Bush and Roots
Nairobi | MAASAI MARA | Laikipia | Lamu
Discover Kenya's rich cultural heritage by visiting some of its most iconic sites. Start in Nairobi to see how the past and present intersect. Then, set off into the bush for a safari adventure with the Maasai, and visit their communities in the Laikipia and Maasai Mara. Finally, journey to the tropical beaches of Lamu to explore its fascinating Swahili culture and history.
NAIROBI
Arrive in Nairobi. Named the World’s Best City to Visit in 2024 by Lonely Planet (where you will begin and end your safari).
Vibrant Capital City - Nairobi is Kenya’s bustling, dynamic, cosmopolitan capital. Founded in 1899 by the British, Nairobi embodies the energetic and restless aspirations of a young city while recognizing its complicated past, and does so with a rebellious grace.
Culture and Creativity - Discover the spirit of the city and its people through their creative expression. Nairobi has a growing contemporary arts scene that is garnering recognition worldwide. Whilst traditional crafts and museums showcase Kenya’s cultural heritage.
Contemporary Lifestyle - Spend a day experiencing Nairobi’s eclectic mix of old and new culture, its vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, food and shopping scene. Whatever you choose, a visit to Nairobi will provide a unique perspective on urban African life and leave you feeling better informed.
Activities Include
Visit to an art gallery or collective; artisanal market; the National Museum; Karen Blixen Museum; Bomas of Kenya; National Theatre; world-class restaurants or take a walk in Karura Forest to discover the Mau Mau (Kenyan Freedom Fighters) caves.
ADD-ONS: Through The Eyes of a Local Tour - Urban Safari to discover the city.
LAIKIPIA, IL NGWESI
NAIROBI - IL NGWESI 4H (AIR & ROAD)
Depart by road to Il Ngwesi Conservancy in Laikipia for a unique wildlife and cultural experience. The journey offers a varied and scenic travel experience where the bustling cityscape gives way to the dramatic landscapes of the northern region. Strategic stops will be made along the way.
Community Conservancy - Arrive at Il Ngwesi, a community-owned lodge sitting on 16,500 hectares of land, home to the Il Lakipiak Maasai – ‘people of wildlife’. Truly special, this award-winning enterprise combines eco-tourism with sustainable environmental management and community development.
Cultural Immersion - Explore the six Maasai villages within Il Ngwesi, reflecting a traditional pastoralist lifestyle deeply rooted in the region. Visit a Maasai Cultural Boma to learn about traditional hunting techniques, beading, and honey collecting.
Walking Safaris - Il Ngwesi is a conservancy where you can step out of your vehicle and take part in a range of walking safaris. This is the best way to connect more intimately with the people, wildlife and landscape around you. Sleep under starry skies in the lodge’s famous star beds.
Activities Include
Wildlife viewing; bush walks; traditional hunting; beadwork; night game drives; campfire entertainment; birdwatching; bush breakfast/dinner.
MAASAI MARA
IL NGWESI - MAASAI MARA 1.5H (AIR)
Your journey will take you over the Great Rift Valley and on to the Maasai Mara - the land of endless savanna!
Community Conservancy - You will enjoy an authentically Kenyan experience at Naserian Mara Camp within the outstanding Lemek Conservancy. Run by local Maasai landowners, Lemek promises unrivalled wildlife viewing within a landscape of rolling grassland, hills, riverine forest and acacia bushland.
Big Five - This is true safari country, where you will be able to search for the Big Five (lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinos), along with countless other species.
Maasai Culture - You will gain a deeper understanding of the Maasai culture and their land through guided walks, talks and a visit to a nearby village.
Activities Include
Morning and evening game drives; walking safaris; Maasai cultural experience; night game drive; campfire entertainment; birdwatching; bush breakfast/dinner.
ADD-ONS - Hot air balloon ride
LAMU
LAIKIPIA - NAIROBI 6H (ROAD)
NAIROBI - LAMU 1.5H (AIR)
Fly to paradise and explore the tropical Lamu archipelago on the Swahili coast. Touchdown on Manda Island, where you will be taken by boat across the channel to Lamu’s Old Town, and onward to your hotel.
Swahili Culture - Discover the enchanting mystique and ancient history of Lamu – one of the best-preserved Swahili settlements in East Africa. Lamu is an intoxicating mix of idyllic, tropical beaches, bustling Old Town, delicious seafood, and fascinating cultural traditions that fuse the island’s Arabic and African heritage.
Laid-Back Leisure - And if it’s pure relaxation you desire, then Lamu’s slow and easy-going pace makes it the perfect place to switch off from the modern world. Take a cruise around the archipelago on a dhow, a traditional Swahili sailing boat used for fishing and trade.
Activities Include
Swimming and water activities; Old Town guided tour; traditional dhow trip; visit to Lamu Museum or just relaxing and switching off from the modern world.
CUSTOM PRICING INCLUDES:
Airport transfers
Accommodation
Activities
Domestic Transportation
Entrance fees to National Parks, National Reserves, and Community/Private Conservancies
Expert Sacred Savanna private driver guide for your entire trip
Fully equipped 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser
Supplemental medical emergency insurance (evacuation cover)
Accommodation comes in a wide range of options depending on location. We source the best and have options to suit most budgets.
Add-ons are optional activities offered at an extra cost.