NINE DAYS - TURKANA TRUCK VIA CHALBI DESERT RESERVE

DEPARTS FRIDAYS TWICE A MONTH
This rugged 1800km expedition in a purposely-built truck takes you up into the heart of the northern Frontier District. You will traverse along some of Africa's worst roads, see beautiful mountain forests surrounded on all sides by hot dusty deserts, eventually arriving at the Jade Sea (Lake Turkana). You will see a great variety of tribes including Pokot, Samburu, Turkana, Rendille, Gabra and Borana, across the Chalbi Desert if it is dry. During the rains it becomes an enormous shallow lake.

Depart from Nairobi in the morning heading north via the shoulder of Mt. Kenya to Samburu Game Reserve. Accommodation in the campsite under a canopy of trees on the edge of Uaso Nyiro River.

The day is spent viewing game in the park. Elephants, lion, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, grevy's zebra and Beisa oryx. among others are found here.

We head north again along the Trans African highway to Marsabit, which is an extinct volcano heavily forested on its upper slopes. We go on a guided walk around Marsabit town and also visit a volcanic crater.

We make our way back into the desert and lava flows. Arriving at Kalacha, a small Gabra settlement on the edge of the Chalbi Desert for overnight.

We depart early in the morning crossing the Chalbi Desert. The desert cannot be crossed if wet, but there are alternative roads around the North and South. We arrive at the campsite at Loiyangalani soon after lunch. There is a cool breeze blowing from the lake. Indeed a perfect place to relax protected from the scorching sun and heat characteristic of the harsh climate of this remote area.

We spend the day relaxing and bathing only interrupted by a visit to the surrounding areas. In addition, we visit Loiyangalani and the community settled there while in the evening we may visit one of the Turkana Manyattas for traditional dances under a start studded sky at an extra cost, if clients so wish. An unforgettable experience.

We journey via South Horr and Baragoi to Maralal, another forested area. The Samburu abound in their red-ochre. This is the most scenic route. Dinner and overnight at Yare camp.

Heading South again via Laikipia plains through Pokot country to Lake Baringo where we have a late afternoon boat ride. Overnight stay at Robert's camp.

After breakfast visit the cliffs on a guided bird walk Later we head south via Nakuru and through the Rift valley floor arriving at Nairobi late afternoon.

THIS SAFARI CAN BE RUN IN REVERSE ORDER.