Forest trail
Highlights include the 150m high Olasurr waterfall and views over the Rift Valley overlooking lakes Magadi and Natron.

Options (With all three options you spend six days in the forest)

Option 1: Our standard eight-day safari (includes two days driving through the Rift Valley)

Option 2: Nine-day safari (the same as the eight day, but includes one night on the way to Loita at Olarro Camp next to Maasai Mara. For those with time we recommend this option as it breaks up the long journey. Olarro Lodge is not included in the price).

Option 3: Six-day flying safari (included in the prices quoted is the 45 minute flight to Loita).

The Loita forest
For centuries the Maasai have been living with wildlife and herding their cattle between the antelopes, elephant and buffalo with their dependent predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. This situation still exists today in Kenya and Tanzania.

The Loita Naimena-Engiyio forest meaning the Forest of the Lost Child is sacred and yet used by the Maasai community for dry season grazing and during severe droughts. Its wealth of wildlife in animals, birds, trees, plant species and special habitats is well recognized by international conservation organizations. For centuries the Loita Maasai have taken care of the forest. Today, the area is still used for traditional ceremonies such as the setting up of new age groups after every seven years. The blessing for female fertility is another example of a ritual carried out in this forest. All these rites are carried out under the auspices of the spiritual leader of the area, the laibon.

Expectations
The walks are 3-6 hours long and you need to be of average good health and fitness to enjoy the safari. The altitude varies between 1700 and 2300 m. The paths that we walk on are animal trails and in the beginning also tracks cut by people to move their cattle through patches of forest. Four of the 7 days are still away from areas where people come with their livestock. The 4th day is to rest, a day that is generally as much appreciated as one of the walking days.

Our guests have enjoyed the company of our guides, who are all from the area and very knowledgeable about life in the wilderness. They grew up with it and all have learned to cope with living with wildlife. They are eager to teach you their intimate knowledge about the environment and know the use of many plants and trees for medicinal purposes, both for people and animals. Their experience is your security and offers you the joy of discovering the Maasai way of life along with being in one of the most beautiful pieces of wilderness that Kenya has to offer.

Seasonal changes are caused by the rains. On some occasions we may have to choose different routes in case of too much rain which makes the swamp and river area impassable. The arrival of the rainy season is preceded by the spectacular flowering of plants and trees, both in the plains and in the forest. Flowering wild jasmines will spread their perfume, wild magnolia trees show a feast of large white flowers such as everyone would have liked at their wedding. In addition you will see varieties of wild Hibiscus and Malva decorating the environment. The area is fascinating for anyone interested in birds, plants, trees and the spectacular landscapes that the edge of the Great Rift Valley offers. The views are incredible and over Lake Magadi, some 1500m lower than the Loita forest. In the distance there are glimpses of Lake Natron in Tanzania, the breeding ground for the lesser flamingo and on clear days you will see the 6000m high Mount Kilimanjaro, some 200 km away from our viewpoint.

THE 8 DAY (DRIVING) ITINERARY

DAY 1 The journey to Loita
A morning departure from Nairobi for Entasekera, a village on the edge of the Loita forest. En route we cross the Great Rift Valley passing the extinct volcanoes Longonot and Suswa. After climbing and crossing the Mau escarpment we reach the district capital of Narok, a typical medium sized African town. We enjoy the plains with their gazelle, zebra, wildebeest mixing freely with the livestock herds and their colourful owners. At the end of the tarmac road to the Maasai Mara, we turn left (East) towards the Loita division. We pass the villages Naikara and Morijo to reach Entasekera in the afternoon. Outside the village we camp in a forested valley on the side of a stream. We meet our Maasai team of guides and donkey handlers and enjoy dinner by the campfire after having experienced a hot bush shower to remove the dust and tiredness of the long journey.

DAY 2 The high altitude forest and the swamp, source of many rivers
After an early breakfast we get our personal luggage ready to be loaded onto the donkeys. Our walk leads us through old mixed forest with huge trees. Some dead giant trunks are totally covered in moss, creating a spectacular microhabitat. The altitude is approximately 2000m and inside the forest the temperature is pleasantly cool. We cross open glades and walk over the top of a long ridge overlooking a large swamp. All the time we hear the typical sound of the spectacular Turaco, a dark bird with conspicuous crimson wingtips in flight. Their sound is somewhat reminiscent of the black and white Colobus monkeys frequently seen jumping through the trees. Halfway the journey we stop for a picnic, taking in the peace and quiet of the forest. In the afternoon we put up camp overlooking the big swamp and source of several rivers. (Walking time approximately 3-4 hours)

DAY 3 The spring and the Emungororkine river
Crossing the swamp may give some muddy and occasionally wet feet. We follow the paths made by livestock, hippos and elephants. The edge of the swamp is the last place where some Maasai manyattas (homesteads) are seen. We cross the swamp and find a spring bubbling up with crystal clear drinking water good to refill our flasks and quench our thirst. From here we follow the Emungororkine river on its left bank through forest and open slopes. Early in the afternoon we reach our campsite on the riverbank. Hammerkop have built spectacular nests by the side of the river. At night you may hear trumpeting elephants and the grunting snorts of hippos; our campfires and warriors safeguard us throughout the night. (3 hours)

DAY 4 The forest walk with river crossings leading to the waterfall
Today’s walk is strenuous but very satisfying. We walk for two and a half hours through the forest, partly through dense vegetation. Below in the river we may see some hippo. Enjoy the forest, its scents and sounds, its spectacular flowers and its beautiful ever varying landscape. The river is crossed three times, once immediately at the camp and twice during the walk balancing on beautifully rounded large stepping stones. Eventually the top of an escarpment is reached, overlooking Kisinante, a waterhole 500m below us. Now we climb down a 300m high steep slope until we reach the breathtaking 300m high waterfall. The courageous ones take a swim in the safe but cold water and have a very refreshing shower in the column of water that comes thundering down. The rare cicad palms are growing on the steep rocky face bordering the fall. We relax and enjoy our lunch for one and a half to two hours.

In the warm evening light we arrive back in camp, tired and ready for a cold beer and hot shower before our early dinner. (6 hours)

DAY 5 The peace of the river
A day of rest has been earned. Time to relax, read or explore the river or mountain slopes with one of our guides. Good time for bird watching.
(With the 7 day walk there is no rest day)

DAY 6 The highest point of the Loita forest
The walk to the next campsite takes us through the forest. At an amazing rock formation in an open glade we stop to enjoy the view over the area where we have walked the first three days. The function of the forest becomes almost visual; the forested slopes are the sponges holding the water that charges the springs in the swamps. The large swamp is created by an impenetrable rock bed underneath the soil sediments of river valleys, creating a massive reservoir feeding several rivers supplying water to Narok and Kajiado districts. The value of this area for the survival of the people with their livestock and the wildlife becomes strikingly clear. Our walk ends within two hours next to one of the high points, SKP 35 or Loliondoi hill 2333m high. An optional walk of another three hours with good chances of seeing some wildlife is offered. We take lunch while enjoying the view over Lake Magadi in the distance, once more enjoying the awesome features of the Great Rift Valley. (Two or five hours)

DAY 7 Starting in the mist for our final walk to the Viewpoint Campsite
We pack up camp early for a long walk of approximately 15 km. It is usually misty which creates a mysterious atmosphere. Our walk takes us through the forest, passing two waterholes before reaching another part of the big swamp that we crossed on the second day. We continue our walk over gently sloping hills, passing through rich grassy fields and cool high altitude forest. In the late afternoon we arrive in our next campsite where we have the best view. We see Ol Doiniyo Shambu, the elephant mountain just across the border in Tanzania and Shompole just within Kenya. On a clear day we may see Kilimanjaro and other mountains in Tanzania such as the live volcano Ol Doinyio Lengai on the edge of lake Natron. Colobus monkeys abound in this area and are proof of a relatively undisturbed mountainous forest. This is our last night in The Forest of the Lost Child. (5-6 hours of easy walk).

DAY 8 Farewell to the Loita Maasai and return to Nairobi
After saying goodbye to our Maasai guides we leave in our vehicles and drive back to Nairobi or to our next destination. Arrival in Nairobi is by the end of the afternoon.