Walking with the Samburu: An Immersive Camping Safari
This walking safari itinerary covers the northern Samburu areas of Kenya, our favorite part of East Africa. It combines pristine wilderness exploration, cultural immersion, and wildlife conservation experiences across the country’s most spectacular landscapes. It’s makes a great standalone short trip or extension of a visit to the Maasai Mara or Laikipia regions. It’s the perfect for light adventure and the person who wants to get off the beaten path.
Arrive on your international flight late in the evening where you will be met by a representative and transferred to the Sheraton to rest for the night.
In the morning, Depart for Wilson airport for your flight to Kalama airstrip to begin your walking safari adventure. Upon landing, your Kitich guide will provide a traditional Samburu welcome with refreshments before embarking on a scenic 3-hour overland journey. Experience the dramatic landscape transition from dry savannah to verdant forest canopy as you approach Kitich Forest Camp.
Arrive in the Afternoon at your walking safari base camp. Following check-in and afternoon tea, embark on an introductory guided forest walk to familiarize yourself with this pristine ecosystem.
Dedicate day two at Kitich to comprehensive forest exploration on foot. This walking safari features encounters with prehistoric cycads and well-worn elephant pathways. Exceptional bird-watching opportunities abound throughout your trek. Optional activities include swimming in natural forest pools and fly-fishing excursions along the Ngeng River.
Begin your walking safari before sunrise to avoid midday temperatures. Trek through the scenic Misii Valley toward the renowned star pools, pausing for a panoramic breakfast stop. Continue your descent to Lugga campsite, arriving for late lunch and afternoon rest period. Refresh with traditional hot bucket showers after your challenging trek.
Depart at 6am to witness authentic Samburu daily life. Observe traditional bomas awakening and herders guiding livestock to grazing areas—unchanged cultural practices spanning centuries. Your walking safari continues through the picturesque Ngare Narok valley, accompanied by pack donkeys and experienced local guides. A breakfast positioned above a spectacular waterfall provides stunning scenery for a break. This segment traverses multiple habitats: croton shrublands, cedar forests, and ancient cycad groves. Navigate open meadows and rocky formations offering panoramic views of Mathews Forest below.
Conclude your walk with a descent through primary forest to dramatic eastern escarpment viewpoints. Evening includes sunset refreshments and campfire dinner under starlit skies.
One final walk to observe wildlife awakening during the 5km descent tuntil you are picked up by a driver from Saruni Rhino. Following breakfast, transfer to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary for a midday viewing session—experience close encounters with rescued elephants and conservation team presentations. Vehicle transfer from Sereolipi to expansive Sera Conservancy to Saruni Rhino Camp, your home for the next two days.
Explore 839,000 acres of protected wilderness through specialized walking safaris. Sera Conservancy hosts East Africa’s premier community-managed black rhino sanctuary, offering rare opportunities for on-foot rhino tracking experiences.
Alternatively, experience authentic Samburu singing wells during your walking safari explorations. Witness traditional warriors descending hand-excavated wells, creating human chains while performing ancestral songs—an unforgettable highlight for culture lovers.
Post-breakfast road transfer to Kalama airstrip for return flights to Nairobi.
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