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A volcanic crater above the shore of Lake Turkana

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Northern Kenya

Wilderness, desert & the remote sides of Kenya

11 days
10 nights
Private trip for 2–6 people
from €2,750 p.p.

Northern Kenya is vast, rugged and surprisingly diverse. This journey takes us away from the classic safari routes through one of the most remote regions of Kenya – with spectacular landscapes, relatively little tourism and experiences that are rarely found on a conventional Kenya trip.

From Nairobi, we travel via Nanyuki and the Equator crossing to Samburu, before continuing north. We experience the unique wildlife of Samburu National Reserve, the sacred Mt. Ololokwe, the surprisingly green Marsabit National Park and remote Lake Paradise before reaching Lake Turkana via Maikona, Kalacha and the Chalbi Desert.

At the “Jade Sea”, the Nabiyotum Crater offers a special adventure before we continue to Ngurunit and the Ndoto Mountains. The journey ends there with a hike and the natural rock pools and water slides.

Long drives, challenging tracks and simple accommodation are part of this journey. In return, we discover a side of Kenya that relatively few travelers get to see.

A trip for anyone who wants not simply to see Kenya, but really to experience it.

Livestock at a watering place beside domed huts in the dry north

The route

From Samburu farther north – across the Chalbi Desert to Lake Turkana and the Ndoto Mountains.

Nairobi
Samburu
Marsabit
Maikona
Kalacha
Loiyangalani
Nabiyotum Crater
Ngurunit

The route at a glance – simply zoom in on the map for more detail. Further information can be found in the detailed itinerary.

11 Days Northern Kenya – Highlights

01 Samburu National Reserve Discover the “Samburu Special Five” – reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and gerenuk – as well as elephants, lions and leopards.
02 Mt. Ololokwe Experience the distinctive table mountain that is sacred to the Samburu and rises dramatically from the dry landscape of northern Kenya.
03 Marsabit National Park Discover a surprisingly green volcanic oasis with dense mountain forest, crater lakes and the opportunity to see elephants.
04 Lake Paradise Experience a remote crater lake hidden among the dense forest of Marsabit National Park.
05 Chalbi Desert Cross one of Kenya’s most spectacular and remote desert landscapes, with vast salt and clay plains, volcanic rock and deep red sand.
06 Maikona & Kalacha Discover green oases and vital water sources in the middle of the dry Chalbi landscape.
07 Lake Turkana – the “Jade Sea” Reach the world’s largest permanent desert lake and one of Kenya’s most extraordinary landscapes.
08 Nabiyotum Crater Cross Lake Turkana by boat and hike up to the distinctive volcanic crater at the southern end of the lake.
09 Ndoto Mountains & Ngurunit Hike through the impressive mountain landscape and then cool off in natural rock pools and water slides.
10 Cultures of Northern Kenya Discover the different communities and ways of life along our route through remote northern Kenya.

Why Northern Kenya?

Most travelers to Kenya stay south of the Equator and focus on well-known safari destinations such as the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo. And for good reason: these regions are spectacular and offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Northern Kenya, however, is a completely different way of traveling.

The further north we go, the more remote the landscape becomes. Roads turn into tracks, distances grow and tourism becomes much less common. At times, we drive for days without seeing another tourist vehicle.

Instead of vast savannahs and busy national parks, we encounter desert, volcanic craters, mountains, oases, dry riverbeds and the enormous Lake Turkana. The wildlife is different too: in Samburu we encounter species adapted to the dry habitats of the north, while Marsabit, with its dense mountain forest, provides a completely unexpected contrast.

The north is also culturally diverse. Different communities with their own traditions and ways of life live along our route.
Here, tourism is less focused on visitors and more about getting to know a region where life is still strongly shaped by nature, climate, livestock, water and vast distances.

Northern Kenya is adventure. Long tracks, remote landscapes, little tourism and the feeling of truly being on the road make this journey something very special.

If you already know the classic Kenya safari or are deliberately looking for a real adventure away from the well-known routes, Northern Kenya is the right destination for you.

Fewer people, more space, extraordinary landscapes and a side of Kenya that very few travelers get to experience.

Lake Turkana

Lake Turkana is one of the most extraordinary places on our journey.

Its unusual greenish-blue color has earned it the nickname “Jade Sea”. At around 290 kilometers long, it is the world’s largest permanent desert lake and one of the largest alkaline lakes in the world.

The vastness of the desert and the intense blue of the water meet here – an almost surreal sight: an enormous lake in the middle of the desert, a landscape unlike anywhere else in Kenya.

At the southern end of the lake lies the distinctive Nabiyotum Crater.
The remote volcanic crater is difficult to reach – a several-hour boat journey across open Lake Turkana leads to this extraordinary place. From the top, you get a unique view over the lake and the surrounding desert landscape.

A leopard resting on a branch in the forest

Samburu & Marsabit

Samburu National Reserve. Samburu is nothing like the classic savanna landscapes you may know from the Maasai Mara.
The dry, rocky landscape along the Ewaso Ng’iro River is home to species that are particularly well adapted to this environment: reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and gerenuk, collectively known as the “Samburu Special Five.” Elephants and lions also live here, and with some luck, you may spot leopards.

Marsabit National Park. Marsabit could hardly be more different.
In the middle of the arid north, the extinct Mount Marsabit rises from the landscape, with dense, green mountain forest growing along its slopes. Several crater lakes lie within the forest, including the remote Lake Paradise.

These two places show how diverse the north can be – and that is exactly what makes it so special.

Chalbi Desert

The Chalbi Desert in northern Kenya is often described as Kenya’s only true desert and is also one of the driest and most extraordinary landscapes in the country.

The name Chalbi comes from the language of the Gabbra and is translated as “bare, salty place”.
The area was once shaped by lakes and wetlands – today, the vast salt flats are a reminder of this past. The landscape is characterized by dried-out lake beds, volcanic rock and deep red sand.

Depending on the section, the appearance of the desert changes considerably: from almost white, flat salt plains and dark volcanic fields to dunes and red-colored sand landscapes. In between are small oases such as Maikona and Kalacha, whose water sources are of great importance to the people and animals of the region.

The Chalbi is a landscape of extremes – vast, dry and almost empty, with a surprising variety of colors and geological formations.

Travel support & local guides

We place great importance on personal support – in German and English. From planning and preparation through to the trip itself, we are available to you and remain your personal points of contact.

For individual activities, we work with local English-speaking guides who know their region, the natural environment and the respective activities extremely well. They accompany you on the ground and share their knowledge with you first-hand.

By arrangement and depending on your needs, we can also accompany you personally on selected activities and support you in communicating with the local guides.

If questions arise during the journey or something does not go according to plan, we are there for you and help find a good solution together.

This allows us to combine personal support with the local knowledge and experience of our guides on the ground.

Accommodation & meals

We select accommodation along the route based on location, safety, availability and the best possible level of comfort.

Especially in remote and less-developed regions, the choice of accommodation and restaurants can be limited.
While we can offer more comfortable options in better-developed areas, the possibilities in rural regions and on remote islands are naturally more basic. Depending on the region and accommodation, it may therefore be necessary to share showers and toilets.

We also try to accommodate individual preferences and dietary requirements when it comes to meals. Vegetarian options in remote regions are often particularly limited.
We discuss the available possibilities with the accommodation providers in advance and do our best to find the best possible solution within the options available.

The specific accommodation and meals included are listed in the detailed itinerary.

Prices

Northern Kenya – 11 days / 10 nights

2 people €3,750 per person

4 people €3,150 per person

6 people €2,750 per person

Private trip for 2–6 people

You travel with your personal tour leader and a vehicle just for you. This leaves plenty of room throughout the trip for spontaneous stops and individual experiences.

Prices are per person based on shared accommodation in a double room.

Single supplement: on request.

What is included?

Private 4×4 vehicle throughout the entire trip
Personal support and a direct point of contact throughout the journey – in German and English
Local English-speaking guides for the activities included
Airport transfer on arrival in Nairobi
10 nights’ accommodation
Meals as specified in the itinerary
National park and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
Full-day safari in Samburu National Reserve
Visit to Marsabit National Park & Lake Paradise
Boat trip to Nabiyotum Crater, including the hike up to the crater
Guided hike in the Ndoto Mountains, including rock pools & natural water slides
Additional activities as specified in the itinerary

What is not included?

International flights
Travel insurance
Visa or fees for entry (eTA)
Drinks
Personal expenses
Tips
Souvenirs and personal purchases
Services not specifically listed as included

Is this trip right for you?

This trip is for you if you …

want to experience Kenya away from the classic travel routes
are looking for extraordinary landscapes and little-visited regions
want to combine safari with desert, mountains, culture and nature
prefer small groups and personal support
see long drives and challenging tracks as part of the adventure
enjoy being active and like hiking
also appreciate simple and authentic experiences

What you should know

The journey takes you through some of the most remote regions of Kenya. This means several long driving sections and some challenging tracks.
Driving times can vary depending on weather and road conditions, particularly in the Chalbi Desert and on the way to Lake Turkana.

Some activities take place on foot and partly outdoors. The hikes to Nabiyotum Crater and in the Ndoto Mountains require a good level of fitness.

This journey combines extraordinary landscapes, remote regions and special experiences – while showing you a side of Kenya where the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to travel to Northern Kenya?

Northern Kenya can generally be visited year-round. June to October and December to March are particularly suitable, as the tracks are usually easier to navigate during the drier months and animals in Samburu National Reserve tend to concentrate more around water sources.

April, May and November are the rainy seasons.
Heavy rainfall can make the tracks in the north considerably more difficult and may temporarily make some routes impassable. Water can also accumulate in the Chalbi Desert, and parts of the desert may become flooded.

How demanding is the trip?

Northern Kenya is a real adventure. There are long driving sections and some challenging tracks.
Especially the drives through the Chalbi Desert and between Loiyangalani and Ngurunit can take considerably longer than planned, depending on weather and track conditions.

What should I know about the roads and driving times?

This journey takes you through some of the most remote regions of Kenya. Infrastructure is sometimes very basic and road conditions can be challenging.
Driving times therefore cannot always be predicted reliably – particularly on remote tracks, the journey can take considerably longer than originally planned.

The journey is part of the adventure.

How comfortable is the accommodation?

The accommodation varies. In Nairobi and the more developed regions, we stay in more comfortable accommodation, while the options in remote regions are more basic.

Particularly in the Chalbi Desert, showers and toilets may be shared. This trip is therefore not about classic luxury, but about the experience of discovering an extraordinary and remote region of Kenya.

What should I expect on the trip to Nabiyotum Crater?

The trip to Nabiyotum Crater is a full-day adventure involving a boat journey of several hours across open Lake Turkana, followed by a hike to the crater. Temperatures can be very high, and there is little shade on the open lake and around the crater.

Can the trip to Nabiyotum Crater be replaced by Central Island?

Yes. On request, the trip to Nabiyotum Crater can be replaced by an excursion to Central Island National Park. Both excursions are separate full-day activities and cannot be combined on the same day.

Is the trip suitable for first-time visitors to Kenya?

Yes. You do not need previous safari experience. What matters is that you are open to long drives, remote regions, challenging tracks and simple conditions.

Can I extend the trip?

Yes. On request, the trip can, for example, be extended by a few days on the Indian Ocean coast or by a classic safari in Tsavo or Amboseli.

The trip in detail

Would you like to know exactly what to expect on each day, which distances we cover and which activities are planned?

In the detailed itinerary, you will find the complete journey with daily descriptions, driving distances, activities, meals and the respective accommodation.

View detailed itinerary Send an inquiry

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