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This safari is designed for those
who would like to visit two famous game reserves,
but set themselves aside from the crowd and
spend plenty of time walking in-between. This
trek - safari is also a touch different in that
a couple of nights are spent in the comforts
of a lodge, whilst most of it is primarily camping
under the vast African sky.
In Kenya, the Masai Mara is legendary for seeing
big game all year round. Samburu and Buffalo
springs are particularly renowned for their
unique Northern game – the reticulated
giraffe, gerenuk, Oryx and grevy’s Zebra
as well as having large herds of elephant. In
terms of standard safaris, the Mara and Samburu
combination is extremely popular to most visitors
who come to Kenya.
Between these two amazing parks we offer an
in depth walk in the Samburu inhabited Loroghi
Hills, and a visit to Lake Bogoria and Nakuru
(both of these are renowned for excellent bird
life) plus some walking outside the park boundary
of Masai Mara.
Itinerary
Please
Note: If
you are coming from overseas we can arrange
pick up from the airport, hotel or you may also
wish to camp on the edge of the Great Rift Valley
– 50 Kms from Nairobi. All this can be
pre-arranged.
Day
1- Nairobi, Mount Kenya
Day 1 is deemed as departure
from Nairobi and leaving as early as convenient,
we drive through Kikuyu-land (the kikuyu are
the largest tribe in Kenya and inhabit the area
around Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare Range) towards
and over the West shoulder of Mt. Kenya. A long
descent follows to Isiolo and onwards to Buffalo
Springs and Samburu National Reserves. Due to
the distances and poor quality of roads involved,
the drive is particularly long, though we hope
to arrive in camp in time to view a bit of game
along the way.
Day
2- Mount Kenya, Samburu
Samburu (situated on the North Side of the
Ewaso Ngiro River) and Buffalo Springs (south
side of the same river) is home to some species
specific to the North of Kenya. These include
Gerenuk – a graceful long necked antelope,
oryx – with its splendid straight horns,
the grevy’s zebra – a larger and
finer stripped animal than the common or Burchells
Zebra….and of course the reticulated giraffe
with its finer white lines.
As well as these species, you may well see lion,
cheetah, leopard and elephant. The landscape
is typically North Kenya - scrub with Acacia
Riverside forest and rocky hills. The region
also offers excellent birdlife and whilst in
camp you can spend time bird-watching. Days
are generally hot and nights can get cool (15
°C).
Day
3- Samburu, Lerogi Hills (some walking)
We depart and drive north for a few kilometres
before turning west past the Mathews Range of
hills and proceed through dry scrub until we
ascend an escarpment at the southern end of
the Loroghi Hills. Camp will be assembled at
a small settlement called Baawaa. However, before
reaching there we can stretch our legs and walk
for about two hours, thus offering a welcome
interlude to our previous days of driving. The
crew and vehicle will go ahead and set up camp.
Day
4 to 6- Lerogi Hills, Losiolo (walking)
The Leroghi hills are a well forested range
to the east and north of Maralal town, composed
of grassy ridges and lightly forested valleys,
enjoying pleasant weather conditions ideal for
trekking through. It is home to the Samburu
people who stand out in their bright red blankets,
beads and ochre.
There are many signs of elephant and buffalo
in these hills, but sightings of such game in
the forest is not easy and we have to be particularly
cautious, when on rare instances we surprise
large game. For this reason, Samburu guides
accompany us, as they are particularly familiar
with the hills as well as the habits of the
recluse wildlife.
The 3 day walk consists of two days of open
walking affording excellent views of distant
hills and on the last day, a particularly spectacular
view of the rift valley from Losiolo (8200ft
alt) where we spend our last night – cold
but beautiful. Apart from our own bustling around
the campfire, the nights are filled with the
sounds of nocturnal creatures, busy with foraging
and their own socialising. You will be left
with memories of the distinct cries of the exotic
turaco bird, which reverberate throughout the
forest.
We will spend three days walking in this region,
following elephant tracks through forests, past
Samburu settlements called Manyattas, sometimes
we can take a rest near a grazing herd of Samburu
cattle and try to converse with the herdsmen.
We end our walk at the Losiolo viewpoint where
we camp.
Each day our crew (cook and driver) go ahead
and set up camp so that when we finally arrive
at 3pm, our tents are up and a pot of tea is
brewing on the open fire. We will also be accompanied
by two Samburu men who will act as guides and
interpreters. Walking is fairly easy due to
the moderate temperatures, but involves plenty
of hill climbs and descents
Day
7- Losiolo, Lake Baringo
Departing as early as possible (0800 HRS),
we drive back south to Lake Baringo –
a fresh water lake which is predicted by some
to dry up in the next 20 – 50 years due
to surrounding erosion from land degradation.
It is very rich in bird life having over 400
species and is also inhabited by hippos and
crocodiles. Likewise, it is home to the local
people (the Njemp’s tribe) who fish and
tend to herds of voracious goats. If time allows,
we will do a one hour boat trip on this brown
Lake to view aquatic and bird life. We then
continue towards Loboi – a small town
at the north end of Lake Bogoria and overnight
at Lake Bogoria depending on room availability
at the time.
Day
8- Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria (walking)
Departing extremely early (0600 Hrs) we are
dropped off on the northern end of lake Bogoria.
Lake Bogoria is a soda lake resting against
the edge of the eastern wall of the Rift Valley.
It has numerous hot springs, is home to many
flamingos and we often see zebra, kudu and numerous
other small game.
We proceed by foot following the lake shore.
The path is almost flat but as the day proceeds,
the temperatures can reach 35°C, making
things strenuous. Some may reach fig tree camp
at the southern end of the lake in good time,
whereas others may want a rest from 1pm to 3pm
beneath the relaxing shade of a thorn tree.
Either way we will find the crew ready with
camp and tea and of course a refreshing shower
for the weary walker. The scenery is particularly
good at the southern end of the lake and we
arrive in good time to enjoy it. The night is
spent at Fig Tree Camp.
Day
9- Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru (some walking)
After breakfast by the edge of the lake we
walk for about 2 hours until our diligent crew
catch up with us. We drive through sisal plantations
(sisal is a natural fibre plant and is used
especially for string or rope) and make our
way into Nakuru town for some brief shopping.
After lunch we drive into Nakuru National Park
– famous for its flamingos. This soda
lake has other attractions such as the endangered
white and black rhinos together with possible
sightings of lion, buffalo, zebra and sometimes
the elusive leopard. Our afternoon game drive
here allows us time to look for them.
We spend the night at a lodge or hotel in Nakuru.
Day
10- Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara
After another early morning game drive, we
drive out of the park and head for the celebrated
Masai Mara Game reserve. The Mara is made up
of rolling plains interwoven by the Mara River
that flows into the Serengeti in Tanzania. We
overnight at our permanent tented campsite on
the edge of the reserve on the Talek River.
Day
11- Masai Mara
Full days game drive. Depending on the time
of year (July-Aug-Sept) the annual wildebeest
migration drums through these plains and the
Mara is full of predators to take advantage
of this feast, as well as many other types of
wildlife that follow along. We will search this
expansive park for big game and the herds that
it is famous for. The sharp eyes of our Masai
guide will keep an eye out for the shy cats.
Day
12- Masai Mara (walking)
We leave early by foot and walk out into the
plains north of the Mara reserve accompanied
by Masai guides who know the area well and will
take us safely to where we have set up camp
in the wilderness.
Day
13- Masai Mara
(walking)
Again we will spend the day wandering these
plains through Masai grazing lands and wildlife
areas. The star filled nights under canvas with
the sounds of Africa will be the grand finale
to an epic journey through Kenya.
Day
14-
Masai Mara, Nairobi
On this final day we return to Nairobi either
to a hotel of your choice or fly straight to
your home destination.
Please
Note:
- The gear and crew are transferred by vehicle
from camp to camp each day on some itineraries
(Wild Plains and Tropical Moorlands), unless
otherwise specified. However, if specially
arranged, donkeys or camels can be used depending
on area. Some itineraries require donkeys
or camels in which case the four-wheel-drive
would meet us on the last leg of the trip
(Mystic Nomads and Jade Sea Journey).
- If you are coming from overseas we can arrange
transfers from and to the airport, hotel bookings,
beach holidays, balloon safaris, camping and
lodge safaris, overland safaris and any other
activities you would like to participate in
whilst in Kenya. Please enquire with our Sales
team.
- Clients should arrange to have good weatherproof
clothing, a warm sleeping bag, a water bottle,
good walking shoes and a comfortable pair
of shoes to wear in camp.
- Although these itineraries follow a specific
routine, there may be need to alter certain
days due to the pace of walking or even interference
by weather conditions.
- For Jade Sea Journey only: Due to the harsh
terrain and heat, this itinerary would be
best done during the rainy/”winter”
season (March to May, June, July and October
to November) as it is much cooler, otherwise,if
done any other time of the year, walking would
start before dawn to avoid walking in the
afternoon when temperatures are high.
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