AASC01: 10 Days Turkana safari via Sweet waters/Samburu /Marsabit/Chalbi Desert/Tuum camel walk/Lake Baringo/Nairobi

Price: US$1100
Local Payment: US$215

Departs Wednesdays
This rugged 1,800-km expedition is run in land cruiser or Land rover. This means a maximum group size of 10. It takes you deep into the heart of the Northern Kenya via the Sweetwaters and Samburu Game Reserve. You will pass through some of Africa’s roughest roads; see beautiful mountain forest surrounded on all sides by hot dusty deserts, eventually arriving at the shores of the Jade Sea (Lake Turkana). You will see a great diversity of tribes during the tour and cross the Chalbi Desert if dry. During the rains it becomes a large shallow lake. At Tuum you will    spend sometime camel walking with Samburu local guides on the foothills of Mt. Nyiro

Day 1 – Mt. Kenya:
Depart Nairobi in the morning and proceed to Mt Kenya region. Afternoon gamedrive at Sweetwaters game ranch to see the wildlife including chimps. This private ranch is the only sanctuary in Kenya for rehabilitation of these widely abused primates in Kenya, with two groups living in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible. It is something interesting to see besides rhino, lion and other attractions. We spend night at Mountain Rock Campsite.

Day 2 – Samburu:
Depart in the morning for Samburu game reserve to arrive there in time for the afternoon gamedrive in the park. Elephants abound; you may see lion, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, grevy’s zebra and oryx. Dinner and overnight in a campsite in the park.

Day 3 – Marsabit:
We head north again along the African highway to Marsabit, which is an extinct volcano heavily forested on its upper slopes. After setting up camp, we will visit the lodge inside the National Park if not too wet. You may see elephant, buffalo and kudu as the lodge is situated on the edge of a water-filled crater. As long as the park is dry we drive through thick forest to the famous Lake Paradise. There are some very steep hills which are impassable if wet.

Day 4 – Kalacha:
We visit Marsabit town and another volcanic crater before making our way back into the desert and lava flows. We camp at Kalacha, a small settlement on the edge of the Chalbi Desert.

Day 5 - Lake Turkana:
We depart early crossing the Chalbi Desert. The desert cannot be crossed if wet but there are alternative roads towards the north and south. We arrive at Loiyangalani on the shores of Lake Turkana soon after lunch. Here we have a choice of campsites to use with a cool breeze blowing from the lake. Indeed a perfect place to laze and relax protected from the scorching sun and heat characteristic of the harsh climate of this remote area.

Day 6 - Lake Turkana:
We spend the day relaxing. In addition, we visit Loiyangalani and the community settled there while in the evening we may visit one of the Turkana Manyattas (optional) for traditional dances under a star studded sky at an extra cost if clients wish. Unforgettable experience.

Day 7: Tuum camel safari
Departing Lake Turkana via the very rocky road out of the Rift Valley we head south to Tuum, situated on the west of Mt. Nyiro. This is a very scenic but rough drive. From Tuum you have the chance to walk with camels and Samburu guides for a couple of hours to the foothills of Mt. Nyiro where you will fly camp together with the guides and camels.
Day 8 –Maralal
Early morning walk for a couple of hours to meet with your driver guide and vehicle then continue on the rough journey to Maralal for Dinner and overnight.
Day 9 – Lake Baringo:
Heading south we visit Lake Baringo where we overnight in a campsite and enjoy the lake atmosphere with birds, crocodiles and hippos.
Day 10 – Nairobi:
Have early morning boat ride. After Breakfast drive back to Nairobi late afternoon