Kenya overland - In the footsteps of the Masai

In the footsteps of the White Masai

Private Kenya Safari
Route: Nairobi - Nanyuki - Samburu National Park - Lake Baringo - Lake Naivasha / Nairobi

The White Masai is the true story of the Swiss woman Corinne Hofmann who fell in love with a Samburu warrior. She moved deep into Kenya and eventually become a member of the traditional community. Stories like this one appeal to the imagination of most travellers, and that's why we offer this unforgettable Kenya overland tour.

During this trip, you'll spend a night at the foot of Mount Kenya in a traditional manyatta, made of branches and straw. You'll head out in search of chimpanzees at Sweetwaters Game Reserve before trekking deeper into Kenya on your way to beautiful Samburu National Park where, you'll spend the night in a simple banda hut built by local Samburu women. The next day, you'll set off a game drive in search of lions and elephants. You'll drive towards Nanyuki, and later towards Lake Baringo to spot crocodiles and hippos. As you travel in the footsteps of the White Masai, you'll explore and experience the real Kenya.

This safari is totally private, so you'll travel only with your companions and your english-speaking driver/guide.

Click here for a map of Kenya and Tanzania

Duration	6 days / 5 nights departs daily from Nairobi - private safari	Accommodation	Basic, typical Kenyan bandas and manyattas. Comfort levels 1 and 2 (see accommodation).
Price	From £863 per person - based on 2 people sharing From £625 per person - based on 4 people sharing	Includes	Safari van with convertible roof - accommodation for 5 nights - all meals - transport - entrance fees parks (approximately £95) - game drives and english-speaking driver/ guide.
Transport	Safari vehicle with convertible roof	Excludes	International flight

Day 1: Nairobi - Sweetwaters Game Reserve - Nanyuki

Travel time approx. 3.5 hours

This morning our driver will pick you up at your hotel and drive you north, straight through the fertile farmland and valleys of the Kikuyi, one Kenya's many tribes. After about 3 hours you'll see the snowy peaks of Mount Kenya. Once you reach the town of Nanyuki, you'll head into the bush and your Kenya overland adventure will really begin. Here you'll find several genuine manyattas - simple, typical Kenyan homes made out of branches and straw. This evening you'll sleep in a manyatta just as the locals do.

After lunch you'll head towards Sweetwaters Game Reserve for your first game drive and you'll also visit Jane Goodall's Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Chimpanzees that were once abandoned or abused as pets are cared for and released back into the wild here. You'll be able to walk through the woods into which the chimpanzees are released. Later on you'll continue deeper into the park in search of elephants, lions and other wild animals. As the sun sets, you'll drive back to your manyatta where Susan, your personal chef, will have prepared a delicious meal that you can enjoy by candlelight beneath a twinkling starry sky and next to a warming campfire.

You'll spend the night in a traditional manyatta in Nanyuki.

Day 2: Nanyuki Camel Camp - Samburu National Park

Travel time approx. 4 hours

After breakfast with a view of Mount Kenya, you'll climb onto one of the camels for a ride through the surrounding area, before travelling deeper into Kenya towards Samburu, one of the country's most beautiful natural parks. From the town of Isiolo on you'll drive across a real Kenyan 'road', filled with potholes and bumps. The landscape will become more rugged and more arid.

After two hours of uneven roads you'll arrive at a small village with several bandas, local homes made of stone. The local women who built these huts will also be here to give you a warm welcome. After lunch, you'll learn about the Samburu tribe, taking a look in their manyattas and seeing how they make fire. In the evening, there will be dancing by the campfire and with a little luck you'll hear one of the many beautiful stories about the tribe.

You'll spend the night in a simple banda hut in Samburu.

Day 3: Samburu Safari

You'll wake before sunrise, and set off towards the Samburu National Park gate after a light breakfast. In Samburu National Park, you're very likely see the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. It's one of the most beautiful natural parks in Kenya and the rugged landscape is surrounded by mysterious hills and mountains. Here and there, you'll find a scattered acacia tree and rivers lined by tall palm trees. It's time to roll down the roof and head out in search of wild animals - a real highlight of this Kenya overland tour.

When the sun is high in the sky and most animals search for shelter from the heat, you'll drive out of the park for lunch and perhaps even a short siesta. Late afternoon you'll head back into the park for an afternoon game drive.

Tonight you'll spend another night in your banda in Samburu.

Kenya overland - Washing up after a dusty walk

Day 4: Samburu National Park – Lake Baringo

Travel time approx. 8 hours

Today you'll have an early start; your driver has quite some overland distance to cross through Kenya. First you'll drive back over a bumpy road to Nanyuki where you'll continue on to Thomson falls. At the waterfalls you'll stop for a while to stretch your legs before continuing on to Lake Baringo. You'll drive straight through the interior of the country, all the while catching a glimpse of everyday life in the villages along the way.

In the distance you'll begin to see Lake Baringo, where you'll spend the night. After dinner you can go for a night cap at the The Thirsty Goat, the campsite's bar.

You'll spend the night in a comfortable safari tent at the edge of Lake Baringo.

Day 5: Lake Baringo boat trip

If you're up early this morning, you can participate in an optional nature walk around the lake where you'll try to spot interesting birds, spiders and snakes with your qualified guide. After breakfast, you'll be picked up for a boat ride on the lake.

One of the skippers on the boat will purchase a few fish from one of the local fishermen and sail toward the island. He'll wave the fish around, throw it in the water and whistle. Before long you'll see an Osprey swooping in low to catch his easy prey. After circling the island, where you're likely to see large lizards, you'll sail back to the campsite for a drink at the bar.

You'll spend another night in your safari tent at the edge of Lake Baringo.

Day 6: Lake Baringo – Nairobi or Lake Nakuru - End of tour

Travel time approx. 6 hours

After breakfast, your Kenya overland trip comes to an end and you'll head back towards Nairobi, approximately a 6 hour drive. You can also extend your stay at Lake Nakuru National Park where you'll have a good chance of seeing rhinos and, if you're lucky, lions. Here, thousands of flamingos form a pink carpet at the edge of the lake. You'll sleep in a safari tent at the edge of the immense crater. Please contact us to find out more about this extension.

After this Kenya overland tour, you can visit the world famous Masai Mara wilderness reserve with A day in the life of the Masai... or take our Masai Mara tented camp safari. You could also spend a night in Nairobi before continuing with The mountain and the bellowing elephants to Diani Beach for Bounty beaches and snorkelling bays. Alternatively, if you want to head straight for the beach, you can catch a domestic flight straight to Mombasa for Diani.

Click here for a map of Kenya and Tanzania.

A peek at your Kenya overland accommodation

Kenya overland - Nanyuki manyatta

Kenya overland - Manyatta interior

Kenya overland - Lake Baringo tented camp

Click here for the quote request form

Click here for our Kenya and Tanzania itineraries