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The Kenya Maasai Adventure Trek 2023

Challenge level: 2 out of 5

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When can I go?

5 August - 15 August 2023 On Sale
Duration 11 days

What does it cost?

Registration fee (payable today) Info $523
Remaining amount
Total commitment Info

The Kenya Maasai Adventure Trek 2023

Solo adventurers and families (age 14+) alike are all welcome to join us as we discover the incredible wildlife and culture of the Maasai Mara in Kenya’s Rift Valley.

Starting off with a game walk and boat ride in the Lake Naivasha, we’ll spot an amazing variety of the wildlife Kenya is renowned for, including zebras, giraffes, hippos and loads more.

Then we take to the hills with the incredible Maasai people and become immersed in their beautiful way of life, camping in the Loita Hills and the awesome Maji Moto Cultural Camp.

As if our challenge could get any better, we also get to visit a wonderful school in the Maasai Mara and end the adventure with a visit to two incredible animal sanctuaries: the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage and The Giraffe Centre rescue and rehabilitation centre for giraffes.

Both these charities do wonders to protect and rehabilitate the critically endangered animals and would make perfect choices as the charity you fundraise for (optional).

Giving back to the planet

As a company dedicated to practicing responsible tourism, we're delighted to assure you that we've designed this amazing itinerary especially to give back to the places we visit.

Not only have we picked fantastic suppliers local to the area; but the Maji Moto Cultural Camp we stay in helps to fund sustainability projects in the Maasai Mara. Plus, both the animal rescue and rehabilitation centres we visit use their profits to help the animals in their care and save them from extinction.

Want more time to prepare? Join us on the Kenya Maasai Adventure Trek in 2024.

Your itinerary

Day 1 & 2
UK – Nairobi - Lake Naivasha | approx. 3 hours trekking

Our adventure begins at the airport in London, where we first meet as a group for our overnight flight to Kenya, arriving in Nairobi in the morning. Our fab local ground handler greets us at the airport and together, we transfer to our first night’s hotel right by Lake Naivasha.

All checked in and settled, we head out for an awesome intro to our Kenya Adventure: a gentle Game walk in the crescent island of Lake Naivasha. Make sure to bring your camera and we also recommend binoculars, as we’ll see a breath-taking range of Kenyan wildlife in their natural habitat, enjoying the lake and the lush plant life that surrounds it. Not only is Lake Naivasha a world-renowned destination for birdwatchers, with lovebirds, herons and kingfishers to name a few; but we’ll also get a chance to spot some of the adorable mammals, including zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, impalas and more.

Once we’ve enjoyed this perfect introduction to Kenya’s Rift Valley, we retire to our nearby hotel for our Welcome Dinner and an exciting adventure briefing from our ground handler.

Day 3
Lake Naivasha – Maji Moto Cultural Camp in Maasai Mara

Today, we become yet more enveloped in this extraordinary part of the world. Rising to breakfast at the hotel, we hop on a beautiful boat ride to see more of the wildlife attracted to Lake Naivasha’s waters, such as hippos and even more birds. The birdsong and lapping of water against boat makes a gorgeous morning soundtrack.

Once back on dry land, weo visit a local flower farm. Here, traders group the gorgeous local flowers, ready to export to Europe. It's a fab chance to gain yet more insight into the local way of life. No doubt, it'll give us even greater appreciation of the Kenyan flowers we see in shops back home!

Now enriched with flower power, we transfer to the amazing Maji Moto Camp in the Maasai Mara. Nestled in the heart of the savannah at the base of the Loita Hills, this truly special cultural camp immerses us entirely in the enthralling culture of the Maasai people.

Welcomed into the camp of tents and mud huts surrounded by striking acacia and aloe vera trees by some of the friendliest people you’re likely to meet in your life, we’ll learn more about the Maasai Mara way of life. We’re also likely to see the fantastic projects the Maasai chief, Salaton Ole Ntutu, set up for his people, including education, health, women’s rights, and conservation initiatives, which are funded partly by the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp.

Tonight, we enjoy some brilliant welcome dances by the Maaaai, a world away from the discos and night clubs we see in Britain!

Days 4 - 6
Loita Hills trek with the Maasai | approx 15 - 25km/ 5 - 6 hours per day

Our challenge commences! This morning, we embark on an incredible three-day trek with some of the Maasai people in the camp. Together, we’ll hike into the spectacular Loita Hills that surround the camp and you can bet we’ll glimpse more wildlife on route. The Maji Moto Camp lies right on the migration path, so we’re likely to spot elephants, impalas, wildebeests, ostriches and more.

We'll trek for 5 – 6 hours and cover between 15km – 25km each day, starting early in the morning to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and then relaxing at our camp in the hotter afternoons.

As we walk, we get more awesome insight into the Maasai culture and see how they make use of most of the plants we pass. If they don’t use it as food or medication, it could well be sacred and used in ceremonies or prayer. We’ll also meet more Maasai people as we pass through their farms, where they take care of their goats, sheep and cattle.

Camping by night in the natural peace of the Loita Hills, we’ll see the stars like never before, taste some amazing Maasai food by the campfire and sleep in cosy tents (all equipment provided).

We finish our trek on Day 6 and arrive back at the Maji Moto Camp for a well-deserved rest.

Day 7
School visit in the Maasai Mara

We have yet another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity today to visit a local school in Mara and meet the children. If you like, you can bring books and stationery gifts for them – so if you’ve packed them especially, don’t forget to bring them with you on the day!

Tonight, we camp on the outskirts of the Maasai Mara National Reserve and enjoy the wonderful nature that surrounds us.

Day 8
Game drives in the Maasai Mara

Our last day in the amazing Maasai Mara, we explore it even further on game drives. Covering a much larger area than we could on foot, we get a chance of spotting yet more of the animals that live in the area. Fingers crossed for lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalos and rhinos, among many, many others. We retire for a final night back at the Maasai Moto Camp.

Day 9
Maasai Mara – Nairobi

Today sees us transferring back to Nairobi, where the rest of the day is free for us to spend as we wish in the spectacular capital city of Kenya. You can kick back at the hotel, wander the vibrant city streets or do some last-minute souvenir shopping. As it’s a free day, you need to arrange your own lunch – a fab opportunity to try out a couple of Nairobi’s many restaurants. Tonight, we meet again to enjoy a fantastic celebration dinner in Nairobi and a good night’s rest at a hotel.

Days 10 & 11
Nairobi – Elephant orphanage & The Giraffe Centre – UK

Our Kenyan adventure ends with an absolutely magical day visiting the incredible David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage in Nairobi. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust looks after and raises orphaned elephant babies, until they’re ready to return to the wild. As a registered charity, the David Sheldrick Wildife Trust makes a perfect choice of cause to support on your adventure. You’ll be able to meet the animals you’re helping and learn how their carers keep them happy after their rough start to life!

We also get to visit an equally as awesome rehabilitation centre for rescued Giraffes, namely The Giraffe Centre. This amazing sanctuary provides much-needed protection for the highly endangered Rothschild giraffe. When Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville first set up the centre, there were only 120 Rothschild’s giraffes living in the wild. This incredible charity has helped raise the population to over 300, rehabilitating and releasing them into Lake Nakuru National Park, Mwea National Reserve, Ruma National Park and Nasalot National Reserve. Needless to say, The Giraffe Centre also makes a brilliant charity to support on your adventure.

In the evening, we catch our overnight flight back to the UK. This is where we say our goodbyes and you make your own way back to home sweet home.

*This itinerary is subject to change

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Funding options

Self Funded

Pay the registration fee (£349) and challenge costs (£1,995) + airport taxes/fuel surcharge (approx. £350).

$2,993

Pay the balance

  • Pay a non-refundable registration fee of £349 when you book, which is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the airline.
  • Pay the challenge costs of £1,995 yourself 12 weeks before the challenge starts.
  • Choose to fundraise as much as you can for the charity, hospice or animal sanctuary of your choice with no minimum target, or make a personal donation.
  • The challenge costs cover your flights (not including airport taxes and the fuel surcharge, approx. £350), your food throughout the challenge (except breakfast on Day 2 and your lunch and dinner on Day 9), accommodation, all transfers, guides and medical support, including at least one UK doctor with expedition medicine training.
  • Please also remember to budget for airport taxes and fuel surcharge (approx. £350), your breakfast on Day 2, your lunch and dinner on Day 9 and your visa for Kenya (approx. £50). These won't be covered in the challenge costs, so you'll need to pay them separately.
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Sponsorship

Pay your registration fee (£349) and airport taxes/fuel surcharge (approx. £350), and fundraise £3,990 or more for your chosen charity.

$5,985

Minimum sponsorship target

  • Pay a non-refundable registration fee of £349 when you book, which is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the airline.
  • Commit to fundraising the minimum sponsorship target of £3,990 for a charity, hospice or animal sanctuary of your choice.
  • Your charitable funds must be paid in 12 weeks before your challenge starts.
  • Providing you have raised the funds, the charity you are supporting will pay the challenge costs of £1,995 on your behalf.
  • The challenge costs cover your flights (not including airport taxes and the fuel surcharge, approx. £350), your food throughout the challenge (except breakfast on Day 2 and your lunch and dinner on Day 9), accommodation, all transfers, guides and medical support, including two doctors.
  • Please also remember to budget for airport taxes and fuel surcharge (approx. £350), your breakfast on Day 2, lunch and dinner on Day 9 and your visa for Kenya (approx. £50). These won't be covered in the challenge costs, so you'll need to pay them separately.
  • Please note that not all charities are happy to commit to the minimum sponsorship option. If you choose this option, we contact the charity you want to support on your behalf and explain the process to them. If they are not happy with the minimum sponsorship option, we’ll let you know as soon as possible, so you can choose whether to self fund for the same charity or choose another charity to fundraise for.
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FAQs
The Kenya Maasai Adventure Trek 2023

This challenge is designed for solo challengers and families looking for an amazing goal to train and get fit for. A number of the people who will take part on this challenge will have little or no fitness level when they sign up. Our three-day trek with the Maasai Mara people is the perfect motivation to get fit and have an experience of a lifetime.

As a trek designed for both individuals and families, it's less challenging than our overseas adventures. So it's a great "gateway challenge". Before you know it, you'll be hooked and taking on a longer trek next year!

When you register for the challenge, we'll send you a realistic and achievable training plan, which builds up over time, so you'll be ready and raring to go by the time we jet to Kenya.

Please don't be! Everyone 18 years old or over (by the challenge start date) is more than welcome to sign up solo. If you're under 18, you will need to be accompanied by an adult.

The majority of people will sign up on their own and our Dream Challenges are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and life long friendships made as our groups take on these incredible feats together.

Once you've signed up for the challenge, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone registered for The Kenya Maasai Adventure Trek. Please feel free to use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow adventurers on your training and fundraising. You may also want to reach out to the fellow participants in this group to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.

 

The Kenya Maasai Adventure Trek is our first challenge to welcome everyone aged 14+ to take part. Please note that participants under 18 years old must have adult accompaniment. There's no maximum age limit. One of the amazing things about this challenge is that people of all ages (from 14+) and from all walks of life will come together to do something incredibly special for the causes closest to their hearts. 

Your registration fee of £349 per person is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the airline.

Your challenge costs of £1,995 (i.e.50% of your fundraising target if you choose sponsorship) include:

  • Your flights (not including airport taxes and the fuel surcharge, approx. £350).
  • Food throughout the challenge (except breakfast on Day 2 and your lunch and dinner on Day 9).
  • Accommodation.
  • All transfers and luggage transportation.
  • Entry fees where required.
  • A team of awesome, outdoor remote first-aid trained local guides, porters and Dream Challenges staff.
  • Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead up to and during your challenge.
  • Medical support, including a UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will accompany us throughout the challenge.
  • Your Kenya Maassai Adventure Trek 2023 medal and t-shirt.

You'll need to bring a sleeping bag and you'll, of course, need a pair of walking boots. We will supply you with a comprehensive list of everything you will need to take on the challenge well before your departure date.

We'll camp in comfortable camps throughout the challenge, including the awesome Maasai Moto Cultural Camp, apart from two nights in a three-star hotel in Nairobi (the nights following Day 1 and Day 9).

Yes of course! If you wish to extend your stay, you will need to come out of our group flights (and of course, we would deduct the cost from your balance). Please let us know if you decide to do this at least 14 weeks before the challenge departure date. Drop us an email at events@dream-challenges.com or call us on 01590 646410 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm)

In addition to paying your registration fee (£349) and either self funding your challenge costs (£1,995) or fundraising the minimum sponsorship target (£3,990), you'll need to budget for your:

  • Tourist visa.
  • Airport taxes and fuel surcharges (approx. £350).
  • Personal travel insurance.
  • Gratuities.
  • Optional tours.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Travel to and from the departure airport in London..
  • Breakfast on Day 2 (the day we arrive in Kenya) and your lunch and dinner on Day 9 in Nairobi.

You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance, covering health, accident, loss and repatriation.

Dream Challenges has found an insurance policy that provides appropriate cover for this type of activity and also covers you for cancellation due to medically diagnosed COVID-19. We will send you the details once you have registered.

You can, however, take out your own insurance, providing it covers you for a charity trek in Kenya.

Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate cover for your challenge.

You will also need to arrange your own tourist visa. We'll send you information on how to do this closer to the challenge departure date.

The Dream Challenges team is here to help you achieve your challenge and will support you all the way. We are on hand from the minute you sign up to answer any questions that you may have about your training or the challenge itself.

Once you have registered, we will send you a realistic training programme to help you get fit for the event. The programme builds up gradually as the event gets closer.

We also have fantastic, outdoor remote first aid-trained challenge guides and a UK doctor with expedition medicine training accompanying us throughout the challenge.

As we're not medically trained, we're afraid we can't offer you advice on this. We recommend you contact your GP or your local travel clinic, who will have the latest travel health advice.

We also recommend you visit the NHS Fit for Travel website here, to keep up to date with current travel health news and advice on staying healthy abroad.

NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home 

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two zebras with gorge in the background in a national park in Kenya
herd of zebras in Kenya National Park
Man poses next to Beware Buffalo Hell's Gate sign in National Park with Buffalo skull
two zebras crossing a dirt road in Kenya National Park
ostrich running across African plain
African tribe with neck collars
animal silhouettes in sunset Kenya
baby elephant in elephant orphanage in Kenya
two giraffes peering our from behind a tree in Kenya

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