12 DAYS NORTHERN FRONTIER SAFARI AND LAKE TURKANA FESTIVAL

Duration: 12 days
Country: Kenya
Departures: Nairobi

Destination:  Samburu/ Marsabit/ Loiyangalani/ Maralal/ Lake Baringo/ Lake Nakuru

Activities and attractions: Game drives/ Cultural immersion of Samburu, Rendille, El Molo, Daasanach and Turkana comunities / Boat rides/ Nature walks,

Tour Type-Wildlife, Breathtaking Adventure, Cultural

Day 1: Nairobi

Upon arrival at the Airport in Nairobi, you will be received and taken to hotel for check in and acclimatization. If you wish to change money into the local currency, we advise that you do it while at the airport. Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation.

Day 2: Nairobi to Samburu / Buffalo Springs Game Reserves

After breakfast at approx. 0700 Hrs you will be picked up and depart for Samburu National Reserve which will be approximately 6 hrs drive. 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. You will arrive in time for lunch, followed by unlimited afternoon game drive exploring the beauty that is within Samburu and its richness in wildlife and birdlife. Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation.

Day 3: Full day in Samburu Game Reserve

You will enjoy full day in Samburu Game Reserve with unlimited game drives. You may choose to go out for a morning game drive and return for breakfast to your camp. If you would like to have another game drive after breakfast please inform your guide and he will be happy to oblige. 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, a beautiful sight. Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation.

Day 4: Samburu Game Reserve to Marsabit

After our sunrise Samburu Village visit and breakfast. Begin your drive to Marsabit at around 1000 hrs with packed lunches. The drive will take approximately 4 hours. Arrive in Marsabit late afternoon. Check-in to your accommodations at the Catholic Guest House. Thereafter at around 1530 hrs depart for a late afternoon game drive in Marsabit National Park. The park comprises of densely forested mountain and three crater lakes that are the only permanent surface 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 Grevy’s zebra, lion, leopard, buffalo, bushbuck, large herds of greater and lesser kudus, common zebra, Grant’s gazelle and many other small antelopes. Marsabit is the home for the Gabras / Rendille and the Borana tribes. Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation.

Day 5 Marsabit to Loiyangalani – Approx. 6 Hrs drive

Depart early morning for Loiyangalani which is approximately 6 hours drive with packed lunch / bites purchased to arrive late afternoon. The Lake Turkana Festival will be the highlight of your safari. This being the first day of the festival you will find most of the tribal groups in their early stages of preparations. The event features unique performances and cultural traditions of at least twelve ethnic communities which live in Marsabit County: El Molo, Rendille, Samburu, Turkana, Dassanatch, 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 the Lake Turkana and Marsabit County. Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation.

Day 6 & 7 Loiyangalani

The next 2 days will be spent with the local communities exhibiting their culture and get a chance to interact and photograph them. There is a possibility of visiting the Southern Island but this depends on wind situation as there are no powerful boats in this area. You can make a walk on the lakeshore of Lake Turkana. If you want to visit also the villages of the different ethnic communities it can be arranged. Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation.

Day 8: Loiyangalani to Maralal

After breakfast depart for Maralal which is approximately 7 hours drive with packed lunches to arrive late afternoon. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure in this remote town. Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation.

Day 9: Maralal to 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 birders boasting over 400 Species. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure to enjoy various excursions available. More optional activities to undertake include canoeing or fishing excursion on the lake, visit the local Njemps community or simply relax enjoying the beautiful views of the lake or bird walks. Njemps are the only pastoralists community who eat fish while it is forbidden food to the rest of the Nomadics groups!!! Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation.

Day 10: Day trip to Lake Bogoria

Breakfast at your lodge until 0830 hours when 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. You may watch fishing activities in the lake shore. Thereafter depart with packed lunches for a game drive in Lake Bogoria Game Reserve known for its curative hot geysers. Fresh water 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. Dinner and overnight stay in your accommodation at Lake Baringo.

Day 11: Lake Baringo to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast at your lodge depart for Lake Nakuru National Park which is approximately. 3 hours drive away to arrive midmorning. Proceed on for a game drive immediately only to check-in at your lodge in time for lunch. Take afternoon game drive in search of Lion and the otherwise elusive leopard leading you to the famous Baboon Cliff which offers a fantastic view of the Lake and the National Park. The Park is a home to a high concentration of wildlife despite its proximity to the 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 stay in your accommodation at Lake Baringo.

Day 12: Lake Nakuru to Nairobi

Check-out after your last morning game drive. At approx. 1000 Hrs begin your drive back to Nairobi arriving by 1300 Hrs. A farewell lunch is planned for you all at a city restaurant that gives you a chance to recap on your just concluded safari and say goodbye. Thereafter drop off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to catch your out-bound flights.

If you’d like to customize your safari or have any special desires, please let us know. We’re here to make your safari wishes come true.

Prices in US$

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Inclusions

• Park entrance fees and game drives
• Accommodation in mentioned hotels in double or twin sharing
• Transport in a private 4 x 4 Land Cruiser Jeep. You can also opt for a safari minivan Jeep instead at discounted price.
• Drinking water
• Experienced English speaking driver guide
• Emergency medical evacuation and rescue

Exclusions

• International flights and Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Shopping
• Activities not listed in itinerary.

Optional Masai and Samburu village visits.