21 Days Lake Turkana Safari – Kenya Wildlife & Cultural Safari Tour

Get off the trodden tourist tracks on this camping expedition to remote, isolated and wild parts of northern Kenya. Journey along rough African roads to picture Nairobi, Lake Turkana and the stark Chalbi Desert then lush Marsabit National Park and the game-rich Samburu National Reserve, exploring Sibiloi national park, Maralal, sweet waters, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara national reserve travelling by 4×4 Land Cruiser.

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Arrive in Kenya for the safari to explore the beautiful country. Our Guide will be waiting at the airport to welcome you and give you the keys for the Land cruiser. You will transfer to Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi for dinner and a night.

Day 2: Discover Nairobi

Nairobi provides some of the best activities for a day visit. From wildlife sanctuaries to museums or craft markets to cultural experiences. It is not possible to engage in all these activities, a few will be chosen today. Start with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum which is a set at the foot of the Ngong hills to learn about her works and time when she lived in Kenya. Then the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to watch a baby elephant play in the mud and feed. After this, proceed to the Giraffe centre for an experience feeding the giraffe up close and or even a giraffe kiss. The centre serves as a refuge for the endangered Roth child’s giraffe. The tour will end with a visit to a craft centre where women make beautiful crafts and ceramic work.

Day 3: Transfer to Samburu National Park

After breakfast, you will set off on your 6-7 hour journey to Samburu National Game Reserve where you will arrive at lunch time. Have your meal, relax abit and embark on an afternoon game drive in this stunning Reserve in the Northern part of Kenya to spot plenty of animals including Lions, Zebras, Hippos, Reticulated Giraffe, Oryx Antelopes many more. You will later return to Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp or Samburu Riverside Camp for dinner and a night.

Day 4: Full day in Samburu National Reserve

Arise and shine in this stunning reserve in Northern part of Kenya, you will have breakfast served and packed lunch will be given because you are not returning back to the lodge. After which you will be picked up by your Safari driver/ guide for a full day game drive in this beautiful Reserve spotting plenty of wildlife including the Big 5 game with exception of the Rhinos. Amongst the animals to look out for in Samburu Reserve include Oryx, Zebras, Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, Cheetahs, Gerenuk, Leopards and many more. After spending an entire day over here you will retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight sleep as above.

Note: There is an optional activity of visiting the Samburu homesteads for a cultural tour/ experience.

Day 5: Transfer to Marsabit

Today you have an early breakfast. Then you drive south towards the outpost of Marsabit. Along the way, we pause to admire the desert landscapes and the huge crater of Gof Redo. Arriving at our campsite in Marsabit we set up camp and visit a nearby lodge inside the Marsabit National Park. The town of Marsabit is almost entirely surrounded by the green hills of Marsabit National Park and is far cooler than the low lying desert plains of the region, hence its name which means ‘place of cold’.

If road conditions permit then we take a drive up to the beautiful Lake Paradise and Little Lake, two of the scenic seasonal lakes on Mount Marsabit. Surrounded by barren desert Marsabit National Park is a lush oasis of indigenous rainforest rising up above the hot plains. The national park provides refuge for a rich variety of wild animals and bird species, including large-tusked elephants and kudu. After exploring Marsabit Park we return to Lake Paradise campsite for dinner and a night.

Day 6: Kalacha / Chalbi

This morning we are up early for breakfast, before setting off into the Chalbi Desert (conditions allowing). If it is dry enough we drive via North Horr to Kalacha. If the roads are too wet we take an alternative route, skirting the desert.

Our destination for today is the isolated small village of Kalacha, clustered around an oasis on the fringes of the Chalbi Desert. Here we encounter an Eastern Cushite group of people called the Gabbra. Camels play a central role in the lives of these semi-nomadic pastoralists and can be seen roaming around Kalacha. This evening we sit back and watch the sunset over the arid landscape followed by an optional (extra cost) performance by the local Gabbra. Dinner and a night at Kalacha camp site

Day 7: Transfer to Sibiloi National Park

You will have to depart to Sibiloi National Park which encompasses 1,570 square kilometers (600 square miles) along the shores of Lake Turkana. Beyond the shores of the alkaline lake, the only water source in the region, the terrain is a mix of dry, semi-desert bush, and near the desert open country. The park was established partly through the initiative of the national museums of Kenya to protect unique paleontological and archaeological sites, some of which are linked to the origins of humans. Dinner and overnight at the Lobolo campsite or Sibiloi campsite

Day 8: Full day exploring Sibiloi National Park

Today Morning after having your breakfast, go for a game drive in the park, lookout for terrestrial animals such as Grevy’s zebras, Grant gazelles, lions, leopards, striped hyenas, Beisa Oryx, greater kudu, cheetahs, caracal and northern topi among others, while on your game drive enjoy beautiful sceneries of sand dunes that go high up to 40 feet, and also visit the oasis in the park with gushing water from hot rocks. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon visit Lake Turkana Island which is a breeding ground for crocodiles, watch the crocodiles and hippos, plus numerous bird species surrounding the lake. Return for dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 9: Transfer to Loiyangalani / Lake Turkana

After breakfast on day two, we begin the long journey to Lake Turkana. Today’s drive takes us via Baragoi and South Horr to the small town of Loiyangalani on the southeastern shore of Lake Turkana.

We arrive at our next campsite in Loiyangalani late this afternoon and set up camp. Then you are free to relax and take in the desolate scenery of this remote and hot region. Lake Turkana is the largest alkaline lake in the world as well as being the world’s largest desert lake, covering an area of about 7000 km². The lake is situated in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, stretching 288km’s across northern Kenya and just over into Ethiopia. Lake Turkana, also known as the Jade Sea, is surrounded by desert terrain with the Chalbi Desert lying to the east. Dinner and a night at Elmolo campsite

Day 10: Exploring Lake Turkana

Day ten is set aside for exploring Lake Turkana, its arid surroundings and the interesting local cultures. You are free to explore on foot and take a swim at the nearby lodge, or enjoy some of the optional activities available here at extra cost (payable directly). If you would like to see more of the lake and spot Nile crocodiles and birds you can hire a boat. Head to el Molo and Loiyangalani town or one of the other local villages of Turkana to see how the locals live and gain insight into life in this harsh environment. To find out more about the indigenous local cultures and natural heritage of Lake Turkana visit the Desert Museum. This evening we meet back at camp for dinner after a fun and relaxing day at the lake.

Day 11: Transfer to Maralal

After breakfast, you will transfer to Maralal, we have the option of stopping at Thompson Falls to view the scenic 74m tall waterfall (payable directly). We have lunch en route and arrive at our campsite in the late afternoon. After pitching the tents for our first night of camping we settle down for dinner and a good night’s rest after our long drive. Dinner and a night at Ngari Hill guest house and campsite

Day 12: Camel trekking and walking

After breakfast you will embark for game viewing or camel riding. The park is home to zebra, eland, hyena and other animals. On the way, you will see the Samburu people who dominate this harsh environment. The small market town of Maralal is mostly home to Samburu people, whom you will see going about their daily lives. The Samburu are a sub-tribe of the more famous Maasai of Kenya. These semi-nomadic people have retained their traditional ways to a larger extent than the Maasai and are known for their friendliness.

Day 13: Transfer to Sweet waters

Breakfast is followed by morning drive from Samburu to the beautiful Sweet waters Private Sanctuary. Arrive for check in and lunch at the luxurious camp which is set amidst total wilderness in a private ranch and Chimpanzee sanctuary. Spend the afternoon exploring the game sanctuary in the company of your guide. Dinner and a night at Sweet waters Serena Camp.

Day 14: Exploring Sweet waters

Breakfast is followed by full day exploration of the sanctuary which is home to the big five, many birds, black rhino, and a water hole facing your rooms; which attracts animals during the day and night. Night game drives are available at the camp.

Day 15: Transfer to Lake Naivasha

Early morning game, return for heavy breakfast then drive to Lake Naivasha. Settle down for lunch, relax a while and then go for a boat ride in Lake Naivasha in search of hippos and the birdlife. After the boat ride you will have time to relax or take a walk in the nearby village to meet with the locals before you settle down for a delicious dinner at Naivasha west beach camp or Fisherman’s camp.

 Day 16: Transfer to Lake Nakuru national park

Have your breakfast at the lodge, after which you will check out and you connect to Lake Nakuru national park. Upon arrival, check in at Enjoro camp for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive to watch plenty of wildlife such as Rhinos, Buffaloes, and many other animals except elephants. You will as well watch abundant of birdlife. Drive back to at the camp site for dinner and an overnight.

Day 17: Exploring Lake Nakuru

After breakfast, you will go for game drive around the shore lake. Besides the flamingos that the lake is famous for, there are approx. 400 other species of birds visiting the lake. Also, many species of game can be found in the park including the introduced Rothschild’s giraffe, black and white rhino, waterbuck, reedbuck, lion, buffalo, leopard, baboon and many species of plains game.

 Day 18: Transfer to Masai Mara

After breakfast, Descend the escarpment to Narok Town with a quick stop over to grab yourself snacks before you proceed to Masai Mara. Arrive in time for lunch and relax as you refresh waiting for an afternoon game drive. Afternoon game drives around the Mara plains famous for its big cats. Dinner and a night at Ol Moran tented camp or Talek camp site.

Day 19 & 20: Exploring Masai Mara

Breakfast at the lodge then proceed with picnic lunch for a full day game drive. Spend the day in Masai Mara, Kenya’s most popular game sanctuary where you will have high chances of spotting the Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. Game drives are flexible, with the option of going out with picnic lunch boxes to spend entire day in the park, or you can choose to have an early morning and late afternoon game drives. At extra cost you may visit a local Masai village to see their nomadic lifestyle; the Masai are famous for their bravery, as they have co-existed with the animals over the years or go for a Hot Air Balloon ride.

Day 21: Transfer to Nairobi

After your breakfast, you will depart Masai Mara National Reserve for Nairobi. Drop off at the airport for departure.

 

END OF 21 DAYS EXPLORING KENYA

The Package includes:

  • Ground Transportation
  • Camp sites and meals
  • Park fees
  • Game drives
  • Nature/game walks
  • Services of English speaking Driver
  • En-route lunches

Excludes:

  • Travel insurance.
  • Airfares
  • Visa Fees
  • Personal Insurance
  • Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone & cigarettes.
  • Tipping fees.
  • Soft or alcoholic drinks.