15 Days Jade Sea Journey (8 days on foot) ( SLA/WS/003 )

Introduction

This 15 day northern Kenya experience will take you to one of the remotest parts of the Great Rift Valley, Suguta with its seasonal Lake Logipi, see Lake Turkana the way the old explorers did on foot and then walk with the Rendille tribesmen and their camels into the Kaisut Desert, before visiting the Samburu and Buffalo Springs Reserve to view the peculiar Northern game species; reticulated giraffe, Oryx, Grevy's zebra and gerenuk.

This trek will take you to one of the lowest parts of the Rift Valley system. It is strongly recommended that 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. If done any other tim e of the year, walking would have to start before dawn to avoid the very high temperatures experienced in the afternoon.

Itinerary

15 Northern Circuit Walking Safari (SLA/WS/003)

Areas of Interest : Lake Baringo , South Horr , Mt. Ngiro, Lake Logipi, Lake Turkana, Ndoto Mountain, Milgis River and Samburu Game Reserve,

Activity: Wildlife, Bird Watching, Scenery, Photography, Culture and Ethnic,Camel ride and Walking

Country: Kenya

Day 1: Arrive / Nairobi

Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), you will be met by a SLA representative who will assist and transfer you to the Norfolk Hotel, the watering hole for the pioneers and Happy Valley set of 1920's Kenya . No other hotel in Kenya has such a rich a history as that of the Norfolk . Many of the bedrooms overlook the hotel's famous courtyards where colourful flowering trees and shrubs give a friendly 'home-away-from-home' ambience. Meal plan is bed and breakfast

Day 2: Nairobi , Lake Baringo

Depart after breakfast in a specially prepared 4 x 4 vehicle and drive into the Rift Valley via Nakuru to Lake Baringo , where we set up camp on the lake shore. Lake Baringo is excellent for birdlife and possible views of crocodile and the hippo which some tim es come grazing right into the camp area. (Beware, hippos can be very dangerous so don't approach them!)

Day 3: Lake Baringo , South Horr

After an early breakfast, we head out on a long drive to the Rift Valley, via Maralal, the capital town of the Samburu people, situated high in the hills above the Leroghi Plateau. We climb up to 8,000ft before descending down to Baragoi, a small market town and heading to South Horr where we set up camp.

Day 4: South Horr, Mt. Ngiro , Suguta Valley (walking)

Today we head to Mt. Ngiro which stands east of the Suguta Valley . Surrounded by desert, the upper slopes of the mountain are covered in forest a sharp contrasts to the dry, dusty landscape below. Our ascent will take us up Mt. Ngiro and where we set up camp on the western side of Ngiro: enjoy the views of the Suguta Valley and also Lake Turkana . We will only carry essentials for one night and thus the camp will be very basic.

Day 5: Suguta Valley (walking)

In the morning we descend to Tuum at the foot of Mount Ngiro . This is where we meet our crew and pack animals who will accompany us on the voyage to the Jade Sea . We continue on, into the Suguta Valley (with its dramatic scenery of desert, salt lakes, volcanic cones and jagged lava fields) and will set up camp at a suitable spot, shaded from the severity of weather conditions. From here on water is a real problem and although we can refill at Parkati town, we have to take care of consumption and little or no washing is available on this section.

Day 6: Suguta Valley, Lake Logipi (walking)

We approach Lake Logipi and Cathedral rock – an island in the centre of this seasonal soda lake. This saline lake some tim es hosts many flamingos - not as pink as their cousins down south, but the birds are still a fantastic sight. This is an incredibly harsh country, but the scenery is dramatic. Again we camp in desert conditions near the lake.

Day 7: Lake Logipi, Lake Turkana (walking)

From Logipi we depart early and head north over the Kakorinya ridge to Lake Turkana , glistening like a jewel in the sun. Lake Turkana is one of the largest desert lakes in the world and is often called the ‘ Jade Sea ' because of its remarkable ‘blue-green' colour. We will camp near the lake shore, possibly buying fish if there are fishermen about.

Day 8: Lake Turkana , Loiyangalani (some walking)

We walk east through the lunar landscape past the remains of Telikis volcano (extinct) to Von Honels Bay where the crew with the vehicle will be waiting to transport us to Loiyangalani and bid goodbye to our crew from Tuum.

Arriving in the afternoon, we will spend the evening relaxing at our camp on the lake shore, with a refreshing drink and plenty of water for a cool shower.

Day 9: Loiyangalani, Ngurunit

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast followed by a leisurely drive back to south Horr as we head east to Ilaut and Ngurunit town where we set up camp. Enjoy the excellent views of the Ndoto Mountains from this small Rendille and Samburu settlement.

Day 10: Ngurunit, Ndoto Mountain (walking)

We depart on foot with the Rendille tribesmen and camels to carry all our equipment. The route may vary from tim e to tim e but often, we walk up a spectacular valley between granite cliffs, over a forested ridge of the Ndoto's and descend into Langata Nanyuki and camp near a stream. This is where we meet up with the Rendille camels, having carried our gear through a more accessible route.

Day 11: Ndoto Mountain, Milgis River (walking)

We depart in a convoy with camels and walk to Il Kirin on the Milgis river bed. This is a large, mostly dry river that carries rain water from Wamba and Barsaloi regions east of the Leroghi hills into the desert, where it disappears. We will make camp near the river bed. Some tim es the local people excavate deep wells in the sandy river bed and people trek for kilometres to water their livestock and collect for their own consumption. We may catch them singing in unison as they raise the water – an interesting sight.

Day 12: Walking

With our Rendille guides and camels we again walk east through thorn-scrub to a pre-arranged rendezvous point where we all camp together.

Day 13: Samburu & Buffalo Spring

We bid farewell to our Rendille crew, and drive to the main Marsabit road at Laisamis and go south to Samburu and Buffalo Springs reserve at Archers Post. This harsh, incredibly photogenic region is home to rare and endemic species , has fantastic scenery, abundant wildlife and a strong cultural experience. We will set up camp for two overnights in the Reserve .

Day 14: Samburu, Buffalo Spring National Reserve

The day will be spent game viewing in this reserve looking for the special Northern game as well as elephant and possibly the big cats. 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 long necked graceful antelope, Oryx – with its splendid straight horns, the Grevy's zebra – a larger and finer stripped animal than the common or Burch ells Zebra….and of course the reticulated giraffe with its finer white lines.

Day 15: Nairobi

Return to Nairobi via the shoulder of Mt. Kenya and Nanyuki. Drop off at hotel of your choice or at the airport.

The cost of the safari is as follows:

2 pax will be US$ 4462.20 per person

4 pax will be US$ 3188.00 per person

Prices include:

• An experienced Guide

• Airport / hotel/ airport transfers

• Accommodation on bed & breakfast at Norfolk Hotel

• Local Guides and Assistants

• Services of pack animals (either camels/donkeys)

• 4x4 Safari Vehicle

• English Speaking Safari Driver

• English Speaking Experienced Safari Chef

• Three meals a day while on safari whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian prepared by our safari cook

• All campsite fees

• All camping equipment including use of our three-person tents (each tent shared by 2 people), stools, foam mattresses, camp beds, except sleeping bags

Excluded:

• Game park entrance/local community fees shown separately as ‘local payment'

• Emergency evacuation cover

• Personal travel insurance

• Sleeping bags

• Optional traditional dances and visits to cultural villages [can be arranged with the guide]

• All airport taxes and visas

• Any other extras not stated as included above e.g. alcoholic beverages, gratuities to staff, etc

• Any other extras not stated as included above

NB

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.