Maji Moto

The jumping off point for all many of our walks and bike trips through Maasailand is the bustling township of Narok. Another half hour’s drive south from Narok will take you to the start of many of our trips, where you will meet your guides who will lead you across the dry, flat, open and windy plains, for the first stage of your walk, to the village of Maji Moto. The name “Maji Moto” crops up across much of East Africa’s Rift Valley. In Kiswahili it translates literally as “hot water” (maji – water, moto – hot) and here it refers to the natural, hot springs that provide water for the local community. It is a constant source of clean water for both people and animals.

The Community run camp-site is close to the hot springs, at the foot of the Loita Hills and we normally arrive in time for a late lunch after being greeted by some of the local warriors and camp staff. During the afternoon you will be able to relax at the camp-site or go for a short walk up into the hills behind the camp. Not far from the camp is a Women's village, home to many widows who have been given somewhere to live by some of the local elders. These women earn some money from the beadwork they sell to visitors and also are employed to provide the camp with firewood and water.

The camp also has a number of cottages available for people not wishing to spend the night in a small tent. These cottages are made using traditional Maasai building techniques and are a comfortable alternative to a night on the ground.

Not far from the camp is the Enkiteng Lepa School, founded by an inspirational Maasai woman, Hellen Nkuraiya who rescues girls from FGM and early marriage. If we are there during term time it is normally possible for us to arrange a visit to the school and hear about Hellen's work and witness at first hand the fantastic things she is doing to change girls' lives in her part of the world, providing them with education and a future.

In the early evening, it is normally possible to visit the hot springs which, as well as providing water for drinking, are used for communal bathing. Two areas, close to the source, are set aside for washing: one for men, the other for women. Needless to say, in a male dominated society, the men’s area is upstream of the women’s! You will be welcome to join the locals and use these natural baths to soak away the day’s dust. Be aware that this communal bathing is done in the nude which is partly why we tend to use the baths in the early evenings. However, if you feel it necessary, wearing swimming costumes is acceptable. Sitting in the hot water under the African night and washing away the day’s dust is a unique and surreal experience.

If you want to stay in Maji Moto for more than one night we do offer the option of going into the hills near the camp and tracking elephant for the day. This is normally a six to seven hour walk and also involves carrying a packed lunch with you. Alternatively you can make an early start and walk for the same length of time south, past the town of Ngoswani, to the village of Lebentera to camp at our private camp-site of Ilparakuo. While you are walking the camp staff will break camp and move it on so it is ready for your arrival at the other end. The walk is relatively flat but the ground is very hard and it is comparable with spending the day walking on concrete and many people suffer from sore feet and blisters if they aren’t wearing footwear they are used to.