Turkana Truck
This rugged 1,800-km expedition is run in land cruiser or Landrover, as trucks are not allowed into the Sweetwaters Private Game Ranch. This means a maximum group size of 10. It takes you up into the heart of the Northern Frontier District via the Sweetwaters and Samburu Game Reserve. You will traverse along some of Africa's worst roads, see beautiful mountain forest surrounded on all sides by hot dusty deserts, eventually arriving at our camp on the shores of the Jade Sea (Lake Turkana). Ours is the only camp situated right on the beach of the lake with spectacular views of the South Island. The camp comprises 12 double traditional Turkana palm leaf huts, a dinning/lounge, kitchen, showers and toilets. Our 20-seat boat is based here and is available for sunset cruises and exploring the surrounding areas. You will see a great variety of tribes during the tour and cross the Chalbi Desert if dry. During the rains it becomes an enormous shallow lake. At Tuum you will spend sometime camel walking with Samburu local guides on the foothills of Mt. Nyiro. /BC Departs on Wednesdays.
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Depart Nairobi in the morning and proceed to Mt Kenya region. Afternoon gamedrive at Sweetwaters game ranch to see the wildlife including chimps. This private ranch is the only sanctuary for rehabilitation in Kenya of these widely abused primates with two groups living in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible. It is something interesting to see besides rhino, lion and other attractions. We spend night at Mountain Rock Campsite.
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Depart in the morning for Samburu game reserve to arrive there in time for the afternoon gamedrive in the park. Elephants abound; you may see lion, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, grevy’s zebra and oryx. Dinner and overnight in our semi-permanent campsite beautifully set under a canopy of trees or pitch tents on the edge of Uaso Nyiro River.
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We head north again along the African highway to Marsabit, which is an extinct volcano heavily forested on its upper slopes. After setting up camp, we will visit the lodge inside the National Park if not too wet. You may see elephant, buffalo and kudu as the lodge is situated on the edge of a water-filled crater. As long as the park is dry we drive through thick forest to the famous Lake Paradise. There are some very steep hills which are impassable if wet.
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We visit Marsabit town and another volcanic crater before making our way back into the desert and lava flows. We camp at Kalacha, a small settlement on the edge of the Chalbi Desert.
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We depart early crossing the Chalbi Desert. The desert cannot be crossed if wet but there are alternative roads around the North and South. We arrive at our semi-permanent beach campsite just outside Loiyangalani soon after lunch. Here we have traditional Turkana Huts or pitch tents with a cool breeze blowing from the lake for use if available otherwise we pitch tents in an alternative campsite. Indeed a perfect place to relax protected from the scorching sun and heat characteristic of the harsh climate of this remote area.
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We spend the day relaxing and bathing only interrupted by a short boat excursion to visit 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 [optional] for traditional dances under a star studded sky at an extra cost if clients wish. Unforgettable experience.
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Rift Valley we head south to Tuum, situated on the west of Mt. Nyiro. This is a very scenic but rough drive. From Tuum You have the chance to walk with camels and Samburu guides for a couple of hours to the foothills of Mt. Nyiro where you will fly camp together with the guides and camels.
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Early morning walk for a couple of hours to meet with your driver guide and vehicle then continue on the rough journey to Maralal for Dinner and overnight.
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Heading south we visit Lake Baringo where we overnight in a campsite and enjoy the lake atmosphere with birds, crocodiles and hippos.
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Have early morning boat ride. After Breakfast drive back to Nairobi late afternoon. Departs on Wednesdays.
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The Local Payment also know as the Park fees are divided into 2 seasons; High season and Normal season. High season is in January,February,March,July,August,September and October while Normal season is April,May,June,November and December.
| Rates | Group | Valid From | Valid Until | Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per person | 1 | 3 Jan 2012 | 20 Dec 2012 | US$ | 930 | ||
| Local payment (Park fees) per person for both High and Normal seasons | 1 | 3 Jan 2012 | 20 Dec 2012 | US$ | 240 |
