Northern Kenya · 11 Days · 10 Nights
Airport pick-up → Accommodation → Dinner together
After your arrival in Nairobi, we will pick you up at the airport and take you to your accommodation.
Depending on your arrival time, we will keep the first evening relaxed and then meet for dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, one of Nairobi’s best-known restaurants, renowned for its wide selection of grilled meats.
Dinner is included, provided your arrival time allows for it.
Drive through the central highlands → Equator crossing → Samburu
Today, the actual journey north begins.
We leave Nairobi in the morning and travel through Kenya’s central highlands towards Nanyuki. Along the way, the landscape gradually changes: from Nairobi’s dense urban development, we pass through fertile farmland and continue into the drier regions at the foot of Mount Kenya.
One of the first special stops is the Equator crossing near Nanyuki – here we cross the Equator and officially enter the Northern Hemisphere.
From Nanyuki, we continue towards Samburu. The landscape becomes drier and more untouched, and it is here, at the latest, that Kenya begins to change noticeably.
In the afternoon, we reach our accommodation in the Samburu region. Depending on our arrival time, there will be some time to relax and take in the surroundings.
Full-day safari → Northern Kenya’s unique wildlife → Ewaso Ng’iro River
Today is our first major safari day of the journey.
We spend the entire day in Samburu National Reserve, taking our time to explore the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the region.
Samburu is known for its unique wildlife. In addition to elephants, lions, leopards and giraffes, we may, with a little luck, also see some of the species characteristic of Northern Kenya – including Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuks and Somali ostriches.
The Ewaso Ng’iro River runs through the dry landscape of the reserve and forms a green lifeline for its wildlife. The areas along the river offer particularly good opportunities for interesting wildlife sightings.
We drive through the reserve without a fixed schedule and decide together with our local Samburu guide where we would like to spend more time. In the late afternoon, we leave the reserve and return to our accommodation.
Mt. Ololokwe → Ewaso Ng’iro River → Drive through Northern Kenya’s landscapes
In the morning, we leave the Samburu region and continue north.
Along the way, we reach Mt. Ololokwe, the striking flat-topped mountain and sacred mountain of the Samburu. We stop to experience the impressive landscape and take some photos before continuing towards Marsabit.
On our way north, we cross the Ewaso Ng’iro River. During the dry season, only a broad, sandy riverbed may remain in places – after rainfall, however, the scene can change completely.
The further north we travel, the more the landscape changes. The dry plains around Samburu gradually give way to the higher, forested regions around Marsabit. We reach Marsabit in the late afternoon.
Mountain forest → Lake Paradise → Game drive & wildlife viewing
Today we explore Marsabit National Park with its dense mountain forest, volcanic craters and unique wildlife.
One of the highlights of the day is Lake Paradise, a remote crater lake surrounded by dense forest. The drive there takes us through a surprisingly green landscape that is difficult to imagine in the middle of Kenya’s dry north.
We combine the visit to Lake Paradise with an extended game drive through the national park. With some luck, we may see elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards and various species of antelope.
The day therefore offers not only wildlife viewing, but above all a striking contrast to the dry landscapes we encounter throughout our journey.
Volcanic crater → Maikona Oasis → Rock Dune → Chalbi Desert → Kalacha Oasis
We leave Marsabit early in the morning and continue north towards Maikona and Kalacha.
Along the way, we make a short stop at Gof Redo Crater, a volcanic formation in the dry landscape around Marsabit.
Even during the onward journey, the landscape changes noticeably. We increasingly enter the dry and remote landscape of the Chalbi Desert.
Parts of the route involve challenging tracks and are highly dependent on current weather and road conditions.
Along the way, we reach Maikona, a remote settlement in the Chalbi Desert region. The area is home to the Gabbra community and is known, among other things, for its traditional camel keeping.
Depending on our arrival time and current conditions, we visit the Maikona Oasis, also known as Gamura Oasis. With its palm trees and shallow wells, this water source forms a fascinating contrast to the dry landscape of the Chalbi.
We then continue through the Chalbi Desert to Rock Dune, a striking rock formation in the middle of the desert. Depending on current track conditions, we may leave the regular driving route for a short section to reach it.
We then continue towards Kalacha. There, we visit the Kalacha Oasis, another important water source in the middle of the dry Chalbi landscape.
If it can be arranged accordingly, there is also an opportunity to learn more about life in this remote region, including the Gabbra and other local communities, as well as the importance of the oases to the people living here.
Depending on our arrival time and local conditions, we may briefly explore the area around the oasis before experiencing sunset in the Chalbi Desert.
Sand dune near North Horr → Chalbi Desert → Drive to Lake Turkana → Loiyangalani
We leave Kalacha in the morning and continue our journey through the Chalbi Desert towards Loiyangalani on Lake Turkana.
Along the way, we reach the area around North Horr, where we visit a sand dune.
The Chalbi Desert is not a classic sand desert. It is largely characterized by dry salt, clay and mud plains as well as volcanic rock. This makes the short stop at the dune all the more interesting before we continue our journey through the Chalbi.
The landscape changes constantly: vast dried-out plains, salt and clay surfaces, volcanic rock and, again and again, deep red sand fields.
The route cannot be compared with a normal road. Depending on the weather and track conditions, travel times can vary considerably. Particularly after rainfall, individual sections can become difficult or temporarily impassable.
During the course of the day, we eventually reach Loiyangalani on Lake Turkana, the legendary “Jade Sea”. After the dry expanses of the Chalbi, the sight of the enormous lake is a striking contrast.
Boat trip across Lake Turkana → Nabiyotum Crater → Climb to the crater
Today we head out onto Lake Turkana, the “Jade Sea” and the largest desert lake in the world.
Our preferred destination is Nabiyotum Crater, a striking volcanic crater at the southern end of the lake. The several-hour boat trip across the open lake is an experience in itself and takes us deep into the extraordinary landscape of Lake Turkana.
Once we reach Nabiyotum, we continue on foot up to the crater. From the top, we have a view across the striking volcanic cone and the vast expanse of Lake Turkana.
The excursion is planned as a full-day adventure. It can be very hot and there is very little shade. Sufficient water, sun protection and a good level of fitness are therefore important.
The exact duration and operation of the excursion depend on conditions on the lake and the organization of the boat.
Drive through remote landscapes → Lake Turkana Wind Power Park → Ndoto Mountains
After breakfast, we leave Loiyangalani and Lake Turkana and make our way south towards Ngurunit, at the foot of the impressive Ndoto Mountains.
Once again, the landscape changes fundamentally. We leave the enormous Lake Turkana and the barren desert landscape behind and travel through remote regions where few people live.
Along the way, we pass the Lake Turkana Wind Power Park, the largest wind farm in Africa. 365 wind turbines stand here in the middle of the barren landscape of Northern Kenya – a fascinating contrast to the otherwise remote and largely untouched surroundings.
The drive is an important part of the experience: vast landscapes, small settlements and spectacular views of the mountains accompany us on our journey south.
In the afternoon or towards evening, we reach Ngurunit, a green oasis at the foot of the Ndoto Mountains.
Guided hike → Natural rock pools & water slides → Ngurunit
The final full day of the journey belongs to Ngurunit and the Ndoto Mountains – and here we deliberately stay for a full day.
We begin with a guided hike in the Ndoto Mountains and experience the landscape around Ngurunit up close. Depending on the fitness level of the group, we choose a suitable route.
We then head to the natural rock pools and water slides. The clear water of the Ndelewai River collects between the rocks, forming natural pools and slides – a welcome way to cool down after the hike.
In the afternoon, there is time to experience Ngurunit and its surroundings at a relaxed pace.
If it can be arranged accordingly, there is also an opportunity for an authentic encounter with the local Samburu/Rendille community – for example, by visiting a manyatta, sharing a meal or gaining an insight into traditional crafts and everyday life. We end the evening in a relaxed atmosphere at our accommodation.
Return journey via Laisamis → Main route towards Nairobi → End of the journey
After breakfast, we say goodbye to Ngurunit and the Ndoto Mountains and begin our return journey to Nairobi.
We leave the remote region and first travel via Laisamis towards the south. After the more challenging tracks of the previous days, the route gradually improves and we rejoin the main route towards Nairobi.
In the late afternoon or evening, we reach Nairobi, where our journey through Northern Kenya comes to an end.
Your journey doesn't have to end in Nairobi.
If you have some extra time in Kenya, we can arrange your onward journey to Diani Beach – for a few relaxing days on the Indian Ocean. Alternatively, you can add a classic safari and discover places such as Amboseli or Tsavo.
We are also happy to put together an individual extension tailored to your wishes and the time you have available.
Perhaps this route is exactly what you have been looking for. Tell us when you would like to travel and how many people you will be traveling with. We will discuss your ideas together and clarify the details of your journey.