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Kenya's Cultural Safari
Kenya · Cultural Safari

Kenya's Cultural Safari

Experience Kenya's iconic Maasai Cultural from a community owned eco lodge in Laikipia to a women only Maasai owned Traditional Camp in the Maasai Mara.

Duration8 days / 7 nights
RegionKenya

Most safaris show you Kenya's wildlife. This one introduces you to its people. Built entirely around community-owned properties, this journey moves from Il Ngwesi, a Maasai-run eco lodge on a 16,000-acre group ranch in Laikipia, to Oloning'o Mara Camp, Kenya's first women-led luxury safari camp, founded and run by Maasai women in an unspoiled corner of the Mara.

The wildlife is never far: walking safaris tracking elephant and reticulated giraffe with Maasai warrior guides, a full day among the rhino of neighboring Lewa, and twice-daily game drives across the big-cat country of the Mara. But it's the moments in between that set this safari apart, beadwork alongside women's cooperatives, fireside storytelling with community elders, a traditional cattle blessing at a working boma, and sundowners on the escarpment as the day's stories settle.

Every night's stay directly supports the communities who own the land. This is Kenya heard and noticed, just as Oloning'o's name, in the Maa language, promises.

Highlights

What makes this journey.

  • Community-owned Il Ngwesi ,Maasai-run lodge on a 16,000-acre group ranch
  • Guided walks with Maasai warriors tracking elephant and reticulated giraffe
  • Manyatta visit with women's beading cooperative and community conservation stories
  • Fireside storytelling with Maasai community elders
  • Spear throwing, fire making and traditional dance
  • Traditional cattle blessing ceremony at a working boma
  • Oloningo Camp, women owned with deep wilderness, Maasai pastoral life up close
  • Sundowners on the escarpment
Day by Day

The itinerary, in detail.

8 days Kenya
  1. Day 1

    Arrival in Nairobi

    Arrival

    Arrive Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and assisted with customs & Immigration and transferred to your Nairobi hotel. Overnight Nairobi.

    Where you stay Tamarind Tree Hotel
  2. Day 2

    Fly to Il Ngwesi

    Morning transfer to Wilson Airport. Light aircraft flight north to Il Ngwesi airstrip. Arrive into the 16,000-acre Il Ngwesi Group Ranch, owned and operated entirely by the local Maasai community. Afternoon guided walk with Maasai warriors, first immersion into Samburu/Maasai culture. Overnight Il Ngwesi.

    Where you stay Il Ngwesi Eco Lodge
  3. Day 3

    Full Day Il Ngwesi

    Early morning game walk tracking elephant and reticulated giraffe. Visit a traditional manyatta — meet the women's beading cooperative, learn about community conservation. Afternoon cultural program: spear throwing, fire making, traditional dance. Overnight Il Ngwesi.

    Where you stay Il Ngwesi Eco Lodge
  4. Day 4

    Full day Il Ngwesi

    On this day, you will drive to the neighboring Lewa Conservancy for a game drive with a picnic lunch in the bush watching the Rhinos and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for an evening of storytelling around the fire with the local community. Overnight Il Ngwesi.

    Where you stay Il Ngwesi Eco Lodge
  5. Day 5

    Fly from Il Ngwesi to Maasai Mara

    Morning game drive before departing. Light aircraft flight south to the Maasai Mara. Arrive into Oloning'o Mara Camp, Kenya's first women-led luxury safari camp, owned and operated by Maasai women in an unspoiled corner of the Mara. Solar-powered canvas suites, organic linens, intentional eco-luxury. Afternoon game drive with Oloning'o's women guides. Overnight Oloning'o.

    Where you stay Oloning'o Mara Camp
  6. Day 6

    Full Day Oloning'o

    Twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 Land Cruisers; big cats, elephant, the classic Mara cast. Between drives, deep cultural immersion: beadwork workshop with Maasai women artisans, guided village visit, storytelling session celebrating Oloning'o's founding story and the Maa meaning of the camp's name — one who is heard and noticed. Evening sundowners on the savannah. Overnight Oloning'o.

    Where you stay Oloning'o Mara Camp
  7. Day 7

    Full Day Oloning'o

    Twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 Land Cruisers; big cats, elephant, the classic Mara cast. Optional- Hot Air Balloon Safari over the Maasai Mar ending with a champagne bush breakfast. Overnight Oloning'o.

    Where you stay Oloning'o Mara Camp
  8. Day 8

    Depart

    Departure

    Final sunrise game drive. Transfer to Mara airstrip for light aircraft flight back to Wilson Airport, connect to JKIA for departure.

Included

What's covered.

  • All scheduled light-aircraft flights: Nairobi–Il Ngwesi, Il Ngwesi–Masai Mara, Masai Mara–Nairobi
  • One night at Tamarind Tree Hotel, Nairobi, on bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Full board accommodation at Il Ngwesi Eco Lodge and Oloning'o Mara Camp
  • All guided walks with Maasai warrior guides, game drives and scheduled camp activities
  • Full-day Lewa Conservancy excursion with picnic lunch, including conservancy entry fees
  • Cultural programme: manyatta and village visits, beadwork workshops, spear throwing, fire making, traditional dance, cattle blessing ceremony and fireside storytelling
  • Community and conservancy fees at Il Ngwesi Group Ranch and the Masai Mara
  • Meet-and-greet on arrival and all airport transfers in Nairobi
  • Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover for the duration of the safari
  • Not included

    What's extra.

  • International flights and Kenya eTA (visa)
  • Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
  • Optional activities not specified in the itinerary
  • All alcoholic drinks at Il Ngwesi and Premium and imported drinks, champagne and wines at Oloningo
  • Purchases from the women's beading cooperatives and village craft markets
  • Gratuities to guides, camp staff and community hosts, and items of a personal nature
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