Samburu, Chalbi Desert & Lake Turkana Safari

Northern Kenya is barren and lightly populated and an area of Kenya that is completely off the tourism route.

The Local Tribes that live here are some of the most captivating people in Africa and are sure to leave a long-lasting impression on you during your visit. These tribes include the nomadic pastoralists  the Samburu, Turkana, Rendille, Boran, Gabbra and El - Molo.

This rugged expedition is run in sturdy land cruisers or specially designed expedition trucks as you will be travelling off the beaten track on some of Africa's worst roads. You will however get to see wildlife endemic to the North of Kenya, as well as beautiful mountains and forests, surrounded on all sides by hot dusty deserts.

Our destination is our private camp on the shores of the Jade Sea (Lake Turkana). The camp is situated right on the shores of the lake with spectacular views of the South Island.

This Kenya Camping Safari is ideal for clients who like roughing it, and who want to get off the usual tourism route. The Safari not only offers some spectacular African scenery with the highlights being the Lakes, but also offers you the chance to meet some of the most remote tribes in Africa, untouched by Western Influences.

This Samburu, Chalbi Desert & Lake Turkana Safari ends back in Nairobi.

Safari Highlights:

• Samburu Game Reserve; Ewaso Nyiro River

• Marsabit National park; lake paradise, Gof Redo

• Kaisut and Chalbi Desert
• 
North horr and Kalacha
• 
Lake Turkana (the jade sea); loyangalani town

• Culture: Samburu, Gabbra, Borana, el molo, turkana, pokot tribes (optional visit to tribal villages and dances)
• 
Mt Nyiro foothills, south horr and Maralal
• 
Boat ride on Lake Turkana

• Thompson falls, Nyahururu

Day 1 – Maralal, Kenya


Departing in the early morning we head towards Maralal via Nyahururu, stopping at Thompson falls briefly.

We have lunch en route our long drive into northern Kenya, arriving at the campsite in the late afternoon to pitch up tents for our cool overnight stay.



Maralal is the unofficial capital of the Samburu people and has a distinctly frontier feel about it. It is also home of the Maralal International Camel Derby that happens o­nce a year between July and October and attracts riders and spectators from all over the world.

Day 2 – Lake Turkana, Kenya


After breakfast, we start the long journey driving via Baragoi and South Horr to arrive at our semi-permanent beach campsite where we stay in traditional Turkana Huts (when available; otherwise we pitch tents at an alternative campsite).

The camp is an ideal place to relax, protected from the scorching sun and heat characteristic of the climate of this remote area.


Lake Turkana is the largest desert lake in the world and extends for 288 kilometres up to the Ethiopian and Kenyan border surrounded by volcanic rock and desert.



Day 3 – Lake Turkana, Kenya

Today is spent relaxing at the lake. We visit the El molo tribe and thereafter enjoy a sunset boat cruise (look out for crocodiles along the shore).

Other optional activities (payable direct) include visiting the Desert museum, enjoying a swim at the nearby lodge and exploring Loyangalani town. Return to the campsite for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 – Kalacha
, Kenya

After an early breakfast we cross the Chalbi desert (in the dry season) via North horr towards Kalacha. If it has rained, we use another route avoiding the desert.

Kalacha is a small settlement on the edge of the Chalbi Desert inhabited by the Gabbra people (pastoralists particularly attached to their camels). 
Enjoy an evening sunset, swim at the campsite or watch a Gabbra performance in the evening (optional extra cost).

Day 5 - Marsabit, Kenya

Break up camp in the early morning as we head south towards Marsabit (meaning place of cold); an astonishingly cool, green and hilly oasis rising high above the dry heat of the surrounding desert lands. En route we stop to enjoy views of the massive Gof Redo crater and desert landscape. The area is home to the local Rendille and Samburu people abundant in their bright red outfits, beads and earrings. This will be a cold night.



After setting up camp, we visit the lodge inside the National park and as long as the roads are dry we drive up to Lake Paradise and Little Lake. Here, an indigenous forest and a desert come together to create one of the most compelling landscapes o­n earth. Elephants and greater kudu abound. The dense forest in the park is also home to a variety of birds.

Day 6 – Samburu National Reserve
, Kenya

Depart in the early morning along the trans-African highway towards Samburu. Lunch en route and arrive at Samburu National Reserve in time for an afternoon game drive.


Accommodation is in our semi-permanent campsite, beautifully set under a canopy of trees or we may pitch tents o­n the edge of Uaso Nyiro River (meaning Brown in Samburu) if they are occupied. Cold showers are available which are amazingly refreshing in the hot, dusty climate.   

Day 7 - Samburu
 Park, Kenya

The day is spent game viewing in the Samburu Park. You may also opt to visit the lodge for a swim and cold drink or a nearby Samburu village (payable direct).



Samburu is part of a lava plain that includes a diverse landscape of thorn scrub, red dirt, dried river beds, broken volcanic rock, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings. The region is home to the uncommon Grevy's zebra, gerenuk antelope, Somali ostriches, lions and Oryx. Elephant, crocodile and numerous birds make excellent game sightings.

Day 8 – Nairobi via Nanyuki
, Kenya

Depart camp after breakfast viewing game as we drive back to Nairobi via the Mt. Kenya region. We arrive back in the bustling capital of Nairobi in the late afternoon. 

Please Note:

Flying Doctors Service for emergency evacuation cover is mandatory for safaris to Lake Turkana - available at US$15 (valid for 14 days) and $25pp (valid for 2 months) within 500km Radius of Nairobi.  

What you need to bring on safari:

• Sleeping bag [available for hire at US$ 30 per bag per safari plus a refundable deposit of US$40]
• Money for personal spending and tipping
• Only a small case or rucksack, as storage space is limited [maximum 20kgs]
• A pair of long trousers and jersey for the cool mornings and evenings in addition to plenty of light clothes for hot days
• Do not forget a sun hat
• Swim suit, a pillow, comfortable walking shoes and slippers
• Snacks and beverages of your choice
• Torch, sunglasses, suntan lotion, insect repellent/spray but NOT mosquito coils
• Mineral water for drinking (recommended 1.5 litres per person/day) - Clients should buy for the first 3 days and top-up en route
• Camera, batteries, memory cards, binoculars, maps and guide-books
• Toilet paper, wet wipes, towel, soap and toothbrush / paste
• All personal travel insurance

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