Kenya’s Desert, Wildlife, and Beaches in 15 Days – Day 8
The first seven days in Kenya was full of adventure, starting from Nairobi to Nakuru. First, we spent two days in Nairobi. Then, we started our Kenya safari by a customized 4 x 4 pop up top Land Cruiser jeep with John and Jumah. John is our driver-cum-guide, and Jumah is our cook-cum-guide. We visited Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Buffalo Springs and Samburu National Reserves. We headed to further north to Loiyangalani and stayed by Lake Turkana. On the way up, we stayed one night in Marsabit National Park. On the way down, we stayed one night in Maralal. Then we camped in Lake Nakuru National Park. The last half of the trip includes the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve and the beaches of the west coast. But before that, we had booked an overnight stay in Maji Moto Eco Camp to experience life through the eyes of Maasai people.
Highlights of the Day
- Goodbye Lake Nakuru National Park
- Changing the Vehicle
- Check-in at Maji Moto Eco Camp
- Experiencing the Maasai Culture
Goodbye Lake Nakuru National Park
The time spent in Lake Nakuru National Park – its game-drive and its campsite – was incredible. We were lucky to see various endangered animals and pink flamingos during the game drive on the previous day. In the morning, we woke up to the chirping of the birds. We had pasta from the previous night for breakfast. Trust me, when you are camping, it is better to cook more in the night. This helps to keep you hassle-free and on time if you plan to leave early the next morning.
It was a 4-h drive to Maji Moto Eco Camp from Makalia Falls Public Campsite, where we stayed overnight. We left at around 8 AM and took a break at John and Jumah’s vehicle office. Wondering why?
Changing the Vehicle from Land Cruiser to Range Rover
All these days, we had a fully-equipped diesel-run Land Cruiser. It was big with 8 seats, 5 doors, and 3 roof hatches for the best safari feeling. However, recently, we were unable to open or close one of the doors. That seemed risky if we take the vehicle to Maasai Mara. We had two options: either fix the door problem in a mechanic shop in Nakuru or change the vehicle from their office in Nakuru. The former option could take an hour or more, and the latter option seemed to take little time. So, John took a small detour to the outskirt of Nakuru to their office to change the vehicle. Unluckily, they had only Range Rovers available. Without wasting much time, we shifted our luggage to the Range Rover.
Before reaching Maji Moto Eco Camp, we fueled up our vehicle at Narok town. This was needed as after this, we would refuel only after visiting Masai Mara National Reserve. You can get fuel from Mara Serena Lodge inside the Mara Triangle, but that has an added price.
Arrival in Maji Moto Eco Camp
Maji Moto is located in the Loita Hills of southwest Kenya, a 4-hour drive from Nairobi. It is on the way to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Therefore, for travelers intending to visit the Masai Mara, Maji Moto is a perfect place to rest and acclimate yourself to the region.
However, we arrived here from Lake Nakuru National Park with a small stop in between. The drive included stunning views of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. We reached at around 1 PM.
Inside the Maji Moto Eco Camp
On our arrival, Parsaloi Nkurumwa – the chief host here at Maji Moto Eco Camp – welcomed us. He is a Maasai tribesman from the Purko clan, a very eminent clan in the Maasai community. He introduced us to other people of the tribe. One of them showed us around the kitchen, shared bathrooms, and finally he took us to our tents that we had booked in advance. John and Jumah set up their camping tents on the camping ground. Shortly, we headed to the open dining area, where lunch was served hot.
Activites with the Maasai Tribe
The regular stay in Maji Moto Eco Camp includes three meals a day, nature and cultural walks, wildlife tracking, local school visit, hot spring bathing, and free use of a mountain bike.
After lunch, one of the Maasai tribal men came up to us to explain the plan. We had an option to relax after lunch and go for a nature walk with him the next morning or go for it right after lunch. But we chose to go for it right then.
More Activities in Maji Moto Eco Camp
There are other activities in the camp, like mountain biking, though we did not get time for that. There are many mountain bikes (helmets too) in the camp for short trips away from camp. The staff includes several expert cyclists who will lead you on these journeys. We relaxed for a while.
In the evening, they showed us some Maasai warrior training and also traditional jumping dance. If you want something romantic, you can enjoy a Sundowner at an extra cost, gazing west over the savannah toward the Masai Mara and the setting sun.
Evening Activities in Maji Moto Eco Camp
After sunset, the Maasai tribemen would show us how to light fire. There would be some more singing and dancing around the bonfire. Finally, dinner would be served at 8 PM.
If you still have energy left, you can go for a game drive at night around the Loita hills. This often gives you the chance to see many of the smaller animals rarely seen on daytime game drives. For example, you get to see bat-eared fox, bush baby, honey badger, mongoose,
jackal, spring-hare, or striped hyena. And if you are lucky, then you can also see aardvark, leopard, or lion. However, we did not choose for this as we were keeping all the excitement for Masai Mara game drive the following day. We soon fell asleep after dinner in our respective camping tents.
Total distance covered: 150 km.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN USD)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 8 in Kenya – Maji Moto Eco Camp.
- Stay at Maji Moto Eco Camp (1 night) for twin sharing: 105
- Petrol: 20
Total expense (roughly): 125 USD
For a more customized itinerary, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
Very well written wth good pictures to compliment the good words. The whole location is so fierce and full of raw nature. The group picture is especially so amazing. We had the best time ever. Africa is a beautiful land and experiencing it with all of us was too cool. John, Jummah and Akriti were all rad and hope that it leads to long lasting friendships. We really explored Kenya. Bring it on. We are looking at bigger things now. Thanks for always being a part.
Yes Richie, I am soon going to write about our Masai Mara experience. Wait for it!
You are awesome and the Safari shreya :-*
Thanks Jyoti!
This is awesome !!!! <3
Oh thanks!
What a rich and cultural experience! Your videos really helped me live vicariously through your experience. I loved the pictures of learning the jumping dance. The Masai culture is so intriguing and I’m jealous that you go to learn so much about it. I can’t wait to plan my own trip to Kenya and hopefully learn more about their culture!
Glad you liked them.
Oh wow this was awesome! First off, LOVED the pictures – it really gives you a sense of what to expect. I think it’s so cool that you got to spend your time with the locals, and really immersing yourselves in the culture – SO cool! I think the best part for me would be the hot springs and the outdoor shower – for some reason, there is nothing more luxurious than an outdoor shower! 🙂 – Lauren
So happy to know that you have liked it.
I love these pictures, from composting toilets to natural showers, it’s incredible how resourceful we can be. The Maasai are an amazing tribe and I’d love to meet them. It’s on my bucket list!
They are really cool.
Such a neat cultural experience! I’ve always wanted to visit Kenya! Where has been your favorite place you’ve been in Africa so far?
Masai Mara it is!
One of my biggest regrets from my trip to Tanzania was not spending more time immersing myself in the Maasai culture more. I would love to stay at Maji Moto and better understand the culture of the Maasai people and see how they live on a day to day basis. This is such a cool experience, so thank you for sharing it with us!
Yes, never mind, plan a trip to Kenya now. I am sure you would love it.
I love this series of yours in Kenya! It brings back memories of mine when I was there in the early 2000-ies. I remember visiting a Masai village as well, memories for life!
Next is Masai Mara, hope you will like it too.
One of my bucket list items. The photos and videos really helped to highlight the beauty and the magic of the camp. I want to enjoy the hot spring showers and the jump dance. I will certainly look into this when we plan our Safari.
Glad you found them helpful.
This sure seems like rich and cultural experience! You’re making me want to visit Kenya more and more with every next article. You sure did a great job of highlighting the beauty and the magic of the camp. Thank you for this lovely read and keep up the great work
Thanks Daniel.
What a wonderful way to experience the Massai culture. I liked the way they gave you options and showed you lots of their heritage. I quite liked the facility and meal options but I kept thinking this was an out of reach experience for me. The price blew me away! This is affordable! Going back to read your other posts about this entire trip.
Yes, the price is truly affordable.
I totally love your pictures of Kenya. I will go through your Keyra series articles all over again when i plan my trip. The idea of converting feces to compost is great. thanks for such a detailed and interesting account.
You can contact me anytime if you need any help planning the itinerary.
I liked everything about it! The friendly guards the eco hotel and the tribesman in traditional dresses. This is indeed a very interesting trip. I am still to make it to Africa, never been there.
Glad you liked it Alexander.
It sounds like a great experience, I so want to do a safari!!
Safaris are why Kenya is so famous for.
For just $125 you have all this experience that is awesome and affordable. You experience a genuine travel that many of us is dreaming!
Yes, it is not that expensive.
It’s wonderful that you got to experience the culture of the Maasai tribe. This is something I always look for when I travel – experiencing indigenous tribes and their culture. Such an amazing experience this seems.
You are right Tamshuk.
Looks like this is a pretty special place, thanks so much for sharing this with us!
My pleasure!
This looks like such an incredible experience, your pictures are amazing and really feel like they tell the story of your journey! The food also looks so rich and satisfying, and I think visiting the school with the wind power would be fascinating, too bad it was on holiday when you were there.
Yes, I really wanted to meet the kids.
Never been to Kenya but always wanted to go. Enjoyed reading our article, keep sharing 🙂
Sure!