The Maasai Way

Cultural Adventures at their Best

The Maasai Way - Cultural Adventures at their Best

Exploring the rich culture and nomadic life of the Maasai tribe will be one of the most distinctive and remarkable journeys you’ll ever make. This trip allows us to delve into the traditions of the Maasai warriors and to be immersed in their skilful practices that ensure their survival. We’ll learn and practice Maasai traditions such as their medicinal secrets, weaponry powers and animal tracking techniques, amongst other insights. This week will give you a real feel of life as a Maasai warrior at a pace that suits you. With this unique cultural trip we also offer the added touch of elegance by providing you with exclusive bespoke camping that includes four-poster beds and warm fires under the star-filled Kenyan sky.

The Maasai Way - Adventure Highlights

  • Learning the culture and traditions of the Maasai from real Maasai warriors
  • Discover and practice Maasai skills that have been passed down from their ancestors for centuries to ensure their survival, such as:
    • Weaponry and fighting skills (bow and arrow, spear, ‘rungu’)
    • Animal tracking techniques
    • Traditional Maasai medicinal secrets
    • Water tracing methods in barren landscapes
  • Visit the homestead of the Maasai neighbourhood, discover their beliefs and hear about stories of their past from different members of the community
  • Relax in an exclusive camp with fine food, good drinks, warming night time fires and four poster beds with private bathroom and showers

DURATION

8 Days

RECOMMENDED GROUP SIZE

3-8 People

ACCOMMODATION

  • 7 nights in an bespoke exclusive camp

BEST TIME TO VISIT

It’s generally sunny, dry and not too hot for most of the year in Kenya, which means you can visit at any time. The main rainy seasons are from March- May and November- December, but the amount of rainfall varies year to year. If you have a pre-formed group (family, friends or an organisation), we would be delighted to organise a trip around dates that suit your group.

Your itinerary at a glance

Day Destination Accom. (B/L/D) Highlights
1 Arrive Nairobi Exclusive camping (D) A chance to take in the beautiful Kenyan rural landscape
2 Maasai camp Exclusive camping (B/L/D) Meet the Maasai warriors, dress in their clothes and explore their territory
3 Maasai camp Exclusive camping (B/L/D) Learn about Maasai warriors fighting techniques
4 Maasai camp Exclusive camping (B/L/D) Discover the techniques of how to track down an animal
5 Maasai camp Exclusive camping (B/L/D) Absorb the key skills involved in traditional Maasai medicine
6 Maasai camp Exclusive camping (B/L/D) Uncover the survival techniques used whilst living out in the bush
7 Maasai camp Exclusive camping (B/L/D) Meet the Maasai neighbourhood and put your skills learnt throughout the week into practice
8 Return Home (B)

*B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

The Maasai Way - Your Itinerary in Detail

DAY ONE

Once we arrive in Nairobi we’ll make our way to the Maasai camp situated north of the city. This transfer allows you to sit back and relax whilst absorbing the beautiful scenery that Kenya has to offer. We’ll pass through small villages; endless barren landscapes and we may get the chance to observe some native wildlife in its natural habitat. We’ll also be able to view the towering slopes of Mount Kenya that stand tall above the surrounding landscape. The Maasai name for Mount Kenya is ‘Ol Donyo Keri’ meaning ‘The Mountain of Stripes’. This name depicts the contrast between the white glaciers and dark valleys. The Maasai believe that their ancestors came down from the mountain at the beginning of time. Once we arrive at the Maasai camp, we’ll settle into our exclusive bespoke camping and receive a brief by the Expedition Leader regarding the week ahead.

DAY TWO

After breakfast, we’ll meet the Maasai warriors. The Maasai warrior culture is one of the world’s last great warrior cultures and is a great source of pride for the Maasai people. The role of a Maasai warrior is to build ‘kraals’ (Maasai homes), to protect their cattle from predators and to provide security to their families. You’ll be amazed by the Maasai people’s distinctive culture and dress style. They’ll welcome us by offering us to dress in their clothing and we’ll learn about the practical elements of each item of clothing.

The Maasai people strategically select their territory along the game parks of Kenya. When they arrive in a new area they explore it in a certain way, looking for specific traits. After we have lunch, the Maasai warriors will help us explore their current territory in the way they did when they first arrived. Later on we’ll arrive back at camp to watch the sun set over the African plains followed by dinner around a fire.

DAY THREE

Today will be dedicated to learning about the Maasai warriors fighting techniques, which are vital in protecting their livestock and families. The Maasai weapons such as arrows, bows, spears and ‘rungu’ (club weapon) are carved from local hardwoods by the tribe’s craftsmen. The Maasai warriors will give us hints and tips on how to use each of these weapons and hear stories of when these weapons have reined supreme. We’ll also be invited to practice with the weapons by using marked targets such as trees and rocks. Could you be a natural Maasai warrior? These activities are of course optional and carried out with constant vigilance to ensure yours and others safety.

DAY FOUR

Tracking animals is a key skill essential for survival in the Maasai tribe. While some tracking skills can be honed and developed over time, some individuals have a natural ability to read the environment and spot vital signs. This natural ability can define an individuals standing in the Maasai community. Today we’ll learn these skills from some of the most skilled Maasai warriors in animal tracking. By reading signs in the environment we’ll be taught how to tell a species of an animal, the direction and speed of the travelling animal and how long ago it passed through the area. These skills are not only key in finding food for the tribe, but can also be useful in tracking lost livestock or identifying nearby predators. If conditions allow us to, we can also learn how to approach wild animals without being noticed.

DAY FIVE

Like every community world wide, the Maasai have to deal with common illnesses and diseases that arise in their people and livestock. Today we’ll learn about how plants are used in traditional medicine to deal with these ailments. Due to the numerous beneficial properties of plants, such as nutritional and medicinal value, they are extremely valued and treasured in the Maasai world.

Generally older Maasai warriors are very experienced in extracting specific elements of plants for the treatment of certain diseases. In some plants active ingredients are concentrated only in the core of the wood, while in others they are located in the seeds, leaves, stems, flowers or in the roots of the plant. We’ll discover which plants are used to treat the most common illnesses, how to find them and how to extract these important components.

DAY SIX

In the dry season, Maasai warriors have to relocate with their cattle to greener pastures to ensure their survival. This means they have to live in the bush far away from home for 3-4 months at a time. With this, the Maasai warriors have learnt specific skills from their ancestors that allow them to survive in this strenuous landscape. Today, we’ll learn these survival skills, such as how to find water and the best way to start a fire. We’ll also discover how the warriors protect themselves and their cattle from the abundance of predators out in the bush.

DAY SEVEN

After breakfast, we’ll make our way to the living homestead of the Maasai neighbourhood and learn more about the remarkable self-sufficient Maasai way of living. We’ll be introduced to various members of the tribe, each of which has a vital role in their community to ensure their survival. We’ll also meet the tribe elders, who will educate us on their beliefs, their culture and stories of their past.

After lunch we will be given the chance to put all the skills we have learnt over the past few days into practice. At the end of this remarkable day we’ll share local foods with the Maasai warriors and tell stories around the fire under the Kenyan night sky. This will give you a real feel of life as a Maasai warrior.

DAY EIGHT

After breakfast we’ll say our farewell to the Maasai warriors with whom we have spent the week with and make our way back to Nairobi for our flight back home.

Pricing Information

This adventure will depart with a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 8*.

From £7,775.00 per person based on two people sharing (£880.00 single supplement)

Included

  • Expedition Leader from ‘The Adventure Boutique’
  • Local guides, local chefs and porters
  • All scheduled accommodation
  • Scheduled meals
  • All scheduled transfers

Excluded

  • Travel insurance
  • International Flights
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips

A non-refundable deposit of £1,500.00 will be required.

*We can accommodate private groups less than 3 or more than 8 people. Please ring for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are we catered for?

A quality local chef and kitchen team will accompany the group when camping throughout the trip; you will not fail to be anything but amazed by their creativity even in the middle of rural Kenya. You will be provided with proper balanced meals to enjoy, that will be nutritious yet tasty. These meals will be tailored to your dietary needs.

Do I need to tip our local staff?

You do not need to tip the local staff such as chefs and guides. Unlike other companies, we have included the tipping into the price so there are no hidden surprises when you arrive in the country. Tipping the Expedition Leader is at your discretion but will be much appreciated, especially after you witness their dedication and professionalism in looking after you and ensuring your happiness.

Will I require any spending money?

Throughout the experience, you won’t need much spending money as the trip is comprehensively covered in the initial cost. You may require money for the very occasional meal not shown on the schedule and any alcoholic drinks. You may also wish to buy some souvenirs or make a satellite phone call home or for work purposes. It will be best to bring your usual currency and this can be changed into local currency soon after arrival.

What clothing/equipment do I need?

The Adventure Boutique team will give you a full comprehensive kit list when you sign up and be on-hand if you have any questions before the trip.

Do I need special insurance?

You should not need any special type of travel insurance for this trip. Do ensure that your insurance covers the African region. If you do not have adequate insurance cover, The Adventure Boutique team can refer you to appropriate insurers.

Do I need a visa?

This is dependent on your nationality, our team can advise you on this before signing up. British citizens can obtain one, in advance, from the Kenya High Commission, or at the airport on arrival.

Do I need any vaccinations?

Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide. You should take health advice about your specific needs as early as possible. Sources of information include: www.fco.gov.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, www.nathnac.org, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic. Clients travelling to worldwide destinations are recommended to seek advice from the sources mentioned above and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example, Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. Please note that any passenger travelling between South Africa and either Zambia, Tanzania or Kenya (in either direction) will be required to have a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate with them. The vaccination needs to have been given no less than ten days prior to travelling.

How large are the groups?

The group size should be a maximum of eight people. The number of participants is kept to a level where quality can be maintained. We normally have a maximum number so as not to allow the groups to become too large. We strongly believe that by doing this, the Expedition Leaders will be able to look after you more carefully, in turn you will find the group dynamics work much better and your success rate and enjoyment level increases immeasurably. If you are a group of friends of more than eight, then obviously we will work together to accommodate you. If you would like to have a more personalised trip below the recommended group size, we would happy to facilitate this for you too.

What is the minimum age a person has to be to go on this trip?

The minimum age is 16 years old accompanied by a legal guardian or 18 years old otherwise. If you do have children and want to bring them, we would be happy to facilitate this. We would be happy to make necessary arrangements to accommodate a young person into a private group.

Is there a maximum age?

There is no maximum age limit, providing you are fit and in good health.

Will my mobile work? Can I stay in touch with the office or my family?

You’ll find limited phone reception during your trip. We specially carry a satellite phone in case of emergencies, but we also realise people may need to keep in touch with their loved ones or have some work commitments to deal with. The satellite phone can be used for a charge.

Can I organise this trip exclusively for myself, my friends and family?

If you have a group of friends or family who want to travel together, a bespoke date can certainly be arranged to suit your party. If you do have your own group and want to discuss any variations in the schedule or particular objectives, feel free to discuss this with The Adventure Boutique team.