8 Days Samburu – Loyangalani – Lake Turkana – Marsabit – Lake Baringo/Bogoria

Today you will be picked up by our driver/guide from the CBD at 7:30 am 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 and more so the rare species such as the long-necked gerenuk, gravy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx etc. Other animals include the leopard, the mighty lion, elephants and crocodiles can be seen swimming in the Ewaso Nyiro River along with hippos. Arrive in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive exploring the beauty that is within Samburu and its richness in wildlife as well as birdlife.

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 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, which is a sight to behold. Wild dog sightings are also a common attraction to this unique protected area. 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 with well over 450 species recorded. 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: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Today you will have your breakfast early in the morning. After breakfast, you may do Samburu Village Excursion then drive to Marsabit which is home to the Gabras, Rendille and the Borana tribes. Arrive at your lodge for lunch, freshen up as you prepare to embark on an afternoon game drive inside Marsabit National Park the hitherto home of Ahmed the Great Tusker; known as the “King of Marsabit”. Ahmed 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 are reserved at the Kenya National Museum in Nairobi. The park comprises densely forested mountains and three crater lakes that are the only permanent sources of water in the region and thus provides habitation 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}

Early morning breakfast then depart to Loyangalani with packed lunch since you are scheduled to arrive in the afternoon.  Loyangalani is a small town located on the south eastern coast of Lake Turkana. Loiyangalani means "a place of many trees" in the native Samburu language and is home to Turkana people. It was founded near a freshwater spring in the 1960s where the El Molo people live. It is a popular tourist destination in Northern Kenya since 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 Festival showcases customs and living conditions of the twelve tribes, their spectacular traditional costumes, arts and crafts, dances and music.

This is a unique and fascinating experience in light of the stunning geographical characteristics and limited general knowledge about Lake Turkana as well as Marsabit Counties.

Activities: Afternoon Cultural tour (Village visit)

Accommodation & Meals: Malabo resort

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

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. Alternatively, you may just take a walk on the lakeshore of Lake Turkana. Thereafter, drive off to South Horr to arrive at the camp in time for lunch. Spent the rest of the afternoon on leisure at the resort.

Activities: Afternoon Cultural tour (Village visit)

Accommodation & Meals: Malabo resort | Palm Shade Resort

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

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 of over 400 Species. Spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying various excursions available. You may partake in canoeing or fishing on the lake. You may as well choose to visit the local Njemps community or simply relax enjoying the beautiful views of the lake and 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 which is a few kilometers from Lake Baringo. Boat safaris are the most popular tours to take in Lake Bogoria whereby your guide should be able to take you through various routes. Take a tour to Ol Kokwe Island that is located in the middle of the island where the Njemps people live. The Njemps are proficient fishermen and still maintain their traditional lifestyle as nomads. 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}

Early breakfast then you depart for a boat ride and finally drop off on the shore. Lake Baringo together with Lake Naivasha are the only two Great Eastern Rift Valley Fresh Water Lakes found in Kenya. Your coxswain may use food baits to attract fish to the surface in order to make them visible to the fish eagle and at this juncture, you may be lucky to catch a dramatic spectacle. After this adventure, drive off with picnic lunch for a game drive in Lake Bogoria Game Reserve which is famous for its curative hot geysers. Freshwater springs at the edge of the lake attract abundant birds and wildlife. There are many Fish Eagles here which often prey on the local flamingoes. Lately, this lake has become home to thousands of flamingos which is one of the key tourist attractions in this part of Kenya. When you are done with this expedition, return to the 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}

Today is your last day of adventure. Freshen up, get your breakfast and check out from the lodge rooms at 10 am as you begin your drive back to Nairobi where you are scheduled to arrive in the afternoon.