Cultural Vacations in East Africa
East Africa is a land of diverse cultures, a land of various tribal groups that have a spectrum of traditions and customs that are unique to the African People. Hallmark Adventure Travel helps the traveler understand the people of the East Africa region by facilitating interaction on a daily basis with the rural fork of the areas covered by your journeys so that, by the conclusion of the safari, you are familiar enough with the local people to be able to understand a number of aspects of the traditions and customs of the native people. You get involved in the Day-to-Day activities that include oxen plough, tiling land with the hand hoe, fishing, harvesting maize (indian corn) and other farm products, attending local weddings and initiation ceremonies, visiting the local schools, churches and community projects etc.

The best of Cultural Tours in the East Africa region with customized itineraries to suit a spectrum of interests. These tours have durations that depend on the extent of cultural exposure that the traveler expects and all our itineraries are tailor made to these specifications. Please let us know of any earlier cultural experiences you might have had and in which areas of the world to enable us plan the "perfect" cultural tour for you. We are careful not to expose you to extreme culture shock and you are required to fill in a questionnaire to gauge the amount of culture that we can safely expose you to.

Kenya Cultural Tours, East Africa Cultural Immersions

In Kenya most of these cultural interactions takes place among the Abaluyia and the Luo tribes of Western Kenya, the Samburu and Turkana people of Northern Kenya and the Miji Kenda of the Coastal Region. These tours are also called cultural immersions and it is important to ensure that the traveler does not suffer from cultural shock by making the immersion as gradual as possible even as clients are prepared in advance of the things they may encounter. Some of these tours involve homestays where the traveler stays within a village for a few days to sample the lifestyles of these indigenous people. Every effort is made by Hallmark Adventure Travel to ensure that the families that our clients stay with are veted and meet the minimum requirements for safety and acceptable hospitality.

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Some of East Africa's Indigenous People

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Day 2: Mountain Lodge - Samburu Game Park
You have an option of taking a Nature Walk or taking a short Mountain climb. Have breakfast in the Bush. Walk down to the Lodge for Lunch. After lunch drive North to Samburu Game Reserve crossing the Equator at O* latitude where you stop to take pictures with the Snow Capped Mount Kenya which is Africa’s second highest Mountain on the back ground before proceeding to the park to arrive in the evening for Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena or similar.

Day 3: Samburu Game Park
Early morning game drive before breakfast. After breakfast visit a Samburu Village (Samburu is Tribe which is very closely related to the Masai Tribe and many or almost much of the things you see from their village might look similar to those of the Masai community so you have to be keen to detail and you will notice the difference) to see their way of life, how milking of cattle is done, how they make fire and remove blood from the a cow vein and drink. Return to the Lodge for Lunch. Afternoon Game drive. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge or similar.

Day 4: Samburu Game Park - Naro Moru River Lodge
Depart after breakfast and drive south crossing the Equator 0* latitude to arrive in time for Lunch at Naro Moru River Lodge. Afternoon free to do a short Mountain Climb of Africa’s second Highest Mountain. Mt. Kenya to Alpine area. Also you can go for TROUT fishing. Whatever you catch you can have for dinner as FRESH fish. Dinner and overnight at Naro Moru River Lodge.

Day 5: Naro Moru River Lodge - Lake Bogoria
Depart after breakfast and drive southwest through the Scenic Eastern Escarpment of The Great Rift Valley via Lake Nakuru to arrive at Lake Bogoria National Reserve in time for lunch at Lake Bogoria Hotel. Afternoon game and bird viewing. Also visit the Hot Springs and the communities around the Lake. You can also have a boat ride at the Lake using the local boats which are just little canoes or the Hotel boats. Dinner and overnight at Lake Bogoria Hotel.

Day 6: Lake Bogoria - Lake Baringo
After breakfast drive to Lake Baringo which is a short distance away arriving in time for lunch at Lake Baringo Country Club. Afternoon visit the Bee Farmers and see how honey is harvested. You will also have a chance to even taste it right from the Honey comb. Also visit the Njemps community Villages and see their way of life. Dinner and overnight at Lake Baringo Country Club or similar.

Day 7: Lake Baringo - Kerio Valley - Eldoret
After breakfast from the lodge, drive on the floor of The Great Rift Valley viewing the beautiful landscape and plains to Eldoret arriving in time for lunch at Hotel Sirikwa. Afternoon visit the Kerio Valley and the surrounding areas of interest . Dinner and overnight at Sirikwa Hotel or similar.

Day 8: Eldoret - Kitale - Mt Elgon
After breakfast drive through the Scenic Western Escarpment of The Great Rift Valley to Western Kenya, arriving in time for lunch at Kitale famous for its maize plantations to Mt. Elgon area arriving for lunch at Mt. Elgon Lodge. Afternoon visit the Kitum Caves to see the rock paintings and also visit the local communities’ villages. Dinner and overnight at Mt. Elgon Lodge or similar.

Day 9: Mt Elgon - Kakamega Forest
After breakfast from the lodge, still on your Western Kenya tour drive to Kakamega arriving in time for Lunch at Kakamega Golf Hotel. Afternoon visit the Kakamega Rain Forest to view the rare Red Columbus monkeys and the elusive forest animals, the abundant bird life like the beautiful Rose Turaco, butterflies and much more. Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat or similar

Day 10: Kakamega Forest
After breakfast visit the forest and the neighboring community villages to see their way of life. Lunch free to have either at hotel or with the local community. Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat or similar

Day 11: Kakamega Forest - Luo Forklore - Kisumu City
After breakfast, still on your Western Kenya tour drive to Lake Victoria the source of the World Famous RIVER NILE the only natural river that flows northwards knows as the life line of Egypt, arriving in time for Lunch at Sunset Hotel or Similar in Kisumu the Lake side town. Afternoon free to visit the local community villages and see their way of life or take a boat ride and tour the numerous islands and see then local community doing fishing. Dinner and overnight at Kisumu Sunset Hotel or Similar.

Day 12: Kisumu City - The Great Rift Valley - Masai Mara Game Park
After breakfast, drive South East through the Western Escarpment of The Great Rift Valley and down on its floor viewing the beautiful landscape and plains to the World famous Masai Mara, arriving in time for Lunch at Mara Serena Lodge. Afternoon Game viewing. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge or similar

Day 13: Masai Mara Game Park
Morning Game drive. Return to the Lodge for Lunch. Afternoon Game drive. Dinner and overnight at Mara Simba Lodge or Mara Sopa Lodge or Keekorok Lodge.

Day 14: Masai Mara Game Park
Morning Game drive. Return to the Lodge for Lunch. Afternoon Game drive. Dinner and overnight at Mara Simba Lodge or Mara Sopa Lodge or Keekorok Lodge.

Day 15: : Masai Mara Game Park - Nairobi
Early morning game drive. Breakfast and drive back to Nairobi arriving at around 1300 hrs. Afternoon free for last minute shopping before dinner at either the Panari Hotel or the Carnivore Restaurant and departure.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Inclusive
• First class accommodation at lodges or in tents as the case applies.
• Accommodation on safari on full board.
• All hotel service charges and taxes.
• Services of English speaking driver/guide.
• Transport in seven-seater minibus with pop up hatch.

Exclusives
• Tips.
• Laundry.
• Charges for visits to village homes.
• Air fares to and from Kenya.
• Membership of flying doctor service.

Surcharges:
A surcharge applies for single occupancy of twin bedded rooms - USD 1050
On Easter and Christmas holidays an extra charge per person per day applies and this varies from hotel but averages $75 per person per day.

Bull Fighting in Western Kenya