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Lake Turkana Cultural Festival Tour

The Lake Turkana Festival is one of the cultural highlights on Kenya’s calendar. Ten communities in this remote corner of the world coming together to celebrate their differences – don’t you want to be a part of that?!

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Meet Samburu and Turkana communities and learn their traditional cultures
  • The spectacular Lake Turkana Festival
  • Incredible wildlife in Samburu National Reserve

 

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1 May: Nairobi to Thomson’s Falls

From Nairobi, head north to Kenya’s central highlands.  Tonight you camp at the colonial-era Thomson’s Falls Lodge that sits right at the top of the waterfall – there is the option to upgrade into a room if you prefer and there is free wi-fi in the bar/restaurant area.  The 72-metre high Thomson’s Falls are beautiful and easily reached via a walking track.
Included meals: Lunch, Dinner
Approximate driving time: 3 1/2 - 4 hours

2 May: Thomson’s Falls to Maralal

Today you continue north, heading to Maralal. Kenya’s Wild West, this dusty town became famous through hosting the annual Camel Derby (every August).
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Approximate driving time: 4 - 4 1/2 hours

3 May: Maralal to Loiyangalani

The drive up to Lake Turkana is almost like driving through an Open Museum as you pass by tribes of Turkana, Borana, Samburu, Rendille, Somali, Ariaal, Gabra and El-Molo.  This exotic corner of Kenya will be your home for the next four nights as you enjoy the fabulous festival and celebrate all the tribes you have been seeing along the way.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Approximate driving time: 7 1/2 hours

4 May: Lake Turkana Festival

A number of activities are organised for festival-goers and you are free to choose your participation levels.  There are excursions to out-lying communities as well as cultural displays at the festival site.  
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5 May: Lake Turkana Festival

The Festival continues with a program of cultural activities to keep you entertained.  Otherwise, there is the option to head to Mt Kulal where a climb to the summit provides an awesome view of the Lake Turkana.  Or you can choose to visit the newly-opened Desert Museum on the lake shore near Loiyangalani.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6 May: Lake Turkana Festival

The final day of the festival is sure to bring some exciting events.  Enjoy your last day by the Jade Sea with some cultural performances.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7 May: Loiyangalani to Marsabit

Today you really head to the middle of nowhere: Marsabit.  Although it’s on the main road from Nairobi to Ethiopia, it is a long way from either.  Sitting on the side of a volcano, Marsabit has been hit hard by recent droughts.  However, the area is forested and Marsabit National Park has bush so dense, wildlife spotting is very challenging.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Approximate driving time: 8 hours

8 May: Marsabit to Samburu

Continue south towards Nairobi, but with one stop first.  The Samburu ecosystem comprises three national reserves: Shaba, Buffalo Springs and Samburu.  These parks are not as famous as others in Kenya, but within this ecosystem are species found nowhere else in the country, including the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe and the gerenuk
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Approximate driving time: 6 1/2 - 7 hours

9 May: Samburu National Reserve

You have a full day to enjoy Samburu National Reserve.  The landscape offers amazing variety from open savannah to scrub desert to lush river foliage, offering fantastic opportunities for excellent wildlife encounters.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10 May: Samburu to Nairobi

Head south, driving some of the day in the shadow of majestic Mount Kenya, Kenya’s highest peak and Africa’s second.  Cross the equator where you can test for yourself the theory that water drains in the opposite directions in the two hemispheres.  Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon, where you will dropped back at your accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Approximate driving time: 7 hours

Price per person camping: US$1950

Price per person in accommodation: US$2250

** Please enquire for Resident rates and/or group discounts

Inclusions:

  • All accommodation, including tent hire and camping fees

  • All meals listed in the itinerary plus 2 litres bottled water per person per day

  • All transport and tours/game drives as listed on the itinerary in a comfortable safari van with pop up roof fit for photography, game viewing and touring

  • Services of professional English-speaking crew including a driver-guide and a cook

  • Park entry and game drives in Samburu National Reserve

  • Entry and guide at Thomson’s Falls

  • Security escort in northern Kenya

  • Flying Doctors cover for the duration of the tour

     

Not Included:

  • International flights and visas (approximately $50, to be confirmed by you for your nationality)

  • Travel insurance

  • Meals not listed

  • Personal expenses or room charges including laundry, drinks and phone calls

  • Vaccinations

  • Additional optional activities

  • Tipping or gratuities – an entirely personal gesture

 

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3 day Samburu & Aberdares

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