Experience Overview
Swap the hubbub of Kenya's capital for the calls of flamingos, zebras and rhinos as you journey from Nairobi to Masai Mara. The impressive Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha make an unforgettable backdrop as you camp out under the stars. Trek across the plains in search of Africa's largest residents, including lions, cheetahs and elephants. Spend time with the Masaai people and experience their fascinating tribal culture. Witness conservation projects that help protect animals from harm and extinction.
Highlights
- Venture into the incredible Masai Mara National Reserve for a full-day game drive
- Make friends with warriors of the Maasai tribe around the camp fire; they'll be on guard for lions while you and your family camp overnight
- Get a taste of Nairobi, an exciting, cosmopolitan city of sterling restaurants, cafes and museums
- Keep your eyes peeled for black and white rhinos on an adventure through Lake Nakuru National Park
- Encounter colourful birds and herds of zebra on a walk around Crater Lake
- You and your family will be in excellent hands for the duration of your trip, travelling with a crew of three experienced locals – a leader, driver and cook
Trip Details
Product Code: 3128
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Overland truck,4 x 4 safari vehicle
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: YGFK
Starts: Nairobi, Kenya
Finishes: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (6), Dinner (6)Accommodation: Hotel (1 night),Cottage (2 nights),Camping with facilities (4 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $3,230 ($404 /day)
Itinerary
Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for this, consider arriving a day early so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have these to give to your leader.
If you arrive early, perhaps 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 at an outdoor village.
Notes: Petty theft is common in Nairobi. As a general rule, the safest place for your valuables is on your person in a neck wallet or money belt. Your hotel room or reception may also have a safe in which to store things. If you do decide to go exploring, make sure you get local advice on where it is and isn't safe to walk – particularly for later in the day. Be careful not to leave bags unattended on chairs or the floor when you're in a bar or restaurant. Without being paranoid, appearing vigilant is a great deterrence to would-be thieves. Also, make scans of important travel documents and email them to yourself – this will save you hours of time in paperwork if anything does happen.
Accommodation:
- Heron Court Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today will be a long day of adventuring. After breakfast, you will visit Langata Giraffe Sanctuary. This conservation project allows you to see the animals up close while learning more about them and their plight in the modern world.
After lunch, head out of Nairobi towards Lake Nakuru (approximately 4-5 hours), arriving in time to pitch a tent at the campsite before the sun goes down.
The alkaline waters of Lake Nakuru once supported an extremely large colony of flamingos – estimated to be up to two million strong! Over the course of the year the lake changes size considerably, shrinking to its smallest in March at the end of the dry season, and changing the type of birdlife and wildlife that inhabit the area. Unfortunately changes in water levels and chemical concentration caused the permanent population of flamingos to move elsewhere in the 1970s, however the lush area around the lake remains known for its bird life.
Included Activities:
- Nairobi - Langata Giraffe Sanctuary
Accommodation:
- Nakuru Camp site (Number of Nights: 1)
Head out on an early morning game drive around Lake Nakuru. Keep a lookout for the white rhinos that can often be found around the shores.
Afterwards, encounter friendly locals on a village visit before moving on to Lake Naivasha (approx: 2-3 hour drive). Lake Naivasha is a birdwatcher's paradise with floating islands of papyrus reeds. Afternoon wind and storms can cause the lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. For this reason, the local Maasai christened the lake Nai'posha meaning 'rough water’, which the British later misspelt as Naivasha.
There is an option to hire a bike and pedal around the lake this afternoon if you wish to stretch your legs after the drive.
Included Activities:
- Lake Nakuru - Village walk
- Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Optional Activities:
- Lake Naivasha - Bike hire (12 USD)
Accommodation:
- Fish Eagle Inn (Number of Nights: 1)
After a camp breakfast, head towards Crater Lake and take part in a guided walk along one of the many trails. The waters of the lake draw a great range of game. Giraffes wander among the acacia, buffaloes wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops, while the lake’s large hippo population while away the day in the shallows. The easy walk is takes 3 hours and we recommend you bring with you good sturdy foot wear. Later you may like to take an optional boat ride across the lake or simply relax at camp and take advantage of the swimming pool.
Included Activities:
- Lake Naivasha - Game Walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary (entrance fee)
Optional Activities:
- Lake Naivasha - Hell's Gate NP (Game Drive) (65 USD)
- Lake Naivasha - Boat trip (4000 KES)
Accommodation:
- Fish Eagle Inn (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart Lake Naivasha, making a short stop in Narok to do a spot of food shopping. Continue to Loita Hills (approximately 5-6 hours), stopping for lunch en route. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley, Africa's immense and spectacular great divide, and takes you into the remote region of Loita Hills. This is the home of the traditional Maasai people. Visit the Maasai, who are known for their vibrant red dress and elaborate jewellery, and gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African community. After setting up your tent, meet your Maasai hosts. A local elder will deliver a fascinating talk about the Maasai and their history and culture. You'll be shown around a traditional Maasai home and see where the resident cattle are kept. Showers, upgrades and WiFi are not available at tonight's bush camp.
Included Activities:
- Loita Hills - Cultural talk and village visit
- Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
Accommodation:
- Loita Hills Campsite (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel from Loita to Masai Mara (approximately 1-2 hours). The road is dusty when dry, and could be slippery and soft when wet, so the going may be slow. The Masai Mara is the quintessential African experience, with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and some of the world's most tremendous animals. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch, then travel in our 4x4 for a 3 hour game drive through the wilderness of the Mara.
Your campground tonight is located outside of the national reserve and has flush toilets and showers. There is an option to upgrade, depending on availability. WiFi is not available here.
Included Activities:
- Masai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
Accommodation:
- Mara Springs Camp (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise early and venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve for a full day of game driving (6hours). Explore this diverse environment and see a multitude of wildlife. Return to camp for lunch by the side of the Mara River – a great chance to spot crocs and hippos. Relax during the heat of the day before setting off again in the afternoon, expecting to return to camp around sunset. We'll stop en-route for a picnic lunch.
Included Activities:
- Masai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
Accommodation:
- Mara Springs Camp (Number of Nights: 1)
Cross the plains of the Mara and climb the Rift Valley’s eastern wall past Mount Suswa on the return drive to Nairobi (approximately 6 hours). En route there may be opportunities to stop and make some final purchases. Once back in Nairobi perhaps enjoy a final dinner with the group in a local restaurant and reflect on this incredible African adventure.
If you're flying out today, please book a flight after 6:00pm.
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Carly - Traveled, July 2023
We had the time of our lives! This trip is perfect for families that have a passion for the natural world and animals. It is full of culture, scenic views and gun group activities. I would highly recommend it. Kenya is just beautiful and we had the best time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/06/2023
Mark - Traveled, July 2023
A brilliantly enlivening week of wildlife and culture - perfect for pre-teen kids and parents.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/06/2023
Rikke - Traveled, July 2023
Great trip and varied experiences. It’s basic but safe and clean and therefore great value. Loved meeting the Kenyan crew and the other international group members. The safaris are AMAZING. The Masai village is outstanding.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/23/2023
Erica - Traveled, July 2023
Our tour was great. Our guide, Peace, was fantastic. She knows everyone and is well respected by the locals in every community we visited. Vincent’s driving was great. Keziah’s food was wonderful. I highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/23/2023
Philip - Traveled, July 2023
Super trip, super game drives saw all main animals and bird life, learned slot about the culture of the Kenyan people including the Masai people. Very educational for families and very safe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/23/2023
Philip - Traveled, July 2023
Super trip, super game drives saw all main animals and bird life, learned slot about the culture of the Kenyan people including the Masai people. Very educational for families and very safe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/23/2023
Terri - Traveled, July 2023
Amazing family memories from an incredible family trip. Whilst seeing the animals of Kenya was wonderful, it will be playing football with the Masai warriors and having fun with the village kids and our brilliant crew that we will all remember.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/09/2023
Sophie - Traveled, June 2023
This was a fantastic if tiring trip. We (myself and 12 year old daughter) enjoyed a huge variety of activities in a week. Highlights were visiting the Masai village and spotting a leopard in the Masai Mara. The tour leader and crew were superb. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/02/2023
Marlee - Traveled, June 2023
This trip was life changing. I loved learning about all the animals and visiting the different villages.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/02/2023
Brian - Traveled, June 2023
Intrepid is awesome. As somebody passionate about social responsibility, Intrepid impressed me as more than just a tour company. We will be using them again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/02/2023
Charis - Traveled, June 2023
My first experience of Africa was amazing! The Intrepid crew were fun and informative and made the trip so enjoyable. My family learned so much about the wildlife and culture of Kenya. Intrepid's policy of responsible tourism means I would choose them in the future.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/02/2023
Terence - Traveled, June 2023
Intrepid is a travel company like no other I have seen. For the real, for the curious is no just their slogan but is exactly how their trip feels. Responsible travel and responsible tourism along with safety is at the forefront of all they do. From real on the ground face to face interactions with native people trying to make a difference in their own localities to seeing wildlife a in their own environment while maintaining a respectful distance and leaving no trace but allowing the animals to come as close as they decide. Trust me they come close enough without chasing them down. We had a great family holiday filled with Fun, Adventure and immersed in the wilds of Africa.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/02/2023
Sarah - Traveled, August 2022
We had the most amazing experience meeting beautiful local people and viewing incredibile places. Our crew has been great:: our guide Mike, our driver Becky (only fetale truck driver in East Africa) and our chef Emmanuel have been so professional and fun at the same time. We learnt a lot and had a lot of laughs!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/22/2022
James - Traveled, August 2022
Our Safari family holiday in Kenya will go down as one of the most memorable trips of my life. I was completely blown away by the experiences. The scenery and wildlife were incredible. On top of that we had an amazing guide, chef and driver looking after us making sure we truly got to experience what Kenya has to offer. I highly recommend this trip to any family who like to explore.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/22/2022
Paul - Traveled, July 2022
This family trip was the only we found that would let our 5 year old come along - we were so grateful. Our children got on so we'll with this trip, the staff were amazing and fun with the kids. The camping was so much fun and travel distances were not too long at all. Our tour leader and all staff were great with us. The main part of the game drives were amazing and our game driver took us to see some amazing animals too. This really was a marvellous trip for our family!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/07/2022
Lewis - Traveled, July 2022
Lewis
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/17/2022
Helen - Traveled, July 2022
This trip was a great balance between natural beauty, wildlife and seeing how people leave their lives. You get to see life in Kenya up close
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/17/2022
Melissa - Traveled, July 2022
Our experience in Kenya was incredible! We absolutely loved every day. Our guide/leader and driver were extremely helpful, caring, funny, and knowledgeable. They treated us and our 9 year old so well. We appreciate them very much. We love them like family now! The itinerary was well thought out and we really enjoyed every activity. Overall, we are very satisfied with this trip and will certainly recommend to other families.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/10/2022
Nicholas - Traveled, July 2022
Our guide/driver represented Intrepid with great passion and expertise. We were always well informed and equipped for everything surrounding our trip. We've definitely become family after this week-long trip and I can't thank them enough. A++
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/10/2022
Hayden - Traveled, July 2024
Intrepid is an Awesome tour company I would recommend for everyone who wants to travel somewhere. They have lot of knowledge and they never let you down.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/21/2024
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