8 Days Lake Turkana, Chalbi Desert and Samburu Camping Safari

Depart in the early morning stopping at the viewpoint just outside of Nairobi. Depending on weather conditions; you will be able to spot Mt Longonot and Suswa in the far distance rising from the Rift valley floor. We continue northwards and make a brief stop at Nyahururu (option to visit Thompson falls briefly). Approaching Maralal; we drive alongside the Mugie conservancy where you may spot elephants, zebra, gazelles and giraffe from the roadside.

We arrive in the campsite in the late afternoon to pitch up tents for the night at the Maralal safari lodge camp grounds. (Particularly long drive; cold night).

Maralal is the unofficial capital of the Samburu people and has a distinctly frontier feel about it. It is also home of the Maralal International Camel Derby that happens o¬nce a year between July and October and attracts riders and spectators from all over the world.

Main activity: - scenery, animal “spotting”. Pitch up camp; basic dome-tent with shared washroom.

Optional activities: - entry fee into Thomson falls viewing platform. In Maralal: - guided nature walks with trained and experienced guides in the sanctuary

After breakfast, we begin a long but scenic drive towards the “Jade Sea.” Just outside of Maralal we make a brief stop at Malasso viewpoint on Losiolo Escarpment; to enjoy the stunning scenery. Etched with gorges, peaks and plains, a barren sun-bleached patch in the horizon is the valley of Suguta and beyond that is the very faint blue of Lake Turkana. We continue towards South Horr and Baragoi to arrive at a campsite in Loiyangalani in the late afternoon. Pitch tents; a perfect place to relax, protected from the scorching sun and heat characteristic of the climate of this remote area.

Main activity: - scenery, Pitch up camp; basic dome-tent with shared washroom.

There is the option to upgrade (at an additional cost) to cool traditional “bandas” complete with beds/ private washrooms.

The day is spent relaxing and exploring the area.

Lake Turkana is the largest desert lake in the world and extends for 288 kilometres up to the Ethiopian / Kenyan border surrounded by volcanic rock and desert.

Main activity: - scenery, cultural experience, pitch up camp; basic dome-tent with shared washroom.

Optional activities (payable direct) include: - visiting the Desert museum, enjoying a swim at the nearby lodge, hire a boat to explore the lake in search of crocodiles visit to el Molo/Turkana villages and exploring Loyangalani town. Return to the campsite for dinner and overnight.

Boat ride to South Island national park or Nabuyatom Crater. The journey to South Island National park is approx. 1 hours ride each way. Please note that boat rides are subject to wind and lake conditions on the day.

After an early breakfast we cross the Chalbi desert (if dry) via North Horr towards Kalacha. (If it has rained, we shall use another route avoiding the desert).

Kalacha is a small settlement on the edge of the Chalbi Desert inhabited by the Gabbra people (pastoralists particularly attached to their camels).

Main activity: - scenery, sundowner sunset over the desert, cultural experience.
Overnight in basic “banda” accommodation; shared washrooms.

Optional activity: - visit a Gabbra Village in the evening. Guided tour to view rock paintings and carvings can be found in a canyon near waterhole. Pitch up camp; basic dome-tent with shared washroom.

Break up camp in the early morning as we head south towards Marsabit (meaning place of cold); an astonishingly cool, green and hilly oasis rising high above the dry heat of the surrounding desert lands. En route we stop to enjoy views of the massive Gof Redo crater and desert landscape. This will be a cold night.

After setting up camp and as long as the roads are dry we drive up to Lake Paradise and Little Lake (seasonal). Here, an indigenous forest and a desert come together to create the most compelling landscape o¬n earth. The dense forest in the reserve is also home to elephants, kudu, water buck and a variety of birds.

Main activity: - Scenery, culture. Pitch up camp; basic dome-tent with shared washroom. Optional activity: - Walk around Marsabit town; market day is particularly vibrant.

Depart in the early morning along the Trans-African highway towards Samburu. Lunch en route and arrive Samburu National reserve in time for an afternoon game drive.

Accommodation in a campsite, beautifully set under a canopy of trees or we may pitch tents o¬n the edge of Uaso Nyiro River (meaning Brown in Samburu) if they are occupied. Cold showers are available which are amazingly refreshing in the hot, dusty climate.

Main activity: - Scenery, Game drives in Samburu National Reserve

The day is spent game viewing in the park. You may also opt to visit the lodge for a swim and cold drink or a nearby Samburu village (payable direct). The more adventurous can enjoy a swim in the natural hot spring in nearby Buffalo springs (depending on road conditions).

Samburu is part of a lava plain that includes a diverse landscape of thorn scrub, red dirt, dried river beds, broken volcanic rock, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings. The region is home to the uncommon Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk antelope, Somali ostriches, lions and Oryx. Elephant, crocodile and numerous bird make excellent sighting.

Main activity: - Game drives
Optional activity: - visit a Samburu village; local lodge for a swim/ cool drink

Depart camp after breakfast viewing game as we drive back to Nairobi via the Central highlands. We make a short stop at Nanyuki town for you to buy some refreshments and just after the town stop at the equator sign for a photo opportunity just before crossing back into the southern frontier. Depending on the weather; look out for views of Mount Kenya.

Arrive Nairobi in the late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel. End of services