Maasai Wedding Safari

Duration: 3 nights

Imagine a wedding in the middle of the African wilderness, in a local village, where the tribe makes you part of their village and takes you through a ceremony based on their ancient customs which are still practiced today.

Day 01 - NAIROBI - MASAI MARA

On arrival at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met by a Sanctuary Retreats representative who will transfer you to Wilson Airport for your connecting flight to the Masai Mara.  As you approach the Mara, the beauty of the wilderness below takes your breath away.  This vast wild wilderness, where the ancient culture of the Maasai people is still a part of everyday life, will be the venue for your private and intimate traditional Maasai wedding.  Your Sanctuary Olonana guide will meet you on arrival and transfer you to the camp.  Enjoy a first glimpse of the Mara's wildlife as you drive to the camp (about 15 minutes), you may be rewarded with sightings of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a host of plains' game.

On arrival at camp there is time to relax and freshen up in your tent before lunch is served.  The tents are very spacious and have floor to ceiling mosquito netting, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, flush lavatories, solar lighting and large, river view verandahs.

After lunch you can choose to relax by the pool or take advantage of the spa and enjoy a treatment before you go out on an afternoon game viewing  drive.  Return to camp in the early evening and freshen up.

This evening begin preparation for your traditional Maasai wedding ceremony by meeting with the elders of the Maasai village.  The elders will share their ancient traditions with you and take you through the steps of a traditional wedding ceremony explaining what each step symbolises.

After the meeting relax and enjoy a drink before dinner.

Meal Plan:  lunch, dinner

Overnight: Sanctuary Olonana

Day 02 - MASAI MARA

Start this special day of your holiday watching the sun rise as you enjoy a fresh cup of tea or coffee on your private tent deck listening to the noises of the hippos in the river below.  Then, take in the fresh morning air and enjoy an early morning game viewing drive in the park, returning to camp for a full breakfast on the main deck overlooking the Mara River.

After a nice sumptuous breakfast, the Sanctuary Olonana team will take you to the Maasai village where the Maasai elders will be waiting to receive you into the village.  At a Maasai wedding, the couple will be separated and will acquire new parents and a Maasai family.  The bride will be led away by the women as they sing and dance traditional songs.  They will dress her up in her 'wedding dress', which is adorned with beaded decoration made by the women.

The groom will spend time with the warriors of the village who will assist him to dress. He then has to participate in a Maasai tradition where he competes with other warriors in a traditional jumping ceremony to prove himself a worthy warrior and husband.

As the elders start the ceremony to bless the couple, the rest of the village joins in the singing.  The bride and groom will witness a mock exchange of gifts to the elders usually cows and other domestic animals).  The couple then lead a procession to present a walking stick to the bride's father and the whole wedding party follows, as the warriors flank the procession with song and dance.   At the groom's home his parents and relatives welcome the party with pledges of gifts.  Here a few ceremonies take place and the bride is given a new Maasai name.

As elders bless the bride and groom the wedding party erupts in song and dance to celebrate the union and they are escorted to Sanctuary Olonana to continue their celebrate.  Drinks will be served on the main deck overlooking the Mara River before lunch is served.

There is time to relax before the afternoon game viewing drive

This evening a special candle lit dinner on your private tent deck will be served with chilled sparkling wine as you celebrate this memorable day.

Meal Plan:  Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight: Sanctuary Olonana

Day 03 - MASAI MARA

This morning after breakfast, venture out led by our expert guides to explore the Mara.  

The Mara is a fabulous place for seeing big cats and all of the big five, a variety of plains game and over 300 birds species.  The plains offer a rich variety of food for the dominant wildebeest and topi, eland and buffalo, Thompson's and Grant's gazelle.  In the Mara River, hippos submerge to snort and grumble while crocodiles sunbathe, mouths agape, on the riverbanks.  Around July to October, there's the greatest show on earth - the wildebeest migration.

On one day you could walk with our naturalist and learn about plants, trees, insects and even how to approach animals on foot, as your guide shows you how to spot animals signs which are everywhere but not that easily noticed.

Return to camp for lunch and then spend the afternoon at leisure.

Relax by the pool or revitalize at our mini-spa which offers a range of treatments from facials to body massages. Sanctuary  Olonana earned a silver award from Ecotourism Kenya - You can visit the wetlands which cleanses wastewater before returning it to the natural environment or take part in our tree planting initiative which offers an opportunity to purchase and plant an indigenous tree leaving a positive mark on a piece of Africa.

Mid-afternoon high tea will be served before your next activity.

During your stay there are a variety of activities that can be booked on request.  Possibly a balloon safari.  Float gently over the plains with a bird's eye view of the game below as the sun rises slowly over the horizon.  After around one hour the balloon lands and nearby a full breakfast is served in the middle of the bush with glasses of bubbly to toast your flight!

or 

An adventure on Lake Victoria.  Take an early flight by light aircraft to the lake.  Try fishing for the legendary giant Nile perch found in these waters as you explore the myriad of tiny islands or stop at a traditional fishing village and see how the villagers live from day to day before flying back to the Masai Mara.

On  your last evening drive out into the bush where a private and secluded clearing has been prepared for an elegant dinner in the middle of the wilderness.  The table setting is as sophisticated and elegant as found in the finest restaurants.  Candles flicker in the darkness,  throwing golden lights on the table cloth as smiling waiters serve a delicious dinner.  After dinner retire to the warmth of the campfire where brandies and liqueurs are served as guests relax and absorb the peace and beauty of an African night.

Meal Plan:  Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight: Sanctuary Olonana

Day 04 - MARA - NAIROBI

Spend your last morning game viewing in the Mara and return to camp for lunch.  In the afternoon your guide will transfer you to the airstrip for the flight to Nairobi's Wilson Airport.  As you fly over this vast wild wilderness you will now have your own memories and will be a part of its ancient culture.

On arrival in Nairobi we will transfer you to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight.

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