Kenya: Cultural Connections, Mt Kenya & the Masai Mara

From culture to wildlife to active adventures, Kenya has it all and has well-earned its reputation as one of the best places for safari in Africa. But this adventure goes way beyond that, bringing you a step further off the beaten path. Welcome to Nairobi and to Kenya, and we invite you to leave your hesitations behind and dive straight into the most exhilarating ten days you'll ever have.

Without a doubt the Maasai people have become the symbol of East Africa in many ways. North of Nairobi, south of Samburu, sits a very special lodge with a very special story. Il Ngwesi is owned and operated by the local Maasai community. The aim is to invite travelers to meet the community and feel completely immersed into your surroundings. It can be hard to really understand a culture when you are limited to a quick hour long visit, and this experience at Il Ngwesi is the exact opposite. Spend plenty of time with your hosts, asking questions, discussing life. Join them on a bush walk to learn local techniques, or visit the village to learn how to craft some beautiful beadwork. With a laid back pace and a completely private experience, your stay at Il Ngwesi is completely worthy of its OMG status.

Awake this morning at Il Ngwesi and with no front wall whatsoever, the fresh air wafts in as the sun rises. Rooms are built in the traditional style using wood and earth to afford travelers the opportunity to feel connected to traditional Maasai life in a very unique way. The lodge has an incredible location, set away from other tourist spots, and your hosts and guides are the Maasai men and women from the nearby community. Though not quite as modern as other facilities in Kenya, Il Ngwesi brings you straight into the heart of a Maasai community who are keen to welcome you and engage with you from the moment you arrive. Head out on safari to start the day.

Bid farewell to your Maasai hosts after an incredible two days of cultural discovery. Head south to Nanyuki where you will meet with 35 of your new best friends. While chimpanzees may not originate from Kenya, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy opened to ensure a safe, peaceful and lifelong refuge for orphaned and abused rescued chimpanzees. Habitat loss, disease and hunting are among the main reasons chimpanzees are endangered and why Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary opened their doors. Today you have a special opportunity to visit the furry residents here at Sweetwater and take a tour of the sanctuary.

Covered in afro-alpine flora and capped with glacier, Mt. Kenya is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular landscapes in Africa. Experience another side of all that Kenya has to offer by hiking a portion of this impressive mountain. Starting from Sirimon Gate and trekking through 12 km of forested slopes, crossing rivers and enjoying wildlife filled panoramic views. Though you wont summit Mt Kenya, the views from the final viewpoint on the Sirimon route are undeniably breathtaking.

Hosting the safari Big Five, the Great Migration and offering unparalleled wildlife encounters, the Mara is a destination you could easily spend weeks discovering. With some of the largest populations of lions, leopards and cheetahs in the world, Masai Mara is one of the most legendary safari destinations. After your flight, waste no time before your first unforgettable safari out in its rugged grasslands.

Today you get to choose! Do you want to hike or do you want to ride? If hiking sounds right for you, you'll head off to the Oloololo Escarpment for a hike along the granite plateau. The escarpment receives more rain than any other place in the Mara triangle so picture thick, green vegetation and full watering holes that attracts thirsty wildlife. The hike takes around 3.5 hours and has an elevation gain of around 300 meters. If you're looking for something a little less green or less physical, choose to join your local guide on a morning safari drive. Both options allow for amazing safari time out on the grasslands. At night we continue our adventure in the wild savannah with a dinner in the bush.

You start to recognize familiar sounds of wildlife at dawn, the smell of the fire in the evenings after a day on safari, and the feel of the vehicle as it treads through the bush. The exhiliration of spotting something new, witnessing some incredible display of Earth's diversity, is hard to give up once you've felt it. Luckily one final day of safari awaits. You can choose to begin at sunrise with an optional hot air balloon ride over the Mara.

A final morning in the Masai Mara brings the opportunity to capture a few final mental snapshots of your time on safari. Making your way north towards Nairobi, stop for a delicious lunch at Cafe Ubuntu, a social enterprise empowering women and families to provide for their communities through both the cafe and a crafts shop.

Your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time today.