Walking with Warriors

1. 1

   Day 1

   Depart from the UK, Arrive Nairobi

   Meal included: dinner

   After our flight from the UK, we will be welcomed at Nairobi airport by our Trip Leader and transfer to our hotel to relax for the evening after our journey.

2. 2–3

   Days 2–3

   Transfer to Sagan Camp

   All meals included

   This morning we will transfer a couple of hours to the Sagana River Camp. Here there will be a host of activities to kick start our Kenyan adventure. White water rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking and kayaking are all bound to get our adrenaline going! The camp is in beautiful surroundings right next to the river and is a wonderful introduction to rural Kenya.

3. 4

   Day 4

   Transfer to Maasai Mara

   All meals included

   We have a long drive today, through the stunning scenery of the Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara. On arrival, if time allows, we have the chance to visit various projects and Maasai villages. The afternoon/evening is spent getting ready for our trek tomorrow.

4. 5

   Day 5

   Maasai Mara Game Drive

   A trip to Kenya would not be complete without viewing some of the ample wildlife on offer. This morning we head out early in safari vehicles to start ticking off the big 5. We will try our luck at spotting lions, giraffes, elephants and vast herds of wildebeest. Using the expert knowledge of our guide to track animals, we will also gain fascinating insights about animal behavior. We stop for lunch, before heading out in the vehicles again. This will be an unforgettable day!

5. 6–12

   Days 6–12

   Loita Hill Trek / Lale’enok Research Centre

   All meals included

   Over the next three days, we will cover around 55km supported by donkeys and guided by Masai Warriors as we cross the Masai Mara/Loita plains. The walk will take us through the breath-taking scenery of the area and at night we will camp in the wild beside streams to wash in after each day’s endeavours! Travelling with Masai Warriors will be a fantastic opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture and share in just a fraction of their knowledge about life on the plains, not to mention their ability to spot wildlife!

   This morning we finish out trek with a 10km walk, before boarding the buses to Lale'enok Research Centre. For the next four days, the Lale’enok Research Centre will be our home. Here we will split into groups and rotate between a programme of activities which will allow us to work alongside the Masai people involved with the centre as well as learning about the scientific research which takes place. Each group will follow these activities: Game Drive: The whole group will join together for an afternoon game drive in the area. In the evening we will convene around the campfire for a group led discussion, reflections on the day and to learn how the whole research project runs and works.

   Masai Homes and Women’s Group: We will join the local Masai at their homes to learn about their culture and way of life. We will try to join them as the cows come home in the evening, allowing us to walk the cattle back to the ‘Boma’ with the herders. This is an excellent example of a working community-based Masai-wildlife conservancy. In the evening our teams will come together to meet with the local women’s group to join them singing and dancing around the campfire. This will also be a chance to discuss gender equality in Kenya and learn what it is like to live and grow up as a woman in Masai culture. Habituated Baboon Troop: Another early start today to spend time with a habituated baboon troop, learning about these social animals and how they forage for food. We will be accompanied by a researcher who will share their knowledge with us as we follow the troop on their morning forage for breakfast. Talks and Evening Game Drive: This afternoon we will attend talks with several fascinating people including local medicine men, traditional birthing attendants, chiefs, camp staff and resource assessors; an excellent opportunity to understand how entwined the local ecosystem and human populace truly is. Tonight, we will have a whole group discussion with the Kenya Wildlife Service and their work, before an evening game drive with the hopes of seeing some of the nocturnal wildlife in the area. Masai Land Uses: Our first activity for today will be to investigate the different land uses commonly practiced in the area: pastoralism, agriculture and wildlife conservation, as well as seeing how the local Masai community use all three to support their livelihoods. River Raft Game Trip: Floating down the river in a raft or on stand-up paddle boards, we will not only have a chance to relax in the beauty of the area but also to see it from a different perspective and hopefully spot some wildlife we haven’t yet seen on our game drives. We will then have the evening free to enjoy the nature of our camp. Women’s Bead Workshop: This morning we will take part in a bead workshop with the local Masai women. These handicrafts provide women here with a source of income and allow their independence. We will also have a small group Q&A with the local women, enabled through a local interpreter. Free Afternoon and Campfire Discussion: After a busy few days, the final afternoon at the Lale’enok Research Centre will be free at our leisure. We will then come together as a group for a final night around the campfire to discuss and reflect on our time here, what we have learnt and how our perspective has changed over the past days.

6. 13

   Day 13

   Return to Nairobi

   All meals included

   This morning we wave goodbye to our newfound friends at Lale’enok to return to Nairobi via the Early Man site, where many great archaeological discoveries have been made. Upon reaching Nairobi we will enjoy a final African supper before boarding our evening flight.

7. 14

   Day 14

   Arrive UK

   Meal included: breakfast

   We arrive back in the UK after our incredible African adventure.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.