M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Jan’s camp: Jan’s camp is the base for all our walking trips in the Loita area.

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Since both the trail huts and the tents have their own kitchens and dining areas, we can also offer a self-catering rate for our clients - As well as supplying a chef (if requested)!!

The camp is set on a ridge facing the east and looking over the rolling Loita hills. It has two different types of accommodation that each complement and enhance their surroundings.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian; +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966; , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

camp

One of our client’s comments

Our tent faced the forest, which began a mere ten feet away.

"It is fun waking up in the morning to the different birds, the hoarse caws of the Hartlaubs Turaco, the fluting whistles of the orioles, the grunt of the ground hornbills, the cooing of the pigeons, the bubbling boos of the tropical boubou and in the background the hyena yips or the throaty rumble sounds of the black and white colobus. Not all at the same time of course, but enough so that we could eventually recognise them.

Often during the day we would be sitting reading or just snoozing when a rustle through the branches indicated the arrival of a colobus or a group of them. But often they were too silent and we would search the canopy for a black face and a long white tail. Sometimes we felt they had more fun looking at us than we did looking at them."

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian; +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966; , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Accommodation: Fusion Huts: • • • •

3 trail huts have their own toilets and shower areas. Each hut has a different character and accommodates 2 people. Private Kitchen Private Dining tent. Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian; +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966; , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Tented Accommodation • • • •

Two family tents on the edge of the forest. Can accommodate 6 people. Private toilet and showers. Private kitchen and dining

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How to get here By Road 5-6 hour drive from Nairobi. Drive to Narok and take the road to Sekanani gate. Drive 52 km from Narok to the end of the tarmac, the road goes straight on to Sekanani gate or you turn left to Ol Mutia gate.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian; +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966; , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

camp

There is a small village at this junction called Ngoswani.

After another 15-16 km and you arrive in the village of Naikarra.

At that junction you need to turn left as if you are going to Ol Mutia gate. Immediately you will pass Ollaro lodge on your left.

You need to drive through Naikarra (if you get lost you must ask for the road to Entasekera or Morijo) keeping the sign for VCT testing on your right and follow the road passing through a village Leshota that will be on your left.

After approximately 15 km from the junction, turn left while the main road to Maasai Mara keeps going straight on.

Once you have arrived in Entasekera we can have a guide meet Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian; +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966; , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

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you and show you the track for the camp. Total distance from Narok 125 km. Alternatively we can organise for you to charter a plane into Entasekera.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian; +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966; , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp PRODUCT

PRICE (in USD)

Jan’s Camp Accommodation FULL BOARD single

$225

FULL BOARD double

$345

FULL BOARD extra person

$125

SELF CATERING 2 tents

$200

SELF CATERING extra tent

$100

SELF CATERING entire camp

$500

GUIDE per day

$15

DONKEY per day

$5

Maasai Walking Trails FULL BOARD ‘River Trail’ 5 days, 4 nights

$1225

SELF CATERING ‘River Trail’

$600

Camping PER PERSON PER NIGHT including camping fee, security, toilet and washing water

Custom Made Safaris

$25

Prices on request

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian; +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966; , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

loita

Oltyiani 2345m a peak in the forest, which is regarded as sacred place by the Loita Maasai. Loita forest. The forest lies on the western edge of the Great Rift Valley just North of the Tanzanian border. The hills have an average altitude of 2000m and the Rift Valley floor is more than a kilometer below. It is scattered with many glades, valleys, swamps and small rivers. There are numerous springs, which feed into lake Natron in

Tanzania and into several rivers towards the west in the Mara-Serengeti eco-system. The Loita forest covers an area of 330 km2. It is one of the few non-gazetted indigenous forest in Kenya with great cultural and spiritual value. The forest is recognized by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as an important bird area. Spectacular birds such as Hartlaubs Turaco and Ground Hornbill are residents around our camp. It is also a refuge for the black and white colobus monkey as well as

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

loita

other numerous forest animals such as bushbuck, buffalo, elephant, dik-dik, and zebra. We also often hear hyena and leopard, and occasionally lion at Jan’s camp. Apart from the wildlife that resides in the forest. Flowers are everywhere adding their colour and beauty. There are giant trees from the Podocarpus to the African olive and Warburgia, indicating how ancient a forest it is.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Maasai culture and relationship with the forest. The translation of "Forest of the Lost Child" is based on a Maasai legend about a young girl, who was herding some calves when a few got loose and wandered into the trees. The girl went into the forest to find them, but the calves eventually returned home without her. Her family joined the Maasai warriors to search for her, but the girl was never found.

loita

For the Loita Maasai the forest provides a cattle-grazing area in the dry season and a source for medicinal herbs.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Traditional knowledge holders and practitioners. The forest has ceremonial significance for the Loita and Purko Maasai in the area. Only the Laibons (spiritual leaders) are allowed to make use of the sacred resources such as (Phoenix reclinata) oltukai, which are then used for their religious ceremonies.

loita

Emowou Olkiteng: the initiation of a new age group. When boys begin their rite of passage to young adults. (Eunoto ceremony) Enkitainoto olarrip olasar lalporror: The chosen spiritual leader of the age group Olorrip Olasar is accompanied by one Olpiron elder. The young apprentice spends the whole night awake, standing motionless under a sacred tree deep within the forest.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Emayian oo Nkituak (olmal): periodically the Maasai women are blessed and cleansed to enhance their fertility under sacred trees in the forest. Oltukai and Olpiripiri (Podocarpus falcatus) twigs are used in this purification.

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forest to convalesce and restore their strength, commune with their deity and build up their group morale.

Orpul: Morans indulge in secluded, meat feasts deep within the Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp PRODUCT

PRICE (in USD)

Jan’s Camp Accommodation FULL BOARD single

$225

FULL BOARD double

$345

FULL BOARD extra person

$125

SELF CATERING 2 tents

$200

SELF CATERING extra tent

$100

SELF CATERING entire camp

$500

GUIDE per day

$15

DONKEY per day

$5

Maasai Walking Trails FULL BOARD ‘River Trail’ 5 days, 4 nights

$1225

SELF CATERING ‘River Trail’

$600

Camping PER PERSON PER NIGHT including camping fee, security, toilet and washing water

Custom Made Safaris

$25

Prices on request

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

trails

Staying in Jan’s Camp

How do our longer forest trails work:

Many of our visitors, especially some of the older ones, prefer to use Jan’s Camp as a permanent base, choosing lesser walks of shorter lengths around the camp, where they spend every night. Each walk is still led by one of our Maasai guides who tailor each excursion appropriately. These walks can last a whole day with a picnic lunch somewhere en route or can be as short as an hour.

Jan’s camp also acts as our base for all of our longer trails in the Loita forest. It is here that our Maasai guides will come to meet and greet you before the trail begins. Our guides will talk you through your upcoming trail. The pack donkeys will be brought in from nearby enkangs on your first day’s walk; the equipment will be weighed, measured and packed in preparation for your foot safari. Once all the provisions and camp equipment have

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

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M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

been packed, the donkey caravan will set off into the forest to set up the next camp. You will also set off with a donkey caravan but a much smaller one, which carries personal luggage and a packed lunch. Due to the altitude of the Loita area and the terrain that we traverse, we do not plan to walk for longer then 6 hours a day. Within very short distances you can walk through very different ecosystems and habitats. So we normally walk for 3 hours in the

morning, stop for a leisurely lunch then a further 3 hours in the afternoon. This is only a guideline though and we will adapt the length of the walk to your wishes. Fitness levels Jan’s camp and most of the Loita Hills lie at an altitude of 2000 metres so you need to be reasonably fit to walk. The Loita forest is set amongst a series of ridges that run north to south along

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

trails

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

the edge of the Great Rift Valley so be prepared for trails that will go both up and down.

is made for the donkeys and fires are lit, tents set up and the kitchen prepared for your arrival.

Walking camps

Guides

Are members of our local community who will offer you unique insights into the local fauna and flora. The Maasai will show you the local plants that their tribe use for ceremonial purposes and share their extensive knowledge of the trees and their medicinal uses. Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

Having spent the last 10 years leading walks through the forest, we take great pride in setting up light but comfortable camps in some of the remotest parts of the Loita forest. The camping party will clear the ground. A small thorn kraal (enclosed area)

M a a sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

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You can gain a valuable insight into their culture and community life. The guides will take you through the ancient elephant trails that descend through the forest down into the Great Rift Valley. We use a minimum of three guides that walk with you on the trail, but that number will increase depending on the size of the group. The guides will carry a satellite phone while on safari in order to contact our Base camp, along with vhf radios. Guides: Samperu is a very experienced guide who has been a moran (a warrior) for 7 years. He is familiar with all the Maasai traditions and has a deep knowledge of plants and trees including their medicinal properties. With the help of other guides, who speak better English, he still manages to entertain our guests and impress them with his wit and local knowledge. He is our most senior guide. Olekueni is equally experienced. His name means ‘the one who always laughs’ and if the guides are inspired by you to sing and dance you will see him take a lead role. He is important for guiding our donkey caravan, which sometimes numbers almost 40 animals.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Patrick Koyati is a well-educated modern Maasai with a good knowledge of English as well as vital bush skills. He is a natural leader within his community and also works as a livestock trader. David Ntyiani has a good command of English. He lives in the valley of the laibons, or spiritual leaders, for which Loita is

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renowned. He is an excellent communicator and especially experienced in inspiring young school children or students coming to visit Loita on educational trips. Amos is English speaking. He has had experience with horses. He has been excellent at organizing and guiding our donkey caravans. Daniel Meipuki is a well-known member of the Loita community

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

as he is the treasurer of the Entasekera primary school. He is often referred to as pastor, because of his work as a preacher. He combines the bush skills he learned as a member of his Loita Maasai community with his long time training as a guide in the National Outdoors Leadership School (NOLS) - an American organization that has been operating for over 10 years in the Loita Hills.

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John Nkima has been a long time member of our group. He sets up the mobile camps, guards our donkeys and looks after all our logistics.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

trails

Trails Ol Lasur trail 5 days - 4 night trail: Full Board USD 1250 per person. Jan’s camp - River camp - River camp – Jan’s camp. Day 1: Depart from Nairobi at 9:00am, picnic lunch en route. Arrive at Jan's Camp between 4 and 5pm. Briefing on the following days’ trail. Overnight at Jan’s camp. Day 2: After breakfast the donkeys are brought in and equipment packed. Leave around 10:00am, lunch break around 12:30 for an hour and arrive in the camp at around 4 - 5 pm. Overnight River camp. Duration of walk: 5 – 6 hours Difficulty level: easy walk - gentle climbs. Day 3: Walk to Ol Lasur waterfall. Leave at 9:00am from camp and climb up to the edge of the Rift Valley, followed by a descent to the waterfall around noon. After a refreshing swim below the waterfall, climb back up to have lunch at about 2:00pm overlooking the Rift. Arrive back in camp at 5:00 pm, drinks and dinner by the river. Overnight River camp Duration of walk: 6 – 7 hours. Difficulty level: good hike – steep slopes. Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

trails

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Day 4: Take a different trail through the Loita forest back to Jan’s camp. Drinks and dinner. Overnight Jan’s camp. Duration of walk: 5 – 6 hours. Difficulty level: easy walk – steep/gentle climbs. Day 5: Early morning departure from Jan’s camp to your next destination or Nairobi.

Oltyiani trail 5 days - 4 night trail: Full Board USD 1250 per person Jan’s Camp - Oltyiani - Osasinai camp – Jan’s Camp. Day 1: Depart from Nairobi at 9:00am, picnic lunch en route. Arrive at Jan's Camp between 4 and 5 pm. Briefing on the following days’ trail. Overnight at Jan’s camp.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

trails

Day 2: Breakfast followed by the donkeys being packed. The trail starts with a walk via the Empurputia Swamp and the Red Rock Ridge through the forest with an enormous fig tree to the highest point of the Loita Hills. Here the Rift Valley opens up to the East with the famous soda lake at Magadi, with Lake Natron - on the border with Tanzania - marked by Ole Sampu Mountain just across the frontier and the craters of the Ngorongoro mountains in the distance. The camp is on top of Oltyiani. Overnight Oltyiani. Duration of walk: 5 hours. Difficulty level: Good hike – steep slopes. Day 3: Walk to the Osasinai River where the camp is set up in a valley surrounded by trees with crystal clear water in the river. Plenty of views and breaks for lunch and other small resting breaks. Overnight Osasinai camp Duration of walk: 4 - 5 hours. Difficulty level: Good hike – steep slopes. Day 4: Walk back to Jan's Camp via Viewpoint where there is a spectacular view of the Rift Valley. From there it is an easy walk through scattered forest glades, passing one Maasai enkang (homestead) to arrive in Jan's Camp for a late lunch. Spend a leisurely afternoon in the camp before drinks and dinner. Overnight Jan’s camp. Duration of walk: 4 hours. Difficulty level: steep slopes - gentle.

Our GPS estimates make this waterfall 150m high (Ol Lasur trail) Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

trails

Viewpoint: 1-2 hours walk away from Jan’s Camp. Overlooking the Rift Valley to the South Day 5: Early morning departure from Jan’s camp to your next destination or Nairobi.

Great Rift Valley trail 6 days – 5 night trail: Full Board USD 1600 per person

Day 1: Depart from Nairobi at 9:00am, picnic lunch en route. Arrive at Jan's Camp between 4 and 5pm where you will spend the night. Briefing on the following days’ trail. Overnight Jan’s camp. Day 2: Breakfast followed by the donkeys being packed. The trail starts with a walk via Viewpoint, a great spot to see the full length of the trail laid out ahead and to catch a first glimpse of the Rift Valley. Walk to the Osasinai River where you camp in a

Jan’s Camp - Osasinai camp - Olmelil camp – Mausa - Ol Chorro Naibor camp. Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

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valley surrounded by trees with crystal clear water in the river. Overnight deep in the forest at Osasinai.

rock formations on the Olmelil ridge. The campsite is on a spectacular site overlooking the Great Rift Valley.

Duration of walk 4-5 hours.

Overnight Rudy’s camp at Olmelil

Difficulty level: gentle - to steep slopes.

Duration of walk 6 hours.

Day 3: From Osasinai head south with a walk over two ridges to Rudy’s camp on the Olmelil ridge near Tianmnangen. The thick forest changes to open glades and waterholes with impressive

Difficulty level: steep slopes and gentle climbs.

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

trails

Spectacular view near Rudy’s camp at Olmelil. Day 4: Breakfast overlooking the Rift Valley with the sun rising over it. After a fairly steep descent from the escarpment we camp in a forested valley not far from Mausa.

Day 5: Walk along the Rift Valley further South to reach Ol Choro Naibor, a spring where the Maasai bring their cattle when using the escarpment trail into the Rift Valley.

Overnight Mausa camp.

Overnight Ol Choro naibor camp.

Duration of walk 6 hours.

Duration of walk 6 hours.

Difficulty level: steep descent followed by a gentle climb.

Difficulty level: gentle walk over rolling hills

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Day 6: Descend into the Rift Valley while getting closer to the spectacular Lake Natron, which is predominantly in Tanzania. Shompole mountain lies just North of the lake and it is possible to see the distinct crater shape of Ol Donyo Lengai (the mountain of God) a volcano just South of Lake Natron, which is still active. The descent to Pakaasi village takes about 3 - 4 hours and is best started early in the morning because of the heat at the lower altitude. The trail descends for a good 1000m

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and the end is in a totally different, hot climate zone. Overnight Nairobi. It is possible to spend a few nights in Shompole lodge or return by road to Nairobi (4 - 5 hours’ drive).

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

trails

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

Personal equipment Our trails are based on the slack packer approach. This means you only carry a small daypack with you (camera – drinking water - trail mix or snacks etc.). Your other larger pack with clothing is transported for you on a donkey. Items you might choose to bring: •

• • • • • • • •

Change of shoes for the evening Flip-flops New socks for each day Wide brimmed hat Long sleeved shirts T-shirts Swimming costume Windcheater

Walking boots Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

trails

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp

• • • • • • • •

Long trousers Shorts Fleece (for night as it does get cold!) Walking stick Gaiters Binoculars Head torch Camelback (Or water bottle)

• • • • • •

Personal medication Re-hydration salts Headache pills Blister bandages (We carry a first aid kit and recommend that you also carry your own) Sunscreen (even on cloudy days you get sun-burned!) Insect repellent

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979

M aa sa i Tra i ls Jan’s Camp PRODUCT

PRICE (in USD)

Jan’s Camp Accommodation FULL BOARD single

$225

FULL BOARD double

$345

FULL BOARD extra person

$125

SELF CATERING 2 tents

$200

SELF CATERING extra tent

$100

SELF CATERING entire camp

$500

GUIDE per day

$15

DONKEY per day

$5

Maasai Walking Trails FULL BOARD ‘River Trail’ 5 days, 4 nights

$1225

SELF CATERING ‘River Trail’

$600

Camping PER PERSON PER NIGHT including camping fee, security, toilet and washing water

Custom Made Safaris

$25

Prices on request

Email: [email protected] Telephone : Adrian +254 717 793424, Jan Grootenhuis +254 733 637966 , Lekopien Parleto +254 722 936979