Let the adventure begin! After breakfast on day three we load up the donkeys, lace up the hiking boots and head out on the four day trek that begins in the jungle like forests of the Loita Hills and ends in the animal spotted grasslands close to the Masai Mara. Along the way there will likley be magical encounters with a wide array of wildlife. Zebra, impala, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle are the most commonly encountered larger creatures, and there’s always a wealth of birdlife to be seen (our head guide for these walking safaris is highly knowledgeable on the local bird life) as well as many smaller creatures that range from mongoose to lizards, praying mantis to dung beetles. But this adventure isn’t just about the wildlife. People are perhaps even more prominent in this journey than wildlife. The Loita Forests, and the hilly lands leading down toward the Masai Mara are probably the most traditional remaining corner of Maasai land in Kenya. If you’re open to the invitations, you’re likely to meet a remarkable cast of individuals from traditional healers to genuine Maasai moran (warriors), as well as dozens of people still living a traditional shepherding lifestyle. Out here we’re far removed from any established tourist trail and what you will witness is unfiltered traditional Maasai culture as it crashes headlong into a modern, connected world. And so, as well as meeting representatives of the old ways you’re also likely to meet the highly educated, skilled and worldly wise new generation of Maasai. The teachers, political leaders, doctors, conservationists and others who are reshaping contemporary Maasai life and culture. As none of these people are directly connected with Samgai Journeys we cannot guarantee who you will meet as you walk, but one thing is for sure: The sight of a tourist walking through this remote corner of Maasai land is so unusual that everyone we encounter is certain to want to stop and chat. 

On most days we will walk for around five hours. The pace is slow and relaxed with plenty of time to stop, chat, drink tea with locals or veer off our intended route to climb a nearby hill or pause to watch a chameleon blending and melding into its surroundings. Lunch will normally be a picnic. When we get to our chosen night stop snacks and drinks will be served while our team get to work setting up camp. Later in the evening a full hot dinner will be served, and you’ll be entertained by your guides with stories of days past. Most nights you’ll go to bed early and wake with the dawn sun for a filling breakfast as camp is packed up and another day of unknown possibilities unfolds.

Wildlife is an ever-present feature of these walks and although there are buffalo, elephant, lion and leopard out there, for most of this walk it’s very unlikely that you’ll encounter any of these potentially dangerous creatures at close quarters. The last day though takes us to the edge of the wildlife conservancies that surround the Masai Mara and here the wildlife – including large numbers of elephant as well as prides of lion – are abundant. Don’t worry though, our guides no exactly what they are doing and how to keep you safe!

On the evening of Day Six we will arrive in the large village of Sekenani right on the border of the Masai Mara. Our accommodation on this last evening is in a Maasai homestay. Hot showers are available at the homestay and we use proper beds. Average walking speeds over the previous days might mean that the very last part of this journey is done by vehicle. Our aim when designing this journey was to fit it into a week, but if you want to be absolutley sure of walking the entire way then we would recomend adding an additional day or two to the overall itinerary.