Welcome to one of the most authentic form of safari – or as Karen Blixen once said, “Yes, this was the way it was meant to be”, a quote from the movie “Out of Africa”. Experience the magical, african bush on foot where you not only look out over Africa’s magnificent landscapes and its wildlife, you will also be able to hear, smell, feel and taste what our earliest ancestors experienced while walking the savannah. This adventure is perfect for the active and adventurous traveler who want to experience something different during a safari. Come close to Africa’s wildlife as you wander the same way our ancestors did.
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Ecorating: 4.5
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
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This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Sample Itinerary
Upon arrival in Masai Mara, meet your friendly and knowledgeable Masai guide ready to take you on your first safari game drive on the way to Wilderness Camp. Along the way you will encounter wildlife and a beautiful landscape in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
Naboisho Conservancy was formed to protect the untouched wildlife in the area and protect the Masai Mara ecosystem while providing a source of income for Masai people.
Arrive at Wilderness Camp in time for lunch. This is an intimate bush camp deep inside the Saddle Valley where you can enjoy ultimate privacy away from artificial luxury and modern disturbances.
Some time after lunch, you will meet your guide for an afternoon safari game drive in an open jeep. Large cats are especially interesting during late afternoon. Watch huge herds of mammals on Naboisho’s grass plains, showing signs of fear of the many predators that are preparing to hunt… Return to the camp in time for dinner followed by stories by the campfire.
Start the day with coffee or tea at dawn, take your first hike – feel a strong presence as you walk in the early morning together with your Masai guides – this is another dimension of being on safari! Siesta, lunch and go on another safari game drive. Watch the magic sunset of the savannah before returning to Wilderness camp for dinner and campfire.
Wake up to another special day, have a nice breakfast, get ready for a a full day walking. Learn from your Masai guides who share their knowledge of the area and wildlife on the savannah. A walking safari not only offers the thrill of meeting larger animals on foot, but also gives you the opportunity to get an insight into the lives of smaller beings and lovely details of the African bush. Enjoy snacks in the shade before continuing your hike. In the afternoon you will arrive to a great lunch.
Rest in the coolness of an acacia tree and then continue the walk to Dorobo bushcamp – a small, tented camp with the Masai as your hosts. Bush showers and a sunset drink await around the campfire before you are invited to dinner under the stars. After dinner you are being escorted to your tent.
Overnight Dorobo tented camp.
Early jeepsafari or hiking is on schedule this morning. Enjoy a breakfast in the midst of the wilderness before you get ready for Eagle View Camp. Spend the last night in eco-chic safari tents at Eagle View Camp, beautifully situated on the edge of a water hole. Enjoy a game drive in the afternoon together with a sunset drink while on the savannah – drive back slowly to your camp to avoid missing any animal. Finish the day with a late dinner and end the night around the campfire.
Overnight Eagle View Camp.
Morning coffee and tea at dawn, choose between watching the animals at the waterhole from a jeep or from your terrace. Breakfast followed by check out and a last safari drive before your connecting flight to Nairobi or coast awaits you.
Trip details
Eco rating: 4.5
Hotel standard: 4
Season: June – April
Airport: Nairobi international airport Jomo Kenyatta (NBO)
Length: 4 nights or as long as you wish.
Included: Full board, share in double, safari, walking safari, conservancy entrance fee, domestic flight return Nairobi-Masai Mara.
Not included: Travel Insurance, Visa, immunisation, beverages, activities, items of personal nature etc.
Good to know about Kenya & Masai Mara: It is a big nature reserve in southwestern Kenya that is the continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Masai Mara is named after the Masai people (the indigenous people in the area) and they once described their land, while looking from a far distance, as: “Maa” (Masai language) which represents “Mara” and means “Spot”. It is a compelling description of trees, shrubs, savannah and cloud shadows that marked the area of never ending steppes.
Travel Ethics: In Masai Mara, water is a short supply. Therefor, use it sparingly. Masais are proud people, always ask before photographing. Bring small notes in local currency to shop for local crafts outside the villages. Shake hands with those you meet – a courtesy code here.
Mobile network and email: Email and internet access are available at the lodge. The mobile network works well. Basecamp management ask guests to use it discreetly.
Visa: Visitors to Kenya require a visa (some countries that are exempt). The passport must have at least two blank pages, six months’ validity. Single-entry visas are available upon arrival at Kenyan airports; however, Kenyan Immigration plans to end visas upon arrival in the near future. The traveler is responsible for the visa application.
You can either obtain a visa before departure or apply for a Kenyan visa online.
Currently, the application online is for “Single entry”. Visitors are requested to register their application in good time, as approval may take up to seven business days to process.
E-application: Applications for visitors to Kenya can be done via www.ecitizen.go.ke
Time zone: GMT + 3
Vaccinations: Read more about what vaccinations you need here.
Packing: On safari In Masai Mara you are usually 13-1500m above sea level, nights and evenings can be chilly. Bring a warmer sweater and good walking shoes. It’s advisable to bring a smaller backpack for water, binoculars, camera. Soft bags are easier to pack in the cars you travel in, please note that domestic flights have a max luggage allowance of 15kg pp.
Mosquito nets are available, but please bring mosquito spray.
Local Currency: Kenyan Shilling
Note: Kenya has recently introduced a ban on plastic bags and your bags will be checked as you enter customs upon arrival. Carrying plastic bags or bringing them into the country can cause big fines.
Weather: Weather Masai Mara
Water: Clean water is available at the camp.
Security: Your security is our priority. In Nairobi, do not walk around alone and avoid some places in Down Town.
More information at: Travel Advice Kenya
Ecorating: 4.5
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Does my trip make a difference?
Read more
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Your journey supports the safari lodge using the best eco technical solutions: all lighting, water, heating and electricity in the camp comes from solar energy. Water saving sceptic toilets are used to conserve water. They work with waste separation and recycling in the best possible way. All organic material such as food waste is composted in place and used to fertilise Obama tree plantation. Irrigation of tree plantations is done with “grey water” (left over water from bathing, showers, dishwashing and laundry). This water is almost pure because the camp only uses biodegradable soaps and detergents.
This safari camp offers experiences that differ significantly from many other safari companies/hotels. Apart from classic jeep safaris where you interact with your Maasai guide, you can meet the women behind Basecamp Maasai Brand – a fair trade art project, learn how to make your own bracelet and understand how the women benefit. You will be able to visit the local community with a visit to a school, to a health clinic to the local market. Many of Basecamp’s adventures in the beautiful surroundings of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy are done by foot. Your Masai guide will give you a true experience and a deeper understanding of the Mara, its culture and wildlife.
Your journey will help by creating jobs, 85% of the employees at the camp are local Maasai from the nearby area. The camp invests in social programs such as water, health, education, culture and craft business that produces and sells handmade Masai jewellery. It protects and preserves natural areas through the largest native tree nursery in the Mara where over 80,000 trees have been planted in and around the camps. Ecospheres Forest was initiated in 2016.
As a guest here, you leave a positive footprint by getting involved in these projects. Mara Naboisho Conservancy includes a 26,000 acres large wilderness area. The conservancy area is managed by the Naboisho Masai Community and consists of more than 500 land owners. Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a longterm, transparent and equitable model that ensures that tourism really pays for itself by creating long-term benefits to all. Parts of your park-fees goes directly to the Maasai landowners and their families.
