9 Days Masai Mara & Serengeti Walking Safari

The Loita Hills are one of Africa’s last true remaining wildernesses. This region is virtually unexplored and offers a rare glimpse of a world that remains untouched by the human hand. Rolling green hills extend beyond the horizon, many of them covered in rich indigenous forest. Wildebeest and zebra roam across the savannah, always keeping two eyes open for the leopards that stealthily hide in the woodland. Black and white Colobus monkeys playfully swing through the trees, mischievously munching on fruit and then continuing their treetop journey. Gazing down on the plains, it’s easy to spot gazelle and impala dotted along the horizon.

These hills have a rich Maasai history and offer an opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime cultural interaction. The Maasai have continued to practice the traditional beliefs that have been passed down for many generations while also tackling the challenges of interactions with western traditions. Each day is spent exploring ancient Maasai trails with your experienced guides. All the walks are tailored to suit your interests and capabilities, taking you deep into remote African bush that is home to many of nature’s most spectacular animals.

Included: all meals and drinks, all park entry fees, walking safaris with Maasai guides

After your hiking experience, head to the Maasai Mara, the traditional home of the Maasai tribe. This is arguably the world’s most spectacular wildlife reserve. The grass plains extend beyond the horizon, rocky outcroppings provide a haven for watchful lion prides, while two million sets of hooves arrive here every July to November as part of the Great Migration.

And what nature there is to explore! Great numbers of elephant’s roam with abandon, cute babies and youngsters indicating the health of their herd. Hairy buffalo stand impassively, their great curled horns suggesting their age and social standing.  During the Great Migration, hooves kick up dust and the grass becomes hidden beneath a patchwork quilt of zebra, wildebeest and Thompson’s gazelle. At all times of year, the number of animals here is staggering. Cheetahs sprint across the plains, seeking out youngsters separated from the herd. Spotted hyena has a charm that defies their portrayal in popular fiction like the Lion King. A large lion yawns beneath a tree, showing off ferocious teeth as the women from the pride go out hunting. These three days will show you nature like you’ve never seen it before.

Included: all meals, park entry fees, wildlife viewing by 4×4 open roof vehicle at day and night, walking safari, riding safari

The Maasai Mara and Serengeti are essentially the Kenyan and Tanzanian names for the same ecosystem. The Great Migration involves over two million animals that move through these two parks, calving their young in the Southern Serengeti before venturing north to the Maasai Mara, and then completing their annual cycle by returning to the Serengeti. But the Maasai Mara and Serengeti offer very different experiences. The smaller Maasai Mara offers a greater concentration of wildlife, but the vastness of the Serengeti offers a beauty that is almost impossible to comprehend.  The grass seems to stretch forever. Zebras canter through the grass. A lone leopard hides in the grass. A bull elephant aimlessly drifts along the grass.  Then unmistakable herds cover the grass, slowly coming towards the safari truck and filling the air with a blanket of dust.

Lions dominate this landscape, the size and health of their prides showing just how good a hunting ground the plains can be. They’ll happily spend a few days lounging and sleeping, often resting under the shade of a safari truck or isolated tree. When hungry, they’re ignited into action, the females stalking their prey before pouncing from close range. Cheetah, leopard, hyena and wild dog, are all also easily found over three days on a Serengeti safari. At first, most people’s eyes dart and wander, taking in the many mammals that are scattered across the plains. But often, the most memorable part of being in the Serengeti is gazing out onto the breath-taking beauty of the landscape. Because when the eyes stop wandering, a natural world slowly plays out from the camp balcony and it always brings a cast of wandering mammals.