$2,912 to $3,360 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Nairobi to Buffalo Springs & Evening Drive
Nairobi to Buffalo Springs & Evening Drive
Your northern expedition begins with a scenic drive from Nairobi, crossing the equator into the rugged landscapes of Buffalo Springs National Reserve. By midday, you will check into the beautiful Samburu Simba Lodge, settling into your room overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River and enjoying a fresh lunch. In the afternoon, set out for an introductory game drive, tracking unique northern wildlife like reticulated giraffes and Beisa oryx as the desert air cools.
- Main Destination:
- Buffalo Springs National Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Samburu Simba Lodge
Wildlife in Buffalo Springs NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Tracking Samburu's "Special Five"
Tracking Samburu's "Special Five"
A full day tracking along the life-giving Ewaso Nyiro River reveals the rare gems of this arid frontier. Today you will focus on finding Samburu’s iconic "Special Five"—the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and the long-necked gerenuk browsing on its hind legs. Following a shaded midday picnic, your afternoon drive tracks the riverine palms where leopards use the dense canopy for ambush, and massive elephant herds gather to bathe and drink.
- Main Destination:
- Samburu National Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Samburu Sopa Lodge
Wildlife in Samburu NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Samburu National Reserve to the Desert Outpost of Kargi
Samburu National Reserve to the Desert Outpost of Kargi
Today your expedition breaks away from the riverine forests and pushes deep into Kenya’s true northern frontier. Leaving Buffalo Springs after an early breakfast, you will track north along the trans-East African highway, watching the landscape transition into dramatic, vast horizons of volcanic gravel and whistling thorns. Passing through Marsabit, you will deviate into the arid lowlands, heading toward the remote settlement of Kargi—an essential cultural crossroads home to the resilient, nomadic Rendille people.
By mid-afternoon, you will arrive at your welcoming refuge for the night, the Kargi Catholic Mission. This peaceful, historic compound offers a clean and secure base to rest amidst the desert's harsh elements. In the evening, you will explore the settlement, watching massive camel herds return to their traditional thorn-walled bomas (enclosures) at twilight as the desert sky ignites.
- Main Destination:
- Chalbi Desert (Area)
- Accommodation:
- Camp Ndotto
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Documenting the Rendille and Desert Camel Culture
Documenting the Rendille and Desert Camel Culture
Today is completely dedicated to exploring the starkly beautiful surroundings of Kargi, offering an unparalleled opportunity for high-end cultural and landscape photography. Rising before dawn, you will catch the desert at its most magical, capturing the early morning light as it rakes across the endless sands and illuminates the traditional thorn-walled bomas. The morning focus centers on the striking Rendille people, renowned for their preserved nomadic heritage, intricate beadwork, and vibrant, colorful clothing that stands out beautifully against the pale desert floor.
Document the rhythmic, ancient tradition of herders singing to their livestock as thousands of Rendille camels—the absolute lifeblood of this community—gather to drink. The afternoon light provides a perfect canvas to capture intimate portraits of the village elders and warriors before returning to the peaceful sanctuary of the Kargi Catholic Mission for a relaxing evening.
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- Main Destination:
- Chalbi Desert (Area)
- Accommodation:
- Camp Ndotto
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Crossing the Chalbi Desert to the Jade Sea
Crossing the Chalbi Desert to the Jade Sea
Today’s journey is an unforgettable expedition across the vast, sun-baked expanse of the Chalbi Desert. Leaving the mission behind after an early breakfast, your 4x4 vehicles venture onto the stark, blindingly white salt flats. Speeding over the cracked, ancient lake bed creates a surreal sense of infinite space, where shimmering mirages dissolve on the horizon and lone lines of pastoralist camels seem to float in the distance.
After a fascinating stop at a remote desert oasis surrounded by towering doum palms, the terrain shifts into rugged, dark volcanic rock fields. By late afternoon, the dramatic landscape yields to an incredible sight: the brilliant, shimmering turquoise waters of Lake Turkana—the iconic Jade Sea. Arriving in the breezy lakeside settlement of Loiyangalani, you will check into your lodge, unpack, and sit back to watch the sun drop behind the world's largest permanent desert lake.
The Desert to Lake Expedition.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Turkana
- Accommodation:
- Palm Shade Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
The Ancient El Molo and the Waters of the Jade Sea
The Ancient El Molo and the Waters of the Jade Sea
Today is dedicated to exploring the fascinating human and natural history of the Lake Turkana Basin. Your morning begins with a short drive along the rocky shoreline to visit a traditional village of the El Molo, recognized as Kenya’s smallest ethnic community. This ancient, resilient culture has survived for generations in this harsh volcanic landscape by relying entirely on the lake. You will document their unique, dome-shaped huts woven from doum palm fronds and learn about their traditional fishing methods using hand-woven nets and traditional rafts made from lightweight palm logs.
In the afternoon, you will board a sturdy boat to head out onto the deep, turquoise waters of the Jade Sea. As you cruise past stark volcanic outcrops, the sheer scale of the world's largest permanent desert lake reveals itself.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Turkana
- Accommodation:
- Palm Shade Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Prehistoric Horizons , the Turkana and the Desert Museum
Prehistoric Horizons , the Turkana and the Desert Museum
Your final full day at the Jade Sea dives deep into the ancient history of the cradle of mankind. After breakfast, you will head up to the Desert Museum, perched on a scenic hilltop overlooking Loiyangalani. This unique cultural hub offers an exceptional look at the collective heritage of the eight distinct communities living around Lake Turkana. Inside, you can photograph and document fascinating exhibits of prehistoric tools, ancient fossils, and traditional artifacts that chart thousands of years of human survival in this rugged basin.
In the afternoon, your guide will take you down to local archaeological sites to view ancient rock art sites hidden among the basalt boulders. These prehistoric petroglyphs, engravings of wild animals and mysterious geometric symbols carved by early hunters, provide a profound connection to the generations that walked these shores before us. You will wrap up the afternoon on a high ridge, dramatic sunset over the immense volcanic lake.
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- Main Destination:
- Lake Turkana
- Accommodation:
- Palm Shade Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
The Great Southern Transit to Nairobi
The Great Southern Transit to Nairobi
Your epic northern expedition concludes with a powerful, full-day journey from the volcanic shores of Lake Turkana back to the bustling capital of Nairobi. Setting out before dawn, you will leave Loiyangalani behind, watching the jagged, dark basalt lava fields slowly soften into the open, semi-arid savannahs of the northern frontier. Tracking south through Laisamis or the rugged Maralal highlands, your 4x4 vehicles climb back up the spectacular eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley, passing through the cooler, lush central highlands near Mount Kenya.
By late afternoon, the quiet wilderness gives way to the familiar, vibrant energy of Nairobi. This final transit beautifully connects the ancient, untouched landscapes of the cradle of mankind with modern Kenya. Arriving in the city by evening, you will be transferred directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight or to your hotel, bringing your remarkable desert adventure to a grand close.
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- Main Destination:
- Nairobi (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
