Maasai Walking Safari & Serengeti

The Liota Hills are one of Africa's last true remaining wildernesses. This region is virtually unexplored and offers a rare glimpse of a world that remains untouched by the human hand. Rolling green hills extend beyond the horizon, many of them covered in rich indigenous forest. Wildebeest and zebra roam across the savannah, always keeping two eyes open for the leopards that stealthily hide in the woodland. Black and white Colobus monkeys playfully swing through the trees, mischievously munching on fruit and then continuing their treetop journey. Gazing down on the plains, it's easy to spot gazelle and impala dotted along the horizon.

These hills have a rich Maasai history and offer an opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime cultural interaction. The Maasai have continued to practice the traditional beliefs that have been passed down for many generations while also tackling the challenges of interactions with western traditions. Young Maasai warriors wear white face paint and feathered headdresses, colorful red blankets and animal skins, while elaborate face piercings are the norm. Your passionate Maasai guides will be eager to share their traditions and culture. You'll hear stories around the fire, learn about living harmoniously in this animal environment, and discover some of their unique beliefs. It's not just about listening, this is a fully immersive experience with one of the world's most unique and remarkable tribes.

Each day is spent exploring ancient Maasai trails with your experienced guides. All the walks are tailored to suit your interests and capabilities, taking you deep into remote African bush that is home to many of nature's most spectacular animals. Every night can be spent at Jan's Camp, on a ridge that overlooks the rolling green hills. Each room is distinctively decorated, offering a unique haven amidst the wilderness, and the diversity of trails from Jan's Camp ensure that each day's walking will be very different from the last. Alternatively, you can choose to set up camp beneath the stars, and go on a multi-day hike through Loita Hills.

Baboons clamber along the hills, leopards lurk in the trees, while great herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle can be found on the plains. On a walking safari you'll see it all at eye level, experiencing nature from the ground. And from this rare vantage point it's even more impressive. There is a thrill to witnessing these scenes and some people incorrectly believe that a walking safari is dangerous. The Maasai have coexisted with nature for millennia and they know exactly how to keep you safe. With one quick glance your Maasai guides will know exactly what animals are nearby. A slight indent in the track suggests wildebeest were on the trail, the ripeness of half-eaten fruit shows that monkeys are close, and footprints always reveal their owners. With a lifetime's experience of tracking animals, your Maasai guides will not only keep you safe, they'll maximize your interactions with the unique wildlife of the Loita Hills.

Tracking animals is just one aspect of the traditional knowledge that you will learn about. Various plants and trees hold healing properties, certain dances have spiritual significance, and a man's wealth is judged by how many cows and children he has. Visit traditional Maasai homes and see how they are constructed from their natural environment. Then don't forget to share your culture. The Maasai are always open to new people and new ideas. As you hike in this unspoiled land you'll be sharing the experience with Maasai who will make an indelible imprint on your memory.

After your hiking experience, head to the Maasai Mara, the traditional home of the Maasai tribe. This is arguably the world's most spectacular wildlife reserve. The grass plains extend beyond the horizon, rocky outcroppings provide a haven for watchful lion prides, while two million sets of hooves arrive here every July to November as part of the Great Migration. These three days will offer the ultimate safari trip to Kenya, and it starts from the balcony of your luxury en-suite tent. Elephants are regular visitors to the Serian mobile camp, while large numbers of big cats live in the surrounding plains. Don't forget the local Maasai. This is their traditional home and it's common to see Maasai out on the plains, their bright red blankets contrasting with the green surroundings.

The experience at Serian Camp is all about viewing wildlife and there are no set schedules. You are free to create your own timetable and itinerary, including day and night game drives, and walking safaris. This flexibility is combined with your guide's knowledge of the environment, and enables each day to be tailored to any particular interest. Consider a nighttime safari search for nocturnal creatures and iconic scenes beneath the moonlight. Maybe focusing on a particular animal that has always fascinated you? The camp is all about allowing you to explore nature in your own way and at your own pace.

And what nature there is to explore! Great numbers of elephants roam with abandon, cute babies and youngsters indicating the health of their herd. Hairy buffalo stand impassively, their great curled horns suggesting their age and social standing.  During the Great Migration, hooves kick up dust and the grass becomes hidden beneath a patchwork quilt of zebra, wildebeest and Thompson's gazelle. At all times of year the number of animals here is staggering. Cheetahs sprint across the plains, seeking out youngsters separated from the herd. Spotted hyena have a charm that defies their portrayal in popular fiction like the Lion King. A large lion yawns beneath a tree, showing off ferocious teeth as the women from the pride go out hunting. These three days will show you nature like you've never seen it before.

It's not just about what you see. Nighttime brings an encompassing tranquility, the silence broken by a lion's roar or an elephant's harried growl. The camp blends unobtrusively into the landscape and ensures that none of nature's sounds get lost. Each tent is furnished in traditional safari style, offering an eco experience that combines comfort with nature. They come with thick wooden floors and carpets, as well as en-suite long drop toilets and hot bucket showers. This camp is regularly frequented by wildlife filmmakers and famous photographers, and you'll understand why after experiencing the nature that is literally on the doorstep.

Note that this itinerary includes an option for both six night and nine night trips, meaning that the trip can match a wide range of budgets. The six night trip finishes after the Maasai Mara while the nine day itinerary continues to the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Serengeti is a name that ignites the imagination. It derives from the Maasai word “Siringet,” meaning “endless plains” or the “place where land runs on forever.” It only takes one glance towards the horizon to show how accurate Maasai names can be. Wildlife spotting is easy in this environment. Giraffes can be spotted from miles away, their necks almost looking like rockets pointing to the moon. Huge herds dot the plains, with wildebeest and Thompson's gazelle greedily feeding on the fresh grass. Classic safari scenes play out at the waterholes, where grazing wildebeest beat a quick retreat as a lion pride approaches for a drink.

The Maasai Mara and Serengeti are essentially the Kenyan and Tanzanian names for the same ecosystem. The Great Migration involves over two million animals that move through these two parks, calving their young in the Southern Serengeti before venturing north to the Maasai Mara, and then completing their annual cycle by returning to the Serengeti. But the Maasai Mara and Serengeti offer very different experiences. The smaller Maasai Mara offers a greater concentration of wildlife, but the vastness of the Serengeti offers a beauty that is almost impossible to comprehend.  The grass seems to stretches forever. Zebras canter through the grass. A lone leopard hides in the grass. A bull elephant aimlessly drifts along the grass.  Then unmistakable herds cover the grass, slowly coming towards the safari truck and filling the air with a blanket of dust.

The Serian North Camp is ideally situated, offering unobstructed panoramas of this spectacular animal kingdom. It effortlessly combines comfort and style, as well as blending naturally into its surroundings. Each day you can go on game drives that explore different parts of the Serengeti. Hippos bathe in hidden pools, keeping just their snouts above water during the day, but roaming the banks at dusk. Experienced guides know where to find the endangered rhinos, while an assortment of antelope species are easily spotted. The Serian North camp is about individual service and amazing guides, the combination ensuring that every guest has a tailored safari experience. Game drives can be made in search of any elusive animal that has not been ticked off your list. Furthermore, the opportunity to witness raw hunting scenes is one that makes the Serengeti an attraction not to be missed!

Lions dominate this landscape, the size and health of their prides showing just how good a hunting ground the plains can be. They'll happily spend a few days lounging and sleeping, often resting under the shade of a safari truck or isolated tree. When hungry, they're ignited into action, the females stalking their prey before pouncing from close range. Lions aren't the only predator gorging themselves on the great herds. Cheetah, leopard, hyena and wild dog, are all easily found over three days on a Serengeti safari. At first, most people's eyes dart and wander, taking in the many mammals that are scattered across the plains. But often, the most memorable part of being in the Serengeti is gazing out onto the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. Because when the eyes stop wandering, a natural world slowly plays out from the camp balcony and it always brings a cast of wandering mammals.

See reviews of Kenya safaris for additional information and ideas!