Turkana Expedition

We take the daytime KLM flight to Nairobi.

Upon arrival, the guide welcomes us at the airport and then transfers us to Silver Spring Hotel BB where we spend the night.

We take the road heading north which passes at the foot of the Mount Kenya, on the eastern slope. Along the way, we observe large crops of cereals and pineapples. Night camping in the Naru Moru region.

This morning, it's time to discover the must-see Samburu National Reserve. This reserve borders the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river in the center of the country. It is home to a large number of rare species such as the Grevy's zebra, the Somali ostrich, the giraffe antelope, the beisa oryx and much more. We also encounter classic animals, including the pronghorn, the Grant's gazelle, the impala, the buffalo, the Burchell's zebra and the Cape eland.

Dinner and overnight at the camp

This morning, we continue our journey further north, until we reach the Marsabit park: a real contrast with the arid and rocky landscapes we crossed. The park is home to a magnificent lake in a fairly lush landscape. This area stands out for its large population of zebras and its bird sanctuary. Among the bird species to observe, there is the white-bellied turaco and the red-billed quelea.

You will meet the ethnic people of the Samburu. These warrior men do not go unnoticed with their colorful clothing.

In the morning, we go on a safari in the Marsabit reserve before changing scenery: Chalbi desert. A vast expanse of nearly 100,000 km² that hides a few lush oases. Volcanoes and ancient lava fields surround this area with a landscape of ochre rock. (Depending on the season, the desert can be flooded and thus becomes impassable).

We meet the Rendille and Turkana ethnic groups and surely that of the caravan traders with their camels passing through the region.

This morning, we embark on a hike of approximately 3 hours across the desert.

Then, back on the track, still heading north towards North Horr, a village that seems lost in the middle of a wild and desert region.

Camping in the wild region near North Horr.

Today, we discover the Sibiloi National Park which is located on the east shore of Lake Turkana. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this location fascinates adventurers with its impressive fossils and petrified forest. The park is also a protected area in order to preserve both its important fossil zone for paleontology and its rich biodiversity.

We cross the reserve to reach the Koobi Fora site and observe the fossil remains of prehistoric animals. The geological formation of Koobi Fora is composed of sediments from lakes and rivers on the shore of Lake Turkana. The fossils dating back between 2.1 and 1.3 million years ago are still very well preserved.

This morning, heading south towards Alia Bay, located on the shores of Lake Turkana.

There, we board a motorboat and navigate with the winds, until we reach the island Central Island (crossing of approximately 2 hours). Upon arrival, we discover this volcanic island, also called Crocodile Island. Setting up our camp and overnight in bivouac.

This morning, we treat ourselves to a beautiful hike in Central Island. The island covers an area of 5km² and is formed by three volcanic cones within which small lakes reveal themselves, attracting many birds. We will not fail to notice the crocodiles that inhabit them. They come to breed there so much that during the breeding season (April, May), thousands of baby crocs rush into the water.

Our hike takes us along the ridge of a crater that offers us a sumptuous very mineral landscape where sky blue and ochre colors of the stone reign.

We then return to the camp for lunch before setting off by boat and leaving the reserve.

We traverse a difficult and rocky track. The landscape consists of large fields of lava blocks bearing witness to the region's tumultuous geological past

We reach El Molo Bay after a long and tiring journey. In the middle of nowhere, we can rest while enjoying a superb view of Lake Turkana. The latter is home to a large number of large Nile crocodiles. There are also hippopotamuses that are still hunted with spears by the El Molo ethnic group.

We arrive at Loiyangalani which represents a protected biosphere while being a crossroads of Nilotic tribes. We meet nomads in caravans there.

Camping in a palm grove.

We resume the trail heading due south as we move away from the shores of the Lake Turkana. We rediscover the rugged landscapes of the Great Rift Valley and cross through a few traditional villages.

Night in the bush.

We arrive at Maralal, a town located east of the Loroghi plateau. Surrounded by conifers, the town offers several tourist activities while serving as the starting point for numerous bush hikes, camel treks, or walking tours. We meet the Pokot ethnic group, and their craftswomen who make clothes from goat hides.

We are then transferred to the city of Nakuru to settle at the camping site, located before the lake reserve.

Dinner and night at the camp.

This morning, we head towards the Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake that is part of the Great Rift Valley.

We have lunch on the shore of this body of water where thousands of pink flamingos roam.

After dropping off our luggage in our bungalows, we take a boat trip to Crescent Island. We take advantage of the wild surroundings for a little hike in nature among zebras and gazelles.

Dinner and overnight stay at the bungalows near the lake.

We return to Nairobi.

After a free lunch, we can take advantage of the time remaining to do some shopping before heading to the airport for the international flight.