Experience Kenya's iconic Maasai culture, from a community-owned eco lodge in Laikipia to a women-only, Maasai-owned traditional camp in the Maasai Mara.
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.
Arrive Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and assisted with customs & Immigration and transferred to your Nairobi hotel. Overnight Nairobi.
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.
Early morning game walk tracking elephant and reticulated giraffe. Visit a traditional manyatta u2014 meet the women's beading cooperative, learn about community conservation. Afternoon cultural program: spear throwing, fire making, traditional dance. Overnight 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.
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.
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 u2014 one who is heard and noticed. Evening sundowners on the savannah. Overnight 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.
Final sunrise game drive. Transfer to Mara airstrip for light aircraft flight back to Wilson Airport, connect to JKIA for departure.
