Kenya · Wildlife

8-Day Community and Wildlife Conservation Tour from Nairobi

8 Days Round trip from Nairobi Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Enjoy safaris on foot, by camel ride, or in a 4-wheel drive
02 Meet the women of the Women's Empowerment Centre
03 Get to know the grandmothers of the Kikuyu community
04 Visit a Maasai village and interact with the locals

Spend the first four days of this tour in a wonderfully scenic conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau, north of Mount Kenya, where wildlife conservation goes hand in hand with supporting the local Samburu and Maasai people. Relax at camp while watching animals roam the vast plains below, or head out to explore the remote and beautiful Karisia Hills on a leisurely walk or camel ride. You will also enjoy game drives along the Ewaso Ng'iro River before returning to Nairobi for inspiring community visits with women's groups, Kikuyu grandmothers, and a Maasai family.

Spend the first four days of this tour in a wonderfully scenic conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau, north of Mount Kenya, where wildlife conservation goes hand in hand with supporting the local Samburu and Maasai people.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Luxury

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Nanyuki, Nairobi, Mount Kenya

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Fly to Nanyuki and Arrive at Camp

Pick up from the hotel and transfer to Wilson Airport for the 45-minute flight to Nanyuki, a small town in the scenic foothills of Mount Kenya.
Embark on a 2-hour drive to the camp in eastern Laikipia, to the north of Nanyuki. The camp will be your home for the next four nights.
See zebra, giraffe, and antelope on the open grasslands. The camp features six spacious walk-in traditional safari tents decorated with colourful African furnishings and fabrics.

Day 02

Walking Safaris in Laikipia

Away from roads and vehicles, embark on leisurely walking safaris around the camp and conservancy and take in the wide-open spaces and wildlife that Laikipia is famed for. These might include eland, hartebeest, steenbok, giraffe, Grevy's zebra, and buffalo, and lucky visitors may even spot elephants, lions, and wild dogs.
- Each walking safari is tailor-made to suit guests' abilities, and you can walk for as long as you feel comfortable. You will be accompanied by camels that carry your heavy cameras, refreshments, and day packs.
- Learn about the local ecosystems and traditions from the Laikipia Samburu and Maasai guides. What you do each day is entirely up to you and how you feel. You can walk, ride a camel, or hop in for a 4-wheel game drive.

Day 03

River Game Viewing and Market Visit

Admire the wonderful views across the plains from your tent and the salt lick right beside the camp, which attracts wildlife. There are other activities on offer:
- Go for a game-viewing experience by vehicle along the Ewaso Ng'iro River, which is an excellent spot to watch elephants and other animals coming for drinking water, as well as rock-climbing in the kopjes.
- Visit a local market where all the warriors and women come dressed in their finest adornments.

Day 04

Wildlife Encounters and Community Support

Be enthralled by the sheer number of wildlife sightings you have. Capture some amazing moments, both in terms of wildlife images and also with the local people. Your presence on this safari supports the local people who provide the guiding services, fantastic meals, and who look after all your needs throughout the four days at the camp.

Day 05

Return to Nairobi

After breakfast and a hearty goodbye from the camp team, enjoy the drive back to the airport at Nanyuki. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The hotel will be your base for the next three nights as you head out on three inspiring day trips to meet some remarkable communities in and around Nairobi.

Day 06

Visit the Women's Empowerment Centre

Visit a Women's Empowerment Centre in a developing area towards the west of Nairobi, one of the worthwhile projects. The centre was started by Mary, a Kenyan social worker, who developed this program to help struggling mothers by teaching them a lifestyle, trade, and entrepreneurial skills so they can set up their own businesses. The results have been phenomenal, as the mothers are able to transform into independent business owners and community leaders, and crucially support and keep their families together.
- Spend some time with Mary to learn about her vision and meet some of the proud and resourceful women. The experience will show you how teaching empowerment and skills can lift people out of poverty. The day is likely to be one of the most emotional and inspiring days you will ever have. Be prepared to join in the singing and dancing, which inevitably takes place on such visits.

Day 07

Spend Time with Kikuyu Grandmothers

Visit a rural Kikuyu community of delightful and resourceful grandmothers who will show you their pig-farming operation. Many grandmother-headed households in Kenya care for their grandchildren and other generations of their family in difficult economic circumstances. The initiative aims at improving the livelihoods of the grandmothers by economically empowering them through small-scale farming.
- Sit down with the grandmothers while they cook traditional meals, enjoy some joyful singing and dancing, and listen to their powerful stories about progress and resilience.

Day 08

Experience Life in Maasai Country

Venture into rural Maasai country, where you will meet a family and immerse yourself in the midst of the daily hustle and bustle of village life. Your host will be one of the village elders, who will take you on a tour to explain how the Maasai have managed these precious lands for centuries.
- The women will offer to dress you in traditional Maasai shuka cloth or 'African blanket'.
- The young men, or morans, will explain what it is like being a warrior in Maasai society. They will show you how to throw a traditional spear and the techniques needed to survive in the bush.
Enjoy singing and dancing, which might include the extraordinary jumping dance or 'adumu'. It is how Maasai warriors demonstrate their prowess.
Return to Nairobi, where the tour ends.

Where this trip takes you

Laikipia Plateau, Karisia Hills, Ewaso Ng'iro River, scenic foothills of Mount Kenya

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Nairobi 3 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Pick up from JK International Airport on arrival and transfer to your overnight accommodation at the 5-star Palacina Hotel.
Day 1 transfer from Palacina Hotel to Wilson Airport for your flight to Nanyuki and the start of your walking safari.
Pick up and transfer from Nanyuki Airport to your camp in Laikipia.
4 nights' accommodation and full board at your base camp.
Full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at your base camp.
On day 5, transfers to Nanyuki Airport and, upon arrival in Nairobi, meet and transfer to Palacina Hotel for 3 nights.
Full board while at the Palacina Hotel (breakfast, lunch, and team dinners). Team dinners on nights 5, 6, and 7 at Nairobi restaurants.
Air-conditioned car transfers - each day, we will collect you from your hotel at 9 am and drop you back at about 4.30 pm.
English-speaking Kenyan tour guide.

What's Not Included

Tips and gratuities
International airfares

What to bring

Warm clothes
A sun hat and sunscreen
If you require medication, please bring enough for the tour, as there are no pharmacies close to the venue.

Know before you go

This tour includes a short internal flight to Nanyuki, followed by a drive to Tumaren Camp, where you will be based for 4 days for your wildlife safari.
How much you get involved in is entirely your call, as you can take a walk, get in our 4-wheel drive vehicles, or even hitch a ride on a camel.
You can also decide to stay at camp and let the wildlife come to you, as there is a salt lick next to the camp.

Logistics