14 Days Northern Kenya Cultural and Wildlife Safari Samburu - Loyangalani - Lake Turkana - Marsabit - Lake Baringo - Lake Nakuru

Culture and breathtaking scenery and wildlife stand at the forefront of this safari. The main focus of this trip is the desert Lake Turkana that remains wild and untouched by its outstanding cultural tribes. You will encounter the Samburu, Rendille, El Molo, Dasenich Tribes among others. This safari will bring you closer to the culture in a way that you will never experience anywhere else. You will also encounter wildlife in Samburu Reserve and the Great Rift Valley Lakes.

Tour Highlights

Day 1.  Arrival in Nairobi, overnight stay at your pre-booked hotel

Day 2. Nairobi | Samburu | Lunch & Afternoon Game Drive | Dinner and overnight.   

Day 3 Full day in Samburu with Morning game drive and afternoon visit to Samburu village

Day 4. Breakfast, enroute game drive as you depart for Marasbit to arrive in for lunch &      pm game drive.

Day 5: Morning game drive and afternoon village visit to the Rendille people

Day6: Depart Marsabit for Loyangalani in Lake turkana to spend the afternoon at relaxing

Day 7: Village Visit to the Elmolo cultural people, afternoon at leisure

Day 8: Village Visit or spend time relaxing at the lodge

Day9: Explore the Shores of Lake Turkana and optional visit to the cultural village

Day10: Drive to South Horr (Marallal) and spend your time at Leisure in Remote town as watch animals at hotel.

Day11: Transfer to Lake Baringo & Bogoria, Spent the afternoon relaxing or bird watching

Day12:  Spend your time around The Lake Watching Birds and Animals on guided Game  

             Drive around the Lake.

Day13: Transfer to Lake Nakuru and spend the day on game drives and a visit to Makalia falls

Day 14: Drive back to Nairobi, drop off at your hotel or transfer to the airport.

 Detailed Itinerary

Day 1.  Arrival in Nairobi

On arrival at the airport in Nairobi, you clear with the customs and immigration department as our office representative will be waiting to meet you for briefing before you transfer to your pre-booked hotel for overnight.  

Day 2. Nairobi – Samburu Game Reserve

Today you will have an early morning breakfast at 7 am, After Breakfast you will be picked up by your driver/guide and depart for Samburu National Reserve, It’s about 6 hours’ drive to Samburu from Nairobi. Rugged and remote, this wildlife reserve provides some of the best and most colorful game viewing in the country. Samburu is inhabited by a wide variety of animals, more so the rare species such as the long-necked gerenuk, gravy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and Beisa oryx. Other animals include the leopard, the mighty lion, elephants; crocodiles can be seen swimming in the Ewaso Nyiro River along with the hippo. Arrive in time for lunch, followed by an unlimited afternoon game drive exploring the beauty that is within Samburu and its richness in wildlife and birdlife.

Activities:  Afternoon game drive   |     Accommodation & Meals: Ashnil Samburu camp

 Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner} | Drinks not Included | Drinking Water Included

Day 3. Samburu Game Reserve
Full day in Samburu Game Reserve with game drives. You may choose to go out for a morning game drive and return for breakfast at the lodge. Most animals rest during the hot lunch hour and ideally, you will see the most game again in the afternoon.

The landscape is stunning and with a bit of luck, you may see Elephants in the mighty Ewaso Nyiro River, a beautiful sight. Wild dog sightings are also a common attraction to this unique protected area. Birdlife is abundant with over 450 species recorded Due to its remote distance and the fact that it was inaccessible for many years, the park has retained a naturally serene and quiet feeling. Besides the numerous wildlife found in this game reserve, the park is also a bird haven. Samburu National Reserve was one of the two areas in which conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness. Their story was made famous by the bestselling book and award-winning movie "Born Free". Return to the camp for Dinner and Overnight.

Activities:  Morning game drive   | Afternoon Cultural tour (Village visit)

Accommodation & Meals:  Ashnil Samburu camp | Similar

Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner} Breakfast, Not Included here | Drinking Water Included | Other Drinks not Included 

Day 4 & 5: Marsabit:

Today you will have your breakfast early in the morning. After breakfast, you will visit Samburu Village visit then drive to Marsabit home for the Gabras, Rendille and the Borana tribes. Arrive at your lodge for lunch; freshen up as we will later embark on an afternoon game drive to Marsabit National Park which was the home of Ahmed the Great Tusker known as the “King of Marsabit”. He was a giant Elephant and was the only Elephant to get state protection.  President Jomo Kenyatta in 1970 placed Ahmed under state protection by presidential decree. Ahmed was the only Elephant to be declared a living monument. He was guarded day and night to protect him from poachers. Ahmed was a loner and was quite elusive. In 1974 when he was 55, he was found dead resting majestically on his tusks, half leaning against a tree. His remains were reserved at the Kenya National Museum in Nairobi.

The park comprises densely forested mountains and three crater lakes that are the only permanent source of water in the region and that provide habitat for a variety of birdlife and wildlife. Major wildlife attractions include the African elephant, the endangered Gravy’s zebra, lion, leopard, buffalo, bushbuck, and large herds of greater and lesser kudus, common zebra, Grant’s gazelle, and many other small antelopes. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Optional activities in Marsabit:

• Village tours
• Hiking
• Camping 

Activities: Game Drives (Morning & Afternoon) | Cultural tour (Village visit) | Optional activities

Accommodation & Meals: Sand and Rock resort | Similar

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner} | Drinking Water Included | Other Drinks not Included 

Day 6. Marsabit | Loiyangalani

Early morning breakfast then depart for Loiyangalani with packed lunch/bites purchased to arrive late afternoon.  Loiyangalani is a small town located on the southeastern coast of Lake Turkana. Loiyangalani means "a place of many trees" in the native Samburu language, Home to Turkana people and was founded near a freshwater spring in the 1960s where the El Molo people live. It is a popular tourist destination in Northern Kenya, as the surrounding El Mollo and Turkana villages offer unique (although somewhat commercialized) experiences. About twelve ethnic communities which live in Marsabit County gather here for Lake Turkana Festival each year: El Molo, Rendille, Samburu, Turkana, Gabra, Burji, Borana, Konso, Sakuye, Garee, and Waata. The presentation of the customs and living conditions of the twelve tribes, their spectacular traditional costumes, arts and crafts, dances, and music is a unique and fascinating experience in particular in light of the stunning geographical characteristics and the limited general knowledge about Lake Turkana and Marsabit County.

Activities: Afternoon Cultural tour (Village visit)

Accommodation & Meals: Malabo resort

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner} | Drinking Water Included | Other Drinks not Included 

Day 7 & 8:  Loiyangalani 

The day will be spent with the local communities exhibiting their culture and getting a chance to interact and photograph them. There is a possibility of visiting the Southern Island but this depends on the wind situation as there are no powerful boats in this area. You can take a walk on the lakeshore of Lake Turkana.

If you want to visit also the villages of the different ethnic communities, your guide will assist you. Additional charges can arise. All Meals and overnight at the lodge

Activities: Afternoon Cultural tour (Village visit)

Accommodation & Meals: Malabo resort | Palm Shade Resort

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner} | Drinking Water Included | Other Drinks not Included 

Day 9:  Loiyangalani | South Horr 

Breakfast at Malabo Resort and proceed for Turkana Village visit and possibly one more tribe. Thereafter depart for South Horr to arrive at your camp in time for lunch. The rest of the afternoon at leisure or visit one village.

Activities: Afternoon Cultural tour (Village visit)

Accommodation & Meals: Malabo resort | Palm Shade Resort

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner} | Drinking Water Included | Other Drinks not Included 

Day 10: South Horr – Maralal 

Early morning breakfast at 6:30 am. After breakfast depart for Maralal with packed lunches to arrive late afternoon (7 hours’ drive). Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure in this remote town. All meals and Overnight at Marallal safari lodge

Activities: Afternoon Free time at Leisure

Accommodation & Meals: Marallal Safari lodge

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner} | Drinking Water Included | Other Drinks not Included 

Day 11: Maralal – Lake Baringo

After breakfast depart for Lake Baringo to arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Lake Baringo has always been a haven for birds boasting over 400 Species. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure to enjoy various excursions available. You may partake in the canoeing or fishing excursion on the lake or you could opt to visit the local Njemps community or simply relax enjoying the beautiful views of the lake or bird walks.

Njemps are the only pastoralist community that eats fish while it is forbidden food to the rest of the Nomadics groups.

The main attraction to Baringo is a visit to the lake, to view birds. It is also a place of relaxation and while here you can also take day trips to Lake Bogoria that is a few kilometers from Lake Baringo. Boat safaris are the most popular tours to take to the lake and your guide can take you through various routes. Take a tour to Ol Kokwe Island that is located in the middle of the island and the Njemps people occupy it. The Njemps are proficient fishermen and still maintain their traditional style of fishing. All Meals and overnight at  Soi Safari Lodge

Activities: Afternoon free time at own leisure | Bird watching | other optional activities (excursions)

Accommodation & Meals: Soi Safari lodge

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner} | Drinking Water Included | Other Drinks not Included 

Day 12. Lake Baringo – Lake Bogoria

Early breakfast then you depart for a boat ride and finally drop off on the shore. Lake Baringo together with Lake Naivasha is the only two Great Eastern Rift Valley FRESH water Lakes found in Kenya. The coxswain may use food baits to attract the fish to the surface making them visible to the fish eagle…..you may be lucky to catch a dramatic spectacle. Thereafter depart with packed lunches for a game drive in Lake Bogoria Game Reserve known for its curative hot geysers. Freshwater springs at the lake edge attract an abundance of birds and wildlife. There are many Fish Eagles, which often prey on the local flamingoes. Lately, this lake has been the home of thousands of flamingoes and hence attracting many tourists. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Activities: Boat ride | Game Drive | Bird watching | other optional activities (excursions)

Accommodation & Meals: Lake Bogoria Spa and Resort

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner} | Drinking Water Included | Other Drinks not Included 

Day 13. Lake Baringo – Lake Nakuru 

After breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park which is approx.2.5 Hrs. drive away to arrive mid-morning. Enroute game drive as you proceed to your lodge for check in and later Mid-morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Lions and the otherwise elusive leopard leading you to the famous Baboon Cliff which offers a fantastic view of the Lake and the Park.

The Park is home to a high concentration of wildlife despite its proximity to Nakuru Town. The simple coexistence between people and wildlife in this region is quite amazing.

A visit to the famous Makalia falls spices your experience as it gives you the opportunity to leave your vehicle for a while to catch a glimpse of the splendid waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill lodge

Activities: Game Drive | Bird watching | sightseeing & Photography

Accommodation & Meals: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner} | Drinking Water Included | Other Drinks not Included 

Day 14: Lake Nakuru – Nairobi

Today is your last day of adventure. Your last morning game drive then breakfast. After breakfast freshen up and check out from your lodge rooms. At 10 am you begin your drive back to Nairobi arriving by noon. Farewell lunch is planned for you at the Carnivore Restaurant gives you a chance to recap on your just concluded safari and say goodbye to the friends you will have made.

After lunch, you will be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to catch your outbound flight

  ****PRICE, NUMBER OF PERSONS AND SEASONS **************

****The pricing is indicative. Pricing depends on the season and the number of travelers *****.      

INCLUDED 

·         Park fees (For non-residents)

·         Cultural fees as mentioned on the itinerary

·         All activities (Unless labeled as optional)

·         All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)

·         A professional driver/guide

·         All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)

·         All Taxes/VAT

·         Round-trip airport transfer

·         Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

·         Drinking water (On all days)

EXCLUDED

·         International flights (From/to home)

·         Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

·         Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day) ( Drivers, restaurant /lodge stuff, driver guide etc

·          Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day) cultural people, Samburu, Turkana,Elmollo & Rendille communities.

·         Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

·         Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

·         Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)