Kenya’s unending diversity of landscapes overlaps in one exciting, warm package, including grassy savannas, shallow lakelands, snow-capped highlands, the Great Rift Valley, and golden coastlines. Nairobi, the vibrant capital of the country and the site of the gorgeous Nairobi National Park, is a common place to begin. Take a safari excursion to get a chance to witness herds of zebra, buffalo, and wildebeest moving over an open plain. This park is one of many that make up the sizable Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In the south, in Amboseli National Park, which receives water from the streams of the towering Mount Kilimanjaro, lions, elephants, and giraffes are drawn by the thriving wetland ecosystem it has created. The sizable Tsavo National Park, which is along the shore and is home to stunning landscapes and more abundant and diverse animals, is there. The coastal city of Mombasa, a multiethnic port where residents from all sides of the Indian Ocean coexist, is located beyond this. Safaris can be taken by automobile, bus, or airplane in Kenya, and visitors can stay in places ranging from opulent resorts to rustic tent camps.
The Maasai were the dominating tribe at the beginning of 20th century. They are one of the very few tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lifestyle and lore. In common with the wildlife with which they co-exist, the Maasai need a lot of land. The Maasai are easily recognizable for their brilliant red blankets and colorful bead jewelry. These semi-nomadic people are warrior pastoralists, famous for herding – and sometimes rustling – cattle, and for their fighting skills.
Patriarchy is quite prevalent in the Maasai civilization. All significant decisions for Masai tribes are made by Masai males and elders. The quantity of kids a man has and the number of livestock he owns are used to gauge his prosperity. It is best to have more. Traditionally, their diet has consisted of their cattle’s raw meat and milk (and at times also of the blood in times of drought). The bones are used to produce tools, while the hides are utilized to make furniture. The Maasai dress themselves with color swatches of fabric called “Shkà.” The music and dance of the Maasai are incredibly vibrant. The mothers are renowned for singing songs of adoration for their boys, humming, and reciting lullabies.
The Maasai tribe, who have traditionally been nomads, have relied on locally available resources and technology to build their odd and intriguing homes. The Maasai traditional house was made for people who were constantly on the move, making their homes incredibly flimsy. Women construct the dwellings, which are either round or loaf-shaped. The men constructed a circular Enkang (fence) around their hamlet to safeguard their cattle from savages at night.
Maasai village
The Maasai people practice monotheism, and their God is called Engai or Enkai. He is primarily benevolent and reveals himself in various colors depending on how he is feeling at the time. The implications of the aforementioned hues are clear: black and dark blue denote God’s goodwill toward humans, whereas red symbolizes God’s annoyance.
Maasai Clothes: Clothes vary depending on the place, age, and sex. Following circumcision, young males dress in all black for several months. In spite of this, the Maasai prefer the color red. In addition to multicolored African clothing, black, blue, checkered, and striped clothing is also worn. Sheepskin, calf hides, and other animal skins were started to be replaced by more commercial materials by the Maasai in the 1960s. In the Maa language, the fabric that is used to encircle the body is referred to as shkà.
Jewelry is an integral aspect of the Maasai women’s body decoration, and they frequently weave and bead jewelry. Both men and women wear metal hoops on their elongated earlobes. Ear piercing and ear stretching are further features of Maasai beauty.
Experience 3 national parks over 6 days and get your Kenya tour here. You will be introduced to a wide variety of animals, from Maasai Mara’s big cats to the flamingos of Lake Nakuru.
Tour details:
Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park (L, D)
You will be picked up from your hotel between 7:30 AM-8:00 AM, at which point you will travel to the Amboseli National Park, arriving in time for lunch. Afterward, you’ll proceed to an afternoon game drive which will last until around 6:30 PM.
Day 2: Full Day at Amboseli National Park (B, L, D)
You will have the entire of your second day to explore the park, with a break to enjoy a picnic lunch. Amboseli National Park is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kenya, and is often referred to as the “Home of Elephants”.
Some of the largest elephant herds are found here, and the game park also contains zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, and antelope.
Day 3: Amboseli to Lake Nakuru National Park (B, L, D)
Departing Amboseli in the morning, you will travel via Nairobi for lunch before driving to the Great Rift Valley, stopping to view the scenery along the way. You will soon arrive at Lake Nakuru, which is also referred to as the Pink Lake due to its number of flamingos. After arriving in the evening, you’ll proceed to take a game drive, followed by dinner and overnight at the Lake Nakuru guest house. Lake Nakuru’s claim to fame is anchored on its flamingos, as well as over 400 species of birds found there.
The lake itself is a soda (or alkaline) lake on the floor of the Rift Valley. The lake has also earned a reputation as an important haven for endangered species.
Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve (B, L, D)
Begin with an early-morning game drive in which where you can watch and photograph birds and animals. Following that, you’ll enjoy breakfast before departing for Maasai Mara. You will arrive there in time for lunch, before later heading out on an afternoon game drive.
Day 5: Full Day at Maasai Mara National Reserve (B, L, D)
Following breakfast, leave the camp and proceed for a whole-day game drive. You will have a picnic lunch, and will also cover the Mara River.
Day 6: Maasai Mara to Nairobi (B, L)
On your final day, you will travel from Maasai Mara back to Nairobi.