Kenya Masai Tribal Trek: detoxing in the jungle & desert

Stroll through the dusty streets of downtown Nairobi with ex-street kids Kissmart, Donga and Cheddaz. These three ‘street kids’ grew up in Mathare, one of Nairobi's biggest slums. They used to hang around the Central Business District (CBD) begging, stealing, smuggling and dealing. Now they share their street skills with you on a tour of CBD! Thanks to this tour, the boys can create a better life for themselves, their families and the new generation of street children from their slum. The boys show you where they slept as children, what the escape routes from the police were, and they tell you all about the time they spent in jail. Be prepared for a lot of hot stories, bizarre encounters, lots of high fives, fat dances and, above all, a lot of fun. And don't worry, with these guys around you are safe anyway!

Descend into the Rift Valley and drive between the yellow-gold acacia trees as if you were in an eternal sunset. In the afternoon, a sunset boat safari is scheduled on nearby Lake Naivasha. The shores are home to all kinds of wildlife: giraffes, waterbucks, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest,.... Don't forget to bring your coolers and purchased snacks on board and then: Spot it!

Have a hearty breakfast as you have an active day ahead: Cycling through Hell's Gate National Park! Does the unique landscape look familiar to you? Remember when Mufasa was overrun by wildebeests being chased by hyenas in the Lion King? Hell's Gate was the inspiration for this scene! Fortunately, Simba and his friends are not actually running around here and you can cycle and walk around in peace. You'll spot giraffes, gazelles, buffalo and warthogs, among others, from the bike, while zebras will run with you. And all with spectacular steep cliffs and rock formations as a backdrop. In between, you take an adventurous hike through the gorge created by lava rivers from two volcanoes.

The Masai Mara. Needs no introduction. The extension of the Serengeti - or vice versa, backdrop for the Great Migration and otherwise endless plains for the ultimate safari experience. The animals are most active in the morning, when the savannah is still cool. So who knows, you might be met by some big cats. Do you know the BBC series Big Cat Diary? It was filmed here. So chances are you will see a lion or cheetah walking by. Leopards can also be seen lazing in trees or strolling along the road. TIP: Make sure you arrange a packed lunch at the camp the day before, so you don't have to go back and you have some more time. You can then enjoy your lunch on the banks of the Mara River.

Ready for a biodiverse rainforest? That's what the Loita Hills are. Together with your Masai friend, his assistant warriors and herdsmen, you will trek through the rugged wilderness with donkeys and goats. The parks here are not fenced - the warriors are armed with spears to protect you from wildlife. Washing is done in the river and donkeys are packed with your luggage, tents, provisions and water. Goats also walk with you. Why goats? Nyama choma (goat from the bbq) is a Kenyan delicacy that your Masai friends will prepare tonight. Delicious! And easy to 'carry', they just stroll along. If anyone wants to help cook and ritually slaughter a goat or drink fresh, warm goat blood from a vein, you can. The real trek starts on day 2: pack everything and set off together with the donkeys that will accompany you into the rainforest.

Time to explore the Magadi desert via motorbikes. The Masai patiently teach you how to control these two-wheelers after which you ride yourself through sand, water and stones to the camp site. In the morning, you get back on the motorbike and it's another few hours of dust hopping and sweating under the helmet between elephants and zebras, but then you arrive at the extraordinary Magadi Hotsprings: hot saltwater springs. Set up your tent, jump into your swimwear and you are ready for a dip in the warm water. The ultimate feeling of freedom and being at one with nature!

After part 1 of the trip, return to Nairobi to catch your breath. Explore the city further via one of the city tours, or explore on your own and choose one of the many great places to have lunch and enjoy the surroundings.

Mombasa is described in many ways, but believe us when we say this city has an irresistible charm. It offers a melting pot of cultural influences, a maze of narrow streets and chill coastal vibes. So a visit to this urban gem on the coast is a must. Due to its convenient location on the Indian Ocean, Mombasa has influences from all over the world, which is reflected in the city's food culture. Venture into the local streets, markets and squares. Mingle with locals on the beach and sample freshly caught fish at one of the many quaint restaurants.

Watamu: an idyllic fishing village also known as Kenya's Little Italy! The Watamu Marine Park is considered one of the best snorkelling and diving areas in East Africa. Besides being the perfect place for snorkelling, this village is the place to be for scrumptious Italian food. "Watamu" literally means “Sweet People” and most of the locals certainly are. The name stems from the time of slavery, where Arab slave traders would hand out sweets to locals before putting them on boats... that's bittersweet. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all that Watamu has to offer: relax by the lovely blue ocean, visit the Gedi Ruins, Mida Creek or spot sea turtles and dolphins from a boat.

Everything comes to an end, including this wonderful adventure. Fully rested, you pack your bags to get on the plane home. With a nice healthy colour on your cheeks, you board the plane. With your eyes closed and your seat reclined, you relive the cool adventures of the past few days. Full of inspiration and with an overdose of wonderful memories, you return home. Unspoilt nature, lush wildlife, inspiring people & vibrant cities. You now have plenty of stories to tell family and friends later by the fire. Welcome home! An adventure over, but another set of experiences richer.