Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp

Asante sana for a warm welcome by the Maasai people at Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp. The tents were comfortable and cosy. Amenities were clean and warm water was available at given times. We enjoyed the local cuisine including goat meat. We climbed the local hill with great views, and visited the local traditional village. We learned much about the Maasai culture. At every step we were accompanied by a local Maasai warrior for safety - after all we are in the wild beasts' territory.

This will be one of the highlights of our trip. Very welcoming with a good deck to relax and lunch outside in a clearing under the trees. We were given a room although we'd booked the 'spend the night in the bush' . Everything spotlessly clean. A gentle hour + afternoon walk (try to throw my spear/this is the deodorant leaf etc) led us to the bush camp with leaf mattresses set out. The goat came by motorbike, the fire was lit by rubbing sticks, the goat killed and roasted by the fire. There were 2 of us and 5 Maasai, who sang and danced as well. The chief (who owns the land) speaks good English and told us he does this as much to keep the Maasai culture alive as for tourists. The memorable reason for not giving 5 stars was that from the time we got into our sleeping bags it rained all night so no sleep as we ended up sleeping in a puddle of water and 100% soaked. We'd asked about rain before we left and surely they must have known? It would have been inadvisable to walk back in the dark but a bit of plastic sheeting would have been enough to keep much of the rain out. That said it felt like a true community with good conversations to encourage understanding of the Maasai and recommended.

Incredible and authentic experience. A refresher of the beauty of the ancestral knowledge and spirit. The food, activities and accommodation were all perfect - especially the natural hot shower. Koila, Rose, Ghidei, Moissa and all the other staff made my stay so special, I definitely recommend for anyone visiting Kenya that this is a must.

Wonderful from the first moment when we were welcomed with an embrace that wrapped us in our own shuka. The welcome committee performed a traditional ceremony. Then we were treated to lunch under the tree tops. The accommodations are beautiful and comfortable. The open air bath is so beautiful. The surroundings are so peaceful and pastoral. We were served tea (hot cocoa) in the late afternoon with mandazi. Then watched the goats come home. A traditional fire starting and blazing bonfire followed by a delicious dinner (inside as the rains came). Our hosts Susan and Salatan were so generous with their stories and time. All the guests were rapt. Seeing the night sky was mesmerizing. Breakfast in the garden was a perfect end. I am so happy we were able to experience this once in a lifetime moment. Thank you.

Can’t say enough about how great Maji Moto Cultural Camp was! I was traveling alone and I felt so cared for and safe! They were waiting for me at the bus station in Narok to take me to the camp- easy peasy. Susan was amazing helping me with the logistics, not only of my stay with them, but in booking forward travel as well. All the employees were so sweet and kind and attentive- they knew what I wanted before I did. They made sure I had a hot shower when I wanted it, showed up at my door with an umbrella when it rained, and brought me endless cups of chai. The setting is gorgeous and peaceful- almost magical. The ground rose quartz earth sparkles in the sunlight and feels like an otherworldly heaven. There are endless activities to help one soak up the Massai cultural. And the choice is always there to participate or not. Goat milking, hot springs, long walks, game drives, beading, the list goes on. The difference between being welcomed in this camp and in visiting a roadside pay-for-play village was remarkable. Here I felt truly welcomed by the locals and we shared stories and songs at the campfire. I made lifelong friends and memories at Maji Moto. I am so grateful to the wonderful hosts and employees! Don’t miss this gem if u have the chance!

My partner and I had a wonderful stay at Maji Moto Cultural Camp for 2 nights in Sep 2023. Being budget travellers, this is normally out of our price-range, but the experience was worth every penny and more. We were made to feel very welcome by Chief Salaton, Susan, the staff and the community, and we left feeling like family. The Olpul Bush Camp was a very special experience, I won't give away any surprises, only saying that it will go down as one of the most memorable nights of my life. We learnt a lot about the Maasai way to live, and everything about the programme is well thought-out and felt genuine. The food was delicious and plentiful, and the cow-dung cottage was very comfortable. We are very very very very happy to have come here as our first stop travelling around Kenya. Ashe everyone!

We spent a wonderful 24 hours at Maji Moto, learning about the Masai way of life. We visited the local school and women’s village; walked to the hot spring; and enjoyed gathering around the campfire before a beautiful dinner by candlelight. There were other activities but it would spoil the experience to detail them all… The traditional huts were comfortable to sleep in and the meals were delicious. The kids had a wonderful time exploring Masai traditions - special thanks to Rose for taking such great care of our girls (they miss you!) and to Chief Salaton for the wonderful hospitality.

Like many other reviewers we found this a fascinating and unique experience. We enjoyed learning about Masai culture and some of the activities, particularly the campfires with singing. the day trip to Masai Mara was simply amazing. We also found a visit to a nearby school, established by the camp’s impressive founder, very interesting. The staff are all very kind and helpful and engage with the guests; we had a great few rounds of Connect Four with the young woman who earlier had shown us how to do Masai beadwork. Despite the rustic accommodations, everything is scrupulously clean and the showers, fed by a nearby warm spring, are a marvel. That said, a few caveats, that are certainly not reasons not to go but things to be aware of. First at least some of the accommodations are rustic. Our mud cabin/hut was very small, with no plumbing and electricity only at some times. The bed was comfortable. The communal bathrooms do not have flush toilets and can be a distance. The food is apparently traditional and repetitive and of varying quality. Because wild animals live in the area—that’s one reason to be here of course—guests are not allowed to venture outside the camp alone. Even inside the camp staff will approach you, often a bit persistently, to inquire if you’re lost or need help. It can be hard to persuade them you don’t. At first I was a bit dismayed by some of this but as our three days continued, I gradually warmed up to the place and am now delighted to have had this experience.

Maji Moto Lodge is an absolute "MUST GO PLACE" when you visit Kenya. It's one of a kind. A really wonderful surprise! I've been visiting Kenya for over 30 years and have been on many safaris, stayed at many lodges and camps. Maji Moto is spectacular! Private accommodations, in their different categories, as well as the public areas, are impeccably clean and comfortable (hot showers, flush toilets). Food is homemade and fresh every day. Interior design and architecture are so beautiful and authentic. Be prepared for plenty of activities. And then, of course, you must go on a "safari" (game drive) in the world-famous Maasai Mara National Park. The lodge. Access from Nairobi is easy, even if you drive yourself. It's a tarred road all the way, until you reach the property (7 kms/4.3 miles only) because you are entering the real Maasai territory and world. Highly recommend!