|
5 -
7 DAYS WALKING SAFARIS Down the NGURUMAN ESCARPMENT
Trekking with Masai
warriors and their donkeys down one of the deepest Rift Valley drops.
Incorporates 2 day gamedrive in Masai Mara with 5 days of exhilararting
but strenous Walk through Masai territory accompanied by Masai guides
and their donkeys (the Masai Mara sector can be conviniently skipped if
client are interested in walking alone). The guides lead donkeys which
carry all trips supplies. An enriching experience of remarkably
spectacular scenery and the unique Masai culture, with added
opportunities for game viewing drives before the wilderness trek.
Suitable for fit adults
and teenagers over 16 yrs old who are experienced in wilderness
treking. This trip could act as a good fitness session for clients
intending to participate in a more demanding hike to either Mt. Kenya
or Mt. Kilimanjaro.
(The first two days are
dedicated to wildlife viewing with limited walking opportunities)
Day 1: Depart from
Nairobi at 0900hrs and drive along the edge of the escarpment from
where you enjoy good views of the Great Rift Valley from vantage
points. Drive on to Masai Mara, one of the greatest wildlife spectacles
in Africa, arriving at the Mara Camp in the early afternoon to a
welcome hot shower and lunch followed by a late afternoon game drive
until 1800hrs.
Dinner and
overnight----------------------------------------Mara Springs Safari
Camp
Day 2: Spend the whole
day driving through different locations of the Mara and watching
animals as they feed or groom each other. Take a short break from the
mid day heat for picnic lunch at the Hippo Pool where you watch hippos
gracefully swim or bask lazily. By the time you return to the camp in
the evening, you've hopefully seen the elephant, the rhino, the lion,
the giraffe, the hippo, the buffalo, the zebra, the leopard and a lot
of other species including birds especially the birds of prey. An
optional evening Masai dance and cultural lecture around the campfire
can be arranged.
Dinner and
overnight--------------------------------------Mara Springs Safari Camp
Day 3: Get ready for the
walking safari. Drive into the Loita hills and to the Masai centre of
Lashita where you meet local Masai guides. Take an afternoon 2 hour
hike into the hills to set a bush camp and at Morijo here visit a local
Masai homestead and learn about various……….
Dinner and
overnight--------------------------------------------------Mobile Bush
Camp
Day 4: Weather
conditions permitting the donkeys carry provisions and you follow the
guides into the hills. The forest area is very lush & green. The
only people you might see are the Masai herdsmen and their cattle.
After about 5 hours walk you come to the banks of Alasur Stream. This
is a great place for bird lovers as there are many species that flock
around the tall tree canopy growing along the stream. (If weather
conditions are not conducive for the use of donkeys we substitute them
with Masai porters).
Dinner and
overnight---------------------------------------------------Mobile Bush
Camp
Day 5: Take a 5-6 hours
side hike with the Masai guides into the forest on the edge of the
Ngurumani Escarpment. They will lead you to a waterfall plunging deep
into the Rift Valley. Here there is a breathtaking view of the valley
3000 feet below. Have picnic lunch at the foot of the falls and return
to camp in the afternoon. An easier option to this challenging hike
down to the waterfall would be to take a milder 3-4 hours trek into the
forest to study medicinal plants traditionally used by the Masai,
combining this with birds and game spotting.
Dinner and
overnight----------------------------------------------Mobile Bush Camp
Day 6: Skirting the
forest for 4-5 hours you pass many water holes where it's possible to
see wild animals. In the trees are colobus monkeys with spectacular
black and white coats.
Dinner and
overnight--------------------------Mobile bush camp near Olaeni Stream
Day 7: Walk for 4-5
hours down the escarpment wall to arrive at the local farms and
villages. During the walk you'll be amazed at the differences in
people's lifestyles. People of Bantu origin have interacted with the
local inhabitants of the area and are utilizing the waters from the
Nguruman escarpment for horticulture in a small farm area at the base
of the escarpment. This is where you part ways with the Masaiguides and
their donkeys. After enjoying your packed lunch at a local hotel's
terrace you board the waiting vehicle. En-route you have a brief walk
on the shores of Lake Magadi, rich in bird life with flamingos as the
dominant species, 'temperatures here can get very hot'. Time permitting
you could also optionally visit the Olorgesaille national monument to
see the remains of early man before you drive back to Nairobi where our
program ends.
|
