoods_in_east_africa/womens-enterprise/twala-cultural-manyatta/
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

(Activities: Cultural Interaction; Baboon Walks)
After breakfast you will immerse yourself in authentic Masai culture as you interact with the local Masai women who founded this project with an aim to provide income for the local women and a unique and authentic experience for visitors while fostering respect and understanding of the local environment and culture. All proceeds from donors go directly to the community and will be utilized for the benefit of sustainable development and poverty reduction. As a true eco and cultural tourism facility, all guides are recruited locally and the facility is constructed using local and traditional materials. Enjoy traditional dances and songs, find water, and learn how to bead. Learn about men’s traditional activities including making fire with sticks, playing bao, and fashioning arrows. Participate in a goat roast with songs and ancient traditional stories around the campfire as you wind down the night. Local traditional brew / beer can be organized on request.
Overnight: Twala Tenebo Manyattas
https://www.accafrica.org/our_work/explore_programs/enhancing_livelihoods_in_east_africa/womens-enterprise/twala-cultural-manyatta/
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

(Activities: Baboon Walk; Boat Ride; Guided Nature Walks in the Sanctuary)
After breakfast, you will take an early morning guided walk among a troop of local baboons and learn about these amazing primates. Gorillas are big and impressive but mostly sit around. By contrast, a baboon troop is filled with active and smart monkeys who practice sophisticated politics in their daily lives. Come find out what happens when smart baboons meet their smart human cousins! It is truly a unique and exciting experience. After the baboon walk you will depart from Twala and drive to Lake Naivasha where you will have lunch on arrival at the shores of the lake; in another magical place which is cool from the fresh lake breeze which blows to your camp. After lunch, you will depart on a relaxing boat ride for a chance to spot hippos in the lake. Row up to the Crescent Island which is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary where you can enjoy a guided nature walk in the company of a local guide. Trek up to the top of the hill where there is a 360-degree view across the Lake from Longonot to Hell’s Gate to the Mau Escarpment to Eburu and onto the Aberdares. Crescent Island has an abundance of animal and plant species. Whether an avid animal, bird or plant lover or just an interested novice you will find something to excite you. Examples include the Masai Giraffe, Hippopotamus, buffalo, impala, defassa waterbuck, wildebeest, zebra, thompson & grants gazelle, bat eared fox, kirks dik dik and bush buck among others. After the visit you will ride the boat back to the shores of the lake and transfer back to your camp and wait for dinner to be served.
Overnight: Camp Carnelleys http://www.campcarnelleys.com/
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

(Activities: Cycling; Hiking; Cave and Gorge Exploration / Visit the Natural Spa)
After breakfast you will carry packed lunchboxes and thereafter depart to the nearby Hells Gate Park where you will spend the day. The park is so named because of the immense geothermal activities that occur within its boundaries. This park has some of the most spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam making it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. There are a variety of activities that you can enjoy in this park including mountain bike cycling, hiking, guided nature walks, photography and bird watching. The adrenalin junkies can also interest themselves on a rock climb to the Fishers Tower which is the highest point in the park. The local guide will also take you to the visit of the gorges and caves which make up the parks history. The Ol Karia Geothermal Spa is also a great way to wind down the day as you dip yourself into the medicinal natural hot spa. After the tour, you are transferred back to your camp where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Overnight: Camp Carnelleys
http://www.campcarnelleys.com/
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

(Activities: Game drives, Bird Watching, Photography)
Early breakfast then check out of the camp and drive to Masai Mara via Mai Mahiu and Narok Town which is a Masai town located along this route. Drive on to Masai Mara arriving for check in and hot lunch at the camp. After lunch, enjoy game drives for an opportunity to spot the big five animals as well as many other animals which include the cheetah, hyena, giraffe, warthog, gazelle, wildebeest and others. As the sun sets, you are driven back to the camp rest and dinner.
Overnight: Fisi Camp
http://www.fisicamp.com/
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

(Activities: Game Drives, Photography, Bird watching)
Early wakeup call then have an early morning pre breakfast game drive at 6.30am for a chance to see the park when most active. Afterwards return to the camp for late breakfast then carry packed picnic lunch and depart for full day game drives. You will explore the new 8th wonder of the world and if lucky you might see an adrenaline filled cheetah hunt in the open plains of the Masai Mara. In the evening you will transfer back to the camp for dinner and rest.
Overnight: Fisi Camp
http://www.fisicamp.com/
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

(Activities: Guided Walks by a Masai Warrior; Cultural Dances; Stick Fighting)
Early breakfast then check out of the camp and have the last morning game drive in Masai Mara which is recommended for a chance to see the park and watch animals as the sun rises. Afterwards you will exit from the park and drive to Maji Moto Masai village arriving for hot lunch. After lunch you will enjoy a guided nature walk to take in the beauty and rolling landscapes of the Loita Hills. During the walk you are guided by a Masai warrior who tells you stories about the culture and various practices. This last night serves to compare between the northern Masai communities and the western Masai communities and learn about how their culture differs from the other. You will have another opportunity to sample local cuisine and probably help with food preparation and any other activity that you may like to participate in. The camp is operated by local Masai people and your overnight stay will immerse you into the intense natural beauty of the ancient culture and knowledge of the Masai community.
Overnight: Maji Moto Eco Camp
http://majimotocamp.com/en/
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

(Activities: Warrior Training / Visit to the Hotsprings)
After breakfast, you will engage in an exciting Masai warrior training course, measuring skills, stick fighting, spear throwing and archery, specially organized by a Masai warrior. Also, if interested, you can also visit the nearby hot spring which is near the village and you can dip in the spring to refresh yourself and soak away the day's exertions. There is also a nearby school which you can visit (if school is in session), and see how the Masai children are taught as well as learn how the camp supports local children who are needy by providing basic education. After this, you will have lunch then check out of the camp by 2pm and board your vehicle back to Nairobi arriving in the early evening. On arrival, you bid your driver guide farewell as you are transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to connect with your international departure flight to your next destination.
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