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Areas of interest: Mount Kenya, Central Highlands, Kaisut Desert, Laisamis, Isiolo, Marsabit, Mount Marsabit, Ndoto Mountains, Ngurunet, Malgis Lager, Maralal, Baragoi, Keno River, Chalbi Desert, Lake Turkana, Loiyangalani, South Horr, Laikipia Plains, Nyahururu, Thompson Falls, Lake Naivasha, Great Rift Valley, Nairobi

Activity: Culture, Ethnic, Wildlife, Camping, Boat Ride (Optional), Scenery, Photography, Camel Walk, Camping and Traditional Turkana Bandas, Turkana Dancers (optional at extra cost) Bird Watching, Facilities to use at Oasis Lodge in Loiyangalani (extra cost), swimming facilities (extra cost). 

Country: Kenya

For more Walking Safaris check out: www.wildhorizonsafaris.com

The Northern frontier is home to the Samburu, Rendille, Turkana and Borana, who live in o­ne of Kenya’s most arid and unforgiving regions. The flat and hot Kaisut desert is home to the 30,000-strong Rendille who call themselves the "Holders of the Stick of God” whose way of life is now in real danger of disappearing as the rains fail ever more frequently. The desert is bounded by the Chalbi Desert, Mount Marsabit, and the Ndoto Mountains.

Despite the unrelenting heat and the rugged landscape (or maybe because of it), the northern frontier offers some exciting wilderness treks and an insight into the colorful tribes that call this their homeland. Birdlife is surprisingly rich in the desert and wildlife is sufficient if sometimes skittish, especially in the higher mountain areas. The diversely rich Lakipia valley is the gateway to the North of Kenya, offering spectacular scenery, prolific wildlife and an air of solitude.

Please note that all such walking safaris to remote areas may not follow a day by day itinerary due to setbacks o­n the road or even whilst walking. These are ‘adventure’ trails and should be viewed as such.

Day 1 - Mt Kenya
We depart our Nairobi office and travel to Mt Kenya which stands at the centre of the central highlands and is frequently visible from Nairobi some 130km south. Mount Kenya was shaped by volcanic action linked with the creation of the Rift Valley and is thought to be older than Mount Kilimanjaro; geologists believe it previously stretched at least 1500m above its present height of 5199m (17,057ft). Despite the glacial erosion Mount Kenya is still the highest mountain in the country and the second highest in Africa.

Day 2 - Ngurunet
Depart early to Laisamis (the administrative centre for the Rendille) via Isiolo o­n the Marsabit road. From Laisamis we head west through the flat and arid Kaisut desert to the welcoming and water-fed Ngurunet. The colourful and traditional Rendille and Samburu people inhabit this area.

The Samburu name is thought to mean ‘butterfly’ in the Maa Language (which they share with the Masai) presumably a reference to their bright and colourful clothing. They are the definitive symbol of ‘tribal’ in East Africa and have clung o­nto their ethnic identity and traditional lifestyle.

The Rendille are nomads who primarily depend o­n camels for their livelihood, but also o­n cattle. Their traditional land overlaps that of the Samburu here and they are allies, often inter-marrying. Rendille craftsmanship is largely woven water containers that the women make from roots to carry water and milk. Beads are used extensively as bodily ornaments.

Day 3 & 4 - Walking
We start the walk with camels as pack animals and local Rendille guides. The route may vary each time but basically we head south of the Ndotos to the Milgis Lugga, which brings water from the Wamba, Maralal and Baragoi areas. Walking down the half-mile wide Milgis lugga (meaning Sand River), leads us northwards into the Ndoto Mountains. Bird life is surprisingly abundant throughout the endless desert that stretches far ahead. We set up camp beneath shady acacias near the riverbed.

No matter how dry the season, the local Rendille and Samburu people will still find water beneath the brown sands of the Lugga and it is not unusual to find them digging wells. You may want to take pictures of them here, though  it is advisable to ask first.

Day 5 - Walking
Head away from the Milgis Lugga, towards the Ndoto Mountains and Keno River. Keno is a small clear stream, nice to wash and cool off in.

Day 6 - Walking
Leave camp early and head uphill with guides into the upper forest. A stick is handy here to fend off bushes. Views from the top are excellent o­n clear days and the forest is a refreshing change after the hot arid desert. Look out for elephant, buffalo, wild dogs and birds, particularly the ‘Go-away-bird’.

Because of the geographical location of the Ndoto Mountains, it attracts sparse rainfall in its upper slopes, resulting in some exotic forest vegetation. Huge granitic domes are also dotted around the Mountains. There are pretty good chances of seeing giraffe and gazelle during the day and greater kudu in the hillier areas.

Day 7 & 8 – Lake Turkana
We depart early crossing the Chalbi Desert. Lake Turkana is the largest desert lake in the world and extends for 288 kilometres up to the Ethiopian / Kenyan border and is surrounded by volcanic rock and desert. We arrive at our semi - permanent beach village where we have our traditional Turkana Huts; which make it a perfect place to relax, protected from the scorching sun and heat characteristic of the climate of this remote area.

The following day is spent relaxing, basking and bathing o­nly interrupted by a short boat (optional at extra cost) excursion to visit the surrounding area. 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 at an extra cost if clients wish. An unforgettable experience under a star studded sky so close you can almost touch it.

Day 9 - Maralal
After breakfast we journey via the Horr Valley situated between Mount Nyiro and Ol Doinye Mara viewing the breath taking scenery as we continue to climb o­n torturous, rocky hills to Maralal. The “crossroads of the north”, Maralal is the unofficial capital of the Samburu people.

Near Maralal is o­ne of the most breath taking scenes in all of Kenya – the Losiolo escarpment, an endless stretch as land drops down to the Suguta valley. It also boasts a colourful Samburu market and a game sanctuary which lies just outside of town.

Day 10 – Nairobi
We head south again via Laikipia Plains which is considered the gateway to Kenya's wild Northern frontier country. Wild and sparsely populated, much of the region is covered in large privately owned ranches. These ranches cover a variety of landscapes, with high plains and low-forested valleys. o­n most ranches, cattle share the land with free ranging wildlife. It is a place where Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, and a wealth of plains game, including many endemic Northern species have found sanctuary.

We then drive o­nwards to Nyahururu (one of Kenya’s highest towns at 2360m above sea level) and may stop at the towering Thomson Falls. Shaped by the waters of the Ewaso Narok River, the falls plunge over 72m into a rift, spraying the dark forest below. After lunch we drive via Naivasha back into Nairobi by mid-afternoon.