KENYA - WOMEN'S INTREPID EXPEDITION

DISCOVER KENYA’S VIBRANT CULTURE FROM A FEMALE PERSPECTIVE, ON A WOMEN’S ONLY ADVENTURE

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Make your way through the heart of East Africa and meet local Kenyan women and men from all walks of life, who will share their stories and triumphs in the struggle for gender equality. Hear inspiring stories from our all-female crew including your local leader and driver, Becky, who was the very first female overland truck driver in East Africa. You’ll also have the chance to meet a range of local women – from entrepreneurs, female park rangers and Maasai villagers.

Beginning and ending in Nairobi, you’ll visit women’s only villages, join a cooking class with local women, go on safaris in the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Samburu National Reserve and meet a local women’s only support group striving to improve gender equality.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS TRIP

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Journey through Northern Kenya with Becky, the first female overland truck driver in East Africa.

Get to know some of Kenya’s female wildlife rangers and understand the challenges they face in a male dominated industry.

Spend time at the Umoja Village; a unique women’s only Manyatta founded in 1990 as a sanctuary.

Visit the Mau Mau caves and learn how women played a key role in helping the Mau Mau people win the war against colonial rule.

Enjoy high tea while learning about local and global wildlife conservation heroine, Joy Adamson, of “Born Free“ fame.

Venture out on Game Drive's in some of Kenya's iconic parks; Masai Mara, Samburu National Reserve, and Lake Nakuru.

Visit a flower farm, which is run predominantly by women. While these women have little or no formal education, working at the farm provides them with a stable income to support their families.

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IS THIS TRIP RIGHT FOR YOU?

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This is an expedition trip and is new to our range this year. Despite rigorous planning and research, new itineraries can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a welcome surprise, but every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.


Our purpose-built overland vehicles allow for excellent game viewing. While they aren’t air-conditioned, they are equipped with large sliding windows to let in the fresh air and allow for excellent photography opportunities.


The drive days can be long and bumpy, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination – bringing a pack of playing cards is a great way to pass the time and get to know your fellow travellers.


There will be some early starts to make the most of the spectacular sunrises in this beautiful land and to beat the morning traffic on drive days.


While we would love to open up these real life experiences to all our travellers regardless of gender, it’s simply not yet possible to do so and operate in a socially responsible and culturally sensitive manner. If you're interested in travelling to Kenya on a similar itinerary, check out some of other itineraries or consider booking a private group tour.

ITINERARY

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DAY 1: NAIROBI

 

Jambo! Welcome to Nairobi, Kenya's capital. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6pm, but feel free to arrive early and check out the sites or maybe even book a day tour with Urban Adventures. 

After you meet your incredible female driver and leader, head out for an included dinner to try some local cuisine. 

Please ask the hotel reception where the evening meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that gets in before 6pm, you may want to consider arriving a day early, but if you’re running late please inform hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance and next of kin details at the meeting, so please ensure you have these on hand to give to your leader.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel (1 night)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Nairobi - From Farm to Feast Urban Adventure - USD75

Nairobi - Nairobi Experience Urban Adventure - USD48

Nairobi - Hell's Gate National Park Urban Adventure - USD170

Nairobi - A Day with the Maasai Urban Adventure - USD140

Nairobi - Giraffes & Elephants in Nairobi Urban Adventure - USD62 

Nairobi - Nairobi by Night Urban Adventure - USD64

MEALS INCLUDED

Dinner

DAY 2: MOUNT KENYA REGION

 

Check out of your hotel after an early breakfast and drive three hours to the Mt Kenya region. The roads can become narrow as you climb past Sagana and approach the hills around Karatina and Nyeri, but don’t worry, you’ll be travelling in our custom-made safari vehicles. If it isn’t too cloudy, Mt Kenya provides a very scenic view as the road veers past its western slopes. From here the landscape levels out and the road is flanked by open plains all the way to Naro Moru — the base for climbing the most popular route up Mt Kenya.

At Mt Kenya, you’ll check in to your accommodation and enjoy an included lunch before setting out on a nature walk guided by female rangers. Explore around the base of Mt Kenya and pay a visit to the Mau Mau caves, to learn how women played a key role in helping the Mau Mau war movement defeat colonial rule. From here, head back to the lodge for a well-deserved dinner.

 

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES 

Mt Kenya - Mau Mau Caves Visit

Mt Kenya - Guided Nature Walk

Mt Kenya - Female Ranger Introduction

MEALS INCLUDED 

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 3: SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

 

Drive for about two hours to Samburu National Park to admire the stunning landscapes and learn about the rich culture of the Samburu people. Samburu County forms part of a wider ecosystem that includes Buffalo Springs to the south of the Ewaso Nyiro River and Shaba National Reserve on the opposite side of Archer’s Post. You’ll arrive at the park for a morning game drive, then check-in at the lodge for lunch. There’ll be time to relax and have a swim before you set off for an afternoon game drive.

Included Activities

Samburu National Park - Morning Game Drive

Samburu National Park - Afternoon Game Drive 

Meals Included

Breakfast  Lunch  Dinner

DAY 4: SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

 

This morning you have the option to head out on an optional early morning Game Drive. Then head to Umoja Village. The all-female village was founded in 1990 by a group of 15 women who were survivors of sexual assault, violence or child marriage. You will have time to talk with the women and learn how they overcame their situations and how they now enjoy their new-found freedom.

Before and after independence, the women in these communities were oppressed by men to the extent that they were not allowed to go to school or work. Now, they make beads and other artefacts which they sell to tourist and locals at a reasonable fee to help sustain their self-sufficient community. 

The women in this village are now taking their children to school and empowering the women to take part in all economic activities beyond this region. There are many success stories from this village and you will get to hear about them.   

Included Activities 

Samburu - Umoja Village Visit & Introduction 

Meals Included 

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 5: LAKE NAKURU

 

After breakfast, leave Samburu and drive six hours to Nakuru with a stop for lunch at the famous Thompson Falls Lodge. Nakuru, the capital city of Nakuru County and the home of Lake Nakuru National Park, is famous for rhinos, giraffes, lions and leopards. Lake Nakuru is an algae-filled soda lake with abundant bird life and if you’re lucky you may even spot flamingos. Enjoy an afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge for the evening.

Back at the lodge, you’ll be joined by one of the female rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Society for dinner who will share her experiences and the challenges of working in a typically male dominated industry.

Included Activities

Lake Nakuru - Afternoon Game Drive (Overland truck)

Lake Nakuru - KWS Female Ranger Introduction and Dinner

Thomson Falls - Thomson Falls Waterfalls Visit

Meals Included

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 6: LAKE NAIVASHA

 

After breakfast you’ll head to Mwariki Village, a women-based community project dedicated to empowering less privileged women and children.

Before coming to Mwariki, the women lacked education, skills training, and a dependable source of income. A Community Tourism program was set up to include walking tours, artisan demonstrations, chapati making classes to help women provide for themselves. 

After sharing a meal and interacting with the local women in their homes, you’ll drive one and a half hours to Naivasha. Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake and is the home of hippos, an abundance of fish and over 400 species of birds. Check in to the hotel before an afternoon boat ride. 

The boat ride will end at the Elsamere Conservation Centre, the holiday and retirement home of local and global heroine Joy Adamson of “Born Free“ fame. Here we get to know more about the lady who dedicated her life to wildlife conservation and the environment. Enjoy a traditional high tea and a documentary movie before heading back to the hotel for the evening.

Included Activities

Lake Naivasha - Elsamere Conservation Centre

Lake Naivasha - Elsamere High Tea

Lake Naivasha - Mwariki Community Village Visit

Meals Included

Breakfast Dinner

DAY 7: LAKE NAIVASHA

 

Today you’ll visit a flower farm, which is run predominantly by women. While these women have little or no formal education, working at the farm provides them with a stable income to support their families.  

You’ll have the chance to interact with the women and learn more about how, as part of their employment, they are part of women’s only financial independence support groups. These groups have led to creation of financial institutions such as the Faulu Kenya and Kenya Women Microfinance Trust.

Later in the afternoon, you may want to visit the Hells Gate National Park for an optional afternoon walk in the gorge, ending with a swim in the healing waters of the geothermal spa within the park.

Included Activities

Lake Naivasha - Flower Farm Visit

Optional Activities

Lake Naivasha - Hell's Gate NP Geothermal Spa Visit & Swim - USD40

Lake Naivasha - Hell's Gate NP Gorge Walk - USD40

Meals Included

Breakfast Dinner

DAY 8: MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

 

After breakfast, you’ll drive approximately four hours to the Masai Mara, in south-west Kenya. It’s one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves and is often thought to be the best place in East Africa for game drives. Along with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania it forms Africa’s most diverse and spectacular eco-system.

You’ll head out on an afternoon game drive, joined by a local female ranger who will share her knowledge and experiences from the profession.

Included Activities

Masai Mara - Game Drive guided by female Ranger

Meals Included

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 9: MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

 

This morning you’ll drive three hours to Loita Hills. The Loita Hills region, located south of Nairobi and north-east of the Masai Mara is one area where the Maasai people still live traditionally, with little influence from the western world. While it isn't an area for viewing big game, the hilly scenery is picturesque and meeting the Maasai people and learning more about their culture and way of life is a highlight. 

You’ll arrive for lunch in Tepesua Village, which is known for championing Maasai women’s health and education. Maasai and Samburu women remain the most oppressed women in Kenya, due to a culture that doesn’t allow women to inherit land and other properties from their families. 

The local community is striving to eliminate a number of injustices, including early marriage and lack of education for women, so Intrepid Travel works closely with the community on a number of projects.

Included Activities

Masai Mara - Maasai Widow’s village visit

Optional Activities

Masai Mara National Reserve - Morning 4x4 Game Drive - USD180

Meals Included

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 10: NAIROBI

You’ll leave the Masai Mara after breakfast and drive towards Nairobi, which will take around six hours. There’s plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy, but if you’d rather avoid the drive there’s an option to take a 45-minute flight instead.  

If you drive, you’ll arrive back in the city in the afternoon and say goodbye to your tour leader and fellow travellers. If you’re staying on in Kenya, we can help you book additional accommodation, otherwise we recommend you don’t book your flight out before 8pm that day to allow for any delays.

Meals Included

Breakfast

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DATES, PRICES & INCLUSIONS

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MEALS

9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 9 dinners

TRANSPORT

Overland vehicle, 4x4 safari vehicle

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel (4 nights), Permanent Tented Camps (5 nights)

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Mt Kenya - Mau Mau Caves Visit

Mt Kenya - Guided Nature Walk

Mt Kenya - Female Ranger Introduction

Samburu National Park - Morning Game Drive

Samburu National Park - Afternoon Game Drive

Samburu - Umoja Village Visit & Introduction

Lake Nakuru - Afternoon Game Drive (Overland truck)

Lake Nakuru - KWS Female Ranger Introduction and Dinner

Thomson Falls - Thomson Falls Waterfalls Visit

Lake Naivasha - Elsamere Conservation Centre

Lake Naivasha - Elsamere High Tea

Lake Naivasha - Mwariki Community Village Visit

Lake Naivasha - Flower Farm Visit

Masai Mara - Game Drive guided by female Ranger

Masai Mara - Maasai Widow’s village visit

NEXT DEPARTURE FROM NAIROBI: 12 OCT 2019
PRICE FROM NZ$3985 PER PERSON, SHARE TWIN

More departure dates/prices available - please just ask us!

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IMPORTANT NOTES

1. This is an expedition trip and requires a minimum of four people to depart. Please do not book any non-refundable flights or services before the trip is guaranteed to depart.
2. A single supplement is available on all nights of this trip, subject to availability.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Prices are per person (pp) in NZD, twin share based on lead in season. All care is taken to promote correct pricing at time of publication but is dependent upon availability and will be confirmed at time of reservation. Valid for sale until sold out. Airfares not included unless specified. Offers are subject to availability and can change without notification due to fluctuations in charges and currency. Credit card surcharges apply. For full terms and conditions please contact a World Travellers consultant.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy upon payment of your deposit. You should ensure that such insurance will protect you against cancellation and loss of deposits or payments prior to departure due to unforeseen circumstances, medical expenses arising from sickness or injury during your travel and protect you also against loss of or damage to your belongings. Please check natural disaster coverage and length of duration coverage. We can arrange travel insurance for you and can provide you with a quote and answer any queries you may have regarding the insurance we offer.