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Maasailand Prides Land is honored to host you on this exciting, once in lifetime adventure. Please take time to read this background information for Ilotot e MAA (MAA Journeys) program.
ILOTOT e MAA (MAA Journeys)
DAYS/NIGHTS: 11/12 PROGRAM
Level: Moderate
(Minimum: 8 pax)(Maximum:16 pax)
Maasailand Prides Land is honored to host you on this exciting, once in lifetime adventure. Please take time to read this background information for Ilotot e MAA (MAA Journeys) program. MAA’s goal is to give you a memorable experience without compromising the culture of the Maasai people. Our indigenous, highly experienced guides are at hand 24/7 to insure that you benefit from your trip to the fullest.
Background:
Maasailand Prides Land is one of the most experienced and highly regarded tour companies in Kenya and Tanzania. “MAA” (our acronym) also stands for the language spoken by our Maasai people. According to the ministries of tourism in Kenya and Tanzania, 80% of the region’s tourism happens in Maasai territories in the two countries.
Subsequently, MPLA indigenous knowledge of our landscapes, wildlife, culture, and the tourism sector, as well as our inextinguishable desire to give our clients unadulterated cultural and wildlife experience have made MAA the company of choice for many serious travelers to this region.
Our Corporate Social Responsibility:
While our operations are governed by strict business ethics, we see the tourism industry as an important sector capable of transforming the lives of our community through support of community cultural and nature preservation programs. As a leading source of foreign exchange for our two countries, “tourism” can become a catalyst for equitable development, instrument for advancement of indigenous environmental, cultural and social rights, and economic empowerment of impoverish local communities.
MAA works with our people and community-based organizations, particularly the Institute for Maasai Education, Research and Conservation (IMERC) and Mara Native Guides Association (MNGA). As multi-faceted program, grassroots organizations MERC and MNGA are dedicated to the protection of traditional land rights of the Maasai people, and to the conservation, management and sustainable use of the land and its natural resources.
These special partnerships serve as models for transforming safari operations in East Africa by establishing standards that create more meaningful and memorable cross-cultural experiences for travelers that directly benefits our Maasai hosts.
Educational Itinerary
Ilotot e is an interactive program that calls for the participation of clients in the unique activities specially designed for your enjoyment and learning. These activities are specific to this program:
Day 1--2: Departure from Home and arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
Depart from home and arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. You will be met by MAA guide and transferred to the Eka Hotel for overnight.
We shall spend next day to relax and let your mind and body time to adjust to this different time zone. There is an opportunity to explore Nairobi and MAA would be happy to arrange for you these optional activities, which are not included in your program cost.
Accommodation: Overnight at Eka Hotel (BB). Diner on own account.
Day 3-4: NAIROBI—NAROK—Community Projects
After breakfast, we head out going north and then west to begin a 2000 meters descend into the floor of the Great Rift Valley towards the town of Narok, the county headquarters for Maasailand. Our cultural adventure begins as soon as we arrive in Narok, a comfortable drive of about 21/2 hours. We begin with a church service at a local evangelical Church to experience western religion as practiced by sections of the indigenous Maasai people. We shall contrast the obvious cultural and spiritual clash between the western religion and animism, which is still practiced by the largest population of the Maasai people.
Lunch at Seasons Hotel and then a free-relaxed afternoon. Prior to diner that evening, we shall attend a detailed orientation talk by MERC’s community program officer. These discussions will highlight current affairs, development, and other important aspects of the Maasai life. We shall also highlight the coming day’s activities as well as give a detailed cultural background to compliment this program’s Pre-departure and recommending readings information already sent to you. (Please bring your pre-departure package, as we shall regularly refer to the information contained in the materials.)
Diner: We shall be hosted for dinner at one of our associates upper-class family home and meet Maasai political, industry, traditional and church leadership. The Meal will be an assortment of typical African cuisine (although we can accommodate dietary needs for those with special needs.) You are requested to let us know in advance of your dietary needs.
The following morning takes us to the heartland of the Purko Clan—the most dominant of the Maasai clans in this region.
Today’s program will take us to two projects; Erusiai Community Water Project and Dispensary, and Eorr Emayian Community Children and Water Project.
The water projects are partnership projects of MERC, Rotary Clubs in Arizona and Rotary and Rift Valley Services Board and the Government of Kenya.
The dispensary and children program, which serve communities spread over an area of 30sq kilometers were the initiative of MERC and funded by individuals and friends of the Maasai in the United States. These projects have transformed the lives of our communities over the last 9 years. We shall hear (firsthand) the heartwarming stories of the positive impacts of these projects on the education, health and economic development of the beneficiary communities!
These visits lay the foundation for in-depth ongoing discussions on a wide range of issues including health, economics, non-profits, culture, environment, church, and the state. The community will be at hand to receive us and share their successes and challenges. This interaction is followed by a dance and celebration of your visit.
Accommodation: The Narok Seasons Hotel (Full Board)
Day 4/5/6/7: NAROK– MAASAI MARA (Learning Days)
After breakfast the next day, we drive south through the sparsely settled region of Maasailand towards the Maasai Mara Game Reserve—the 7th World’s Wonder— arriving in time for lunch at Mara Sarova Camp. During our three days’ stay, we shall:
· Explore Maasai Mara’s amazing wildlife habitat in great depth
· Observe elephants, giraffes, prides of lion, and thousands of impalas, topis, grant's and Thomson's gazelles and almost all wildlife species that inhabit Africa’s Savannah
· Learn from our native guides, game wardens, the Rhino Protection Program officers about their challenges and success in conservation work
· Hold discussions with conservationists and community members, and
· Imagine the present and future of this global heritage and efforts to preserve it for posterity.
ON THE MOVE!—The Mara is where the annual migration of millions of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and giraffes takes place: from the Mara to the Serengeti plains in search of water and grasses. Your trip coincides with this spectacle and you will be thrilled!
Day 3 of our program takes us to Siana Boarding Primary school, a local Maasai school that serves as a model for harmonization of modern education with Maasai cultural traditions. It is one-of-a-kind experience as students entertain you with traditional dance and relate their life experiences through English and Maa poems. It will be a memorable visit as we demonstrate the positive role western education plays in cultural preservation while providing modern knowledge to the young and coming generations of our indigenous Maasai people!
You will also learn about the Maasai children unstoppable determination to get an education and the challenges they must overcome to get to school each day: their morning journey means walking long distances without food and water across wildlife-infested bushes risking their lives to get to class and then back home each evening.
You will hear from the teachers about their leadership role in supporting “girl-child” education and general efforts to make education accessible to the marginalized indigenous Maasai people.
OUR GOAL is that by the time, we leave the Mara, you will have:
· Had a rare opportunity to experience and learn firsthand from real Maasai warriors,women, educators, policy makers, park management, political and spiritual leaders, children and elders.
· Had an unsurpassed game viewing experience and learned about the various wildlife species and their habitats, and interaction with people and livestock in their habitat.
· Acquired knowledge and made connections to Maasailand and with its people for a long time to come.
Your program director/leaders are political leaders; renowned environmentalists/conservation activists; educators; knowledgeable and respected members of the Maasai community; international award winners; and passionate human and indigenous land rights crusaders.
Optional
While in Mara, you will have the option to float above the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem on board a hot air balloon followed by a gourmet champagne breakfast. Let us know is interested. However, due to high demand, it would be best to know this in advance by including ( a non-refundable) deposit of $200 per person at time of booking. Total balloon cost is $495 per person.
Accommodation: Mara Sarova Camp, Mara (Full Board)
Day 8/9: MAASAI MARA—NAIROBI--AMBOSELI
This is your last early morning Game Drive (Day 8). After breakfast, we fly back to Nairobi arriving 45 minutes later at Wilson Airport to connect our mid-morning flight to Amboseli National Park. (Under special circumstances, we may connect our flight to Amboseli in early afternoon.)
To allow for some rest before we begin another active and adventurous segment of our program, we have deliberately planned no activities after our mid morning or mid afternoon arrival at Amboseli
Amboseli is famed for the most studied elephant population and other wildlife species such as zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, giraffe, Eland, lions, and leopards. The Amboseli community is the least affected by modernity and continue to live nomadic life as well as practice our ancient traditions such as moranhood and sacred ceremonies. We shall spend time visiting villages, and taking nature walks along the borders of the park with the Maasai warriors.
Upon arrival and check in at Oltukai Lodge, enjoy some free time and observe (from within the lodge premises) elephants, buffaloes, zebras, gnus, wildebeests, and other plains game as they grazing in lash green swamps. If we are lucky, Mt. Kilimanjaro should be out smiling and welcoming us to its northern foot: Mt. Kilimanjaro is located south of Oltukai and Serena Lodges and its breathtaking view is unforgettable.
At 4pm, we shall take a relaxed game drive to the Observation Hill to have a bird’s view of Amboseli National Park and Mt. Kilimanjaro environs. With the largest population in Kenya and most studied elephants in the world, Amboseli provides a special moment to observe elephant social and feeding behavior as we come across large family units grazing in the swamps or just walking across the park.
Day 9 will be full of exciting activities. After an early morning game drive and breakfast, we take a short walk or drive to the source of Enkongu Narok (Clear Waters) spring located on the boundary of the Park and Maasai communal land.
For the walking, birding, and cultural enthusiasts or inquisitive thinkers, this moment gives you an precious opportunity to learn from the real Maasai warriors’ traditional knowledge. We urge you to partake in Other Activities specially designed for MAA guests! We shall observe elephants, wildebeests, zebras, buffaloes, impalas and other resident species while during the walk. (Our vans will be at hand to drive those that may not be able to walk at all or those that decided to walk shorter distance.
This engaging walk last 30-45 minutes and end at the Enkongu Narok Village. Here, you will experience the Maasai culture a special way as we are welcomed to the village by tens of men, warriors, women, and children. Dancing, learning and cultural immersion will be the highlight of this visit. Get back to the lodge in the evening for in-depth debrief by the bonfire!
Accommodation: Diner and Overnight at the Lodge.
DAY 10/11: AMBOSELI-NAIROBI— Evening Flight Home
Day 10 (mid-morning) takes us to the Amboseli Elephant Research Project located a few minutes from our lodge. We learn from the field officers who have been involved in the project for over 30 years. Their scientific knowledge of elephants and physical recognition of almost every family unit has to be heard to be believed. Each of the families has their special story, which will be shared with us in details by our hosts. It is a truly special opportunity to learn about the elephant’s biology, threats, and global conservation effort to save them from extinction.
We return to the lodge and prepare to bid farewell to Amboseli National Park and our warriors and friends we shall have made during this cultural adventure. We arrive Nairobi in late morning on Day 11. The rest of the day is free.
Accommodation: Eka Hotel (B/B). Lunch and Dinner on own account.
Day 11: For those that may still be having some energy left, there is an option to do Nairobi Excursions (not included in Safari costs). These included
· Giraffe Manor
· Karen Blixen Coffee Farm
· Elephant Orphanage
· Museum and Snake Park
· And other areas of interest (List to be provided on arrival)
Evening Flight home...
Ilotot e MAA Additional Information
Nature Walks: Birding, indigenous plants identification and medicinal uses, “field learning, stories of nature and people” and light physical activities as demonstrated by Maasai warriors during the walks.
Animal Tracking: Armed with your animal spotter or wildlife book learn techniques for animal tracking from Maasai warriors
Animal Tracking: Armed with your animal spotter or wildlife book learn techniques for animal tracking from Maasai warriors
Teacher-Elders: Meet the elders and exchange stories/talk about Maasai Culture, myths, history, politics, relationship to nature, and world issues
The Goddesses of Beads: At Empopongi village, we learn bead-making from Maasai women who are the keepers of Maasai bead culture. Maasai women will facilitate this special experience.
Social-Economic Projects: Visit, see and learn firsthand the work of some of the most effective NGOs—MERC, Mara Native Guides Association (MNGA) and other local, national and international NGOs and how they have transformed sections of the Maasai community in positive ways.
Maasai songs and dance: Partake in a cultural dance and learn Maasai songs from women and warriors as they welcome you to their homestead—Enkang not Manyatta (see Did You Know.)
Community Presentations: Our “moving seminar” design of ILotot e MAA allows presentations throughout our travel on various topics including:
· Wildlife habitat and wildlife conservation
· Community-based conservation and anti-poaching efforts
· Traditional medicine and plant uses
· Coexistence between Maasai and wildlife and emerging challenges
· Pastoralism, nomadism, spirituality and Maasai diet
· Rite of passage and its significance to Maasai people
· Indigenous Maasai Justice system and court of elders (men and women)
· Community and national leadership
In order to give you the best out of this program our lectures, demonstrations, and discussions will take place at as we travel across Maasailand. Occasionally, this may require brief interruption of our drives to demonstrate pre-determined time and place depending the teaching aids to be used, the teachers choice of lecture delivery and . Informal discussions typically take place each day where participants and the MAA and Community guides meet around the bonfire outside the lodge. Debriefing and reflections on the activities of the day are shared every evening to enhance traveler experience and participation in our program.
Ideal Participant
Unlike many safari programs to East Africa, Ilotot e MAA (MAA Journeys) is a program designed for active travelers who prefer off-the-beaten-track cultural encounters and walking opportunities, the trip is recommended for families, school groups and others who seek experiential learning, volunteering, and cultural insights among indigenous peoples. This program is perfectly designed to compliment wildlife experience with authentic, educative cross-cultural interactions among indigenous Maasai.
Transportation
MAA provides comfortable well-designed Safari Vans or Land Rovers equipped with four-wheel drive. Our own-trained drivers double up as Maasai drivers and tour guides and posses vast skills in communication, wildlife spotting, and wealth of experience working with travelers from all over the world.
Food
Except in Narok where we shall spend a couple of nights visiting community projects and doing some social work, all our accommodation in Nairobi, Amboseli and Maasai Mara will be in five star lodges/camps. In Narok, we shall be staying at a three star but comfortable hotel. Note that mineral/bottled water will be available on site. The cost of mineral bottled water is not included in the cost of your safari (read terms and conditions for this particular program to learn what is and what is not included in your safari cost.)
Security
Arguably, Maasailand would be the safest place you can be in Africa. However, MAA places great emphasis on the safety of all our travelers. Our network of community leaders, warriors, park agencies makes our safety program one of the best. Game Rangers and Warriors will be accompanying us during nature walks and throughout the Safari. It is widely acknowledged by the Maasai and scientists that animals are scared of the Maasai people in general but more so the warriors.