Maarifa 2026 Wildlife & Culture Safari
Wildlife. Culture. Conservation. Community.
30 Oct - 9 Nov 2026
a special departure for max 9 guests, hosted by our safari expert Kristy Thomson
Join us on a powerful 11-day, 10-night all-inclusive journey through Kenya’s iconic
landscapes—where world-class wildlife encounters meet meaningful community connection.
— it’s a journey that connects, protects and gives back.
SUMMARY
- Dates: 30th October – 9th November 2026
- Duration: 10 nights / 11 days
- Basis: Fully-inclusive tour
- Start / End: Nairobi, Kenya
- Group Size: Small and personal (max. 9 guests)
- Who It’s For: Solo travellers, couples, photographers, and adventurers who care
Over 11 unforgettable days, you’ll witness Africa’s iconic wildlife in their natural habitat, explore stunning landscapes, and experience authentic cultural encounters with the Maasai people.
But this safari is also about making a lasting impact.
Your journey directly supports:
- Wildlife habitat and species conservation
- Local schools and education initiatives
- Nature-based sustainable eco-tourism
- Maasai communities through education, employment and land-lease income
With experienced Aussie group leader, Kristy Thomson, expert local guides and a small group of like-minded travellers, you’ll enjoy immersive experiences — from day and night game drives in exclusive conservancies to visits with the very communities your trip supports.
Why join us?
- Ethical, conservation-focused travel
- Hands-on insight into the projects your safari helps fund
- Visits to local schools and time with Maasai communities
- A photographer’s dream with up-close wildlife encounters
- A life-changing trip — for you and the communities we support
This is more than a safari—it’s a chance to connect, contribute, and be part of lasting change in one of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems.
Price:
- $6200 USD pp twin share
- $6350 USD solo
- Ask about our special early bird offer
Spaces are limited — enquire now or view the full itinerary below
Tour Summary:
- 1 night Nairobi Tented Camp and visit Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
- 1 night Ololo Safari Lodge with game drives in Nairobi National Park
- 3 nights Porini Amboseli Camp located in Selenkay Conservancy with a full day excursion to Amboseli National Park. Visit an authentic Maasai Village, nature walks with Maasai warriors and get involved in activities at a local Maarifa supported school.
- 3 nights at Ol Kinyei Safari Cottages located in Ol Kinyei Conservancy, take a tour of our Mara Maarifa supported primary schools and meet your sponsored student.
- 2 nights at Porini Lion Camp located in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, known for its big cats!
- Option of a Hot air balloon safari and champagne breakfast in the Mara Reserve bush (additional charge).
- Sponsor a student for 1 year
- Participate in a Seedball activity to support new habitat areas
- Up to 9 travellers plus your host Kristy.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation, park / conservation fees, game drives, internal flights between camps, child sponsorship, and all listed activities. No hidden extras!
- Transfers, internal flights to and between camps, Flying Dr Medical Emergency Evacuation Insurance, Park and Conservancy Fees
- Accomodation, meals and drinks as stated
- 1 night Nairobi Tented Camp (B&B, drinks excluded) with visit to Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
- 1 night Ololo Safari Lodge with game drives in Nairobi National Park (all meals and drinks included)
- 3 nights Porini Amboseli Camp located in Selenkay Conservancy (all meals and drinks included)
- Full day excursion to Amboseli National Park
- Authentic Maasai Village visit
- Nature walks with Maasai warriors
- 3 nights at Ol Kinyei Safari Cottages located in Ol Kinyei Conservancy (all meals and drinks included)
- 2 nights at Porini Lion Camp located in Olare Motorogi Conservancy (all meals and drinks included)
Price Excludes:
International flights, visas, gratuities, breakfast / dinner on arrival day and lunch / dinner on departure day.
SAFARI ITINERARY
DAY 1: NAIROBI TENTED CAMP | 1 NIGHT
NAIROBI, KENYA
Arrival at the Jomo-Kenyatta International Airport where you will be welcomed by a Gamewatchers Safaris driver. Transfer to Nairobi Tented Camp. Here you will meet up with your fellow Maarifa tour travellers, ready to start the official tour the next morning. Overnight at Nairobi Tented Camp.
* depending on your flight arrival time, half board or full board can be added.
DAY 2: OLOLO SAFARI LODGE | 1 NIGHT
NAIROBI & NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK, KENYA
Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel, together you will be driven to visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage for their 11am bottle feed. After, transfer to Ololo Safari Lodge enjoying your first game drive, arriving in time for lunch. Explore the camp, enjoy an afternoon drink, and a rest in your new accomodation. Meet back in the lounge for a 4pm start game drive. After the afternoon game drive, returning on dark, enjoy dinner and drinks by the fire. Overnight at Ololo Safari Lodge.
DAY 3-5: PORINI AMBOSELI CAMP | 3 NIGHTS
SELENKAY CONSERVANCY, AMBOSELI, KENYA
Day 3: Taking your packed breakfast, meet your Gamewatchers driver at 6am for transfer to Wilson Airport for your 0730hrs flight to Selenkay Conservancy. Your Porini Amboseli Camp Guide will meet you at the airstrip at 0815hrs and take you on your first early morning game drive through the conservancy. Enjoy afternoon and evening game drives exploring Selenkay Conservancy. Enjoy sundowners at the elephant waterhole observation deck and using a spotlight to seek out nocturnal wildlife during the drive back to camp in the dark. After showers and dinner your Guide will provide an overview of the private conservancy model, what biodiversity outcomes have been achieved at Selenkay and how it is benefiting the local Maasai people while sitting around the camp fire. Overnight at Porini Amboseli Camp.
Day 4: Today is Maarifa day!
You will explore deeper into Selenkay Conservancy and learn so much more about the local people who live here and share their land with the wildlife which may include:
- Early morning game drive
- Nature walk with Maasai guides, learning about tracking and other signs, the small five, and the Selenkay/Amboseli ecosystem
- Visit to local village learning more about the way of life of the Maasai people, how they use the land and live with wildlife
- Visit Illoirero Primary School where The Maarifa Foundation is working and see some of the projects the community are delivering with the support from Australia. Students will take us on a school tour and talk about what they have been learning about in the Maarifa Mazingira Club. We will participate in a 'Seedballs' habitat regeneration activity.
- While at the school you will receive a small token of gratitude from the local Maasai community
- Game drive on way back to camp
- Tonight you have the option of a night game drive after dinner
Overnight at Porini Amboseli Camp
Day 5: After an early breakfast, depart for a drive through the bush, observing the changing habitat types, spending a full day in Amboseli National Park. Picnic lunch in the National Park at Observation Hill. Return in the late afternoon for showers, dinner and story time around the camp fire. Overnight at Porini Amboseli Camp.
DAY 6 - 8: PORINI OL KINYEI SAFARI COTTAGES | 3 NIGHTS
OL KINYEI CONSERVANCY, MAASAI MARA, KENYA
Day 6: Early morning game drive , returning to camp for breakfast. Transfer to airstrip for connecting flight to the Mara. Met at airstrip by your guide for a game drive across the Mara plains to Porini Ol Kinyei Cottages, located in Ol Kinyei Conservancy. Afternoon game drive, returning at dark using a
spotlight to observe nocturnal wildlife. After showers and dinner your guide will discuss about what he has seen to be the benefits of the private conservancy model for the Mara wildlife and local Maasai people while sitting around the campfire. Overnight at Porini Ol Kinyei Safari Cottages.
Day 7: Today is Maarifa day!
Wake up at dawn for an early morning game drive and enjoy a bush breakfast. Today you will go on nature walks with Maasai Guides, learning about the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, the migration, the big five and the radio tracking of cheetahs and lions. After lunch you will visit a local primary school (either Kishermoruak or Oloibormurt Primary School) where The Maarifa Foundation is working and spend some time with the students as they tell you about how they protect the environment. Take a tour of the school led by the School Head Teacher and our Maarifa Educator. Visit their new library and
participate in small school projects that are happening at the time of our travel. Sit in on one of the Mazingira Class lessons and join in on the discussion.
While at the school you will receive a small token of gratitude from the local Maasai community. Game drive on the way back to camp, using spotlight to observe nocturnal wildlife. Return to camp for showers, dinner and stories by the campfire. Overnight at Porini Ol Kinyei Safari Cottages.
Day 8: While some opt to enjoy a dawn hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara, others will enjoy a game drive in the conservancy. Take a picnic breakfast and return to camp to all catch up at lunch.
After some time to relax we head out on an afternoon game drive, and sundowners as we watch the sun sunset over the conservancy.
Dinner and overnight at Porini Ol Kinyei Safari Cottages.
Hot air balloon safari with champagne breakfast is an optional add-on
DAY 9 - 10: PORINI LION CAMP | 2 NIGHTS
OLARE MOTOROGI CONSERVANCY, MAASAI MARA, KENYA
Day 9: After a early morning game drive, return back to camp for breakfast and check out. Say good bye to the Cottages as you transfer (game drive en-route) to Porini Lion Camp located in Olare Motorogi Conservancy. After a warm welcome and check in, settle in to your new home for the next 2 nights. After lunch, head out on an afternoon game drive and explore the Conservancy. Overnight at Porini Lion Camp.
Day 10: A full day to explore Olare Motorogi Conservancy. A bush breakfast and nature walk maybe? Maybe an evening night game drive? Let’s see what the day brings. Overnight at Porini Lion Camp.
DAY 11: FLY TO NAIROBI AND DEPART
Day 11: Enjoy an early morning game drive before breakfast. On check out, head to airstrip for 11.15am flight back to Nairobi. Transfer to Jomo-Kenyatta International Airport for your onward International flight.
Option to visit Giraffe Centre before heading to the airport (additional cost)
Meet Your Host, Kristy Thomson
"Hello, I'm Kristy, your Australian-based Safari Adviser for Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps.
My background in ecology and conservation management, combined with a deep passion for nature and the great outdoors, led me to Kenya where I instantly fell in love with its spectacular wildlife and warm-hearted people.
Having spent significant time at our Porini Camps and explored other camps we offer, I bring intricate knowledge to help craft your ultimate wildlife safari adventure. Whether you're seeking the thrill of the savannah or the serenity of the wilderness, I'm here to make your safari dreams a reality".
About The Maarifa Foundation
The Maarifa Foundation is a charity based in Australia and Kenya, dedicated to supporting education and conservation in Maasai communities living alongside some of Kenya’s most important wildlife areas in Amboseli and the Mara. In appreciation of the Maasai community’s role in conserving these areas, The Maarifa Foundation works alongside Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps to directly support families with the costs of education—building a stronger future for both people and wildlife.
Special Discounted Rate
To make it easy for you to book a Porini safari adventure, our prices are all fully-inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport, day & night game drives, guided walks, sundowners and conservancy fees.
Price (US Dollars):
US$ 6700 per person, based on sharing a Twin tent / room
US$ 6850 per person, based on single use of a tent / room
Book Now - limited spaces available!
Want to Extend Your Safari Adventure?
Why not extend your trip and experience more of Kenya, or add a beach escape to Kenya’s coast or Zanzibar? Here’s why extending your safari is a great idea:
- More Time, More Wildlife: Add extra nights at Porini Lion Camp
- Visit a different region: whether in Kenya or you venture into Uganda or Rwanda for a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience.
- Unwind in Style: Relax on the white-sand beaches of Diani, Watamu or Zanzibar after your safari adventure.
- Tailored Just for You: Whether you want more wildlife, cultural experiences, or pure relaxation, we can design the perfect extension!
If you're thinking about adding extra days, let’s make it happen! Get in touch to explore your options.
Get in touch with Kristy
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© 2025 | Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps
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Gamewatchers Safaris Ltd
Opposite The Hub Karen Shopping Center
Africa Reit Lane
Karen
Nairobi
PO Box 380-00502
Kenya
Tel: +254-774-136523