Northern Kenya Safari: 8-Day Secret Adventure Itinerary
Kenya is typically synonymous with the Masai Mara, but Northern Kenya offers a wild, untamed frontier for travelers seeking luxury, adventure, and culture. From camel safaris to helicopter flights, this 8-day journey through Laikipia, Loisaba, and Lewa Conservancy uncovers Kenya's best-kept secrets. Your ultimate guide to a life-changing safari.
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi & Fly to Laikipia
Highlights: Rural school visit | Tumren Camp | Sunset sundowner
Your adventure begins in Nairobi, where you’ll board a charter flight to Laikipia, a region famed for its rugged landscapes and conservation efforts. En route to Tumren Camp, stop at a rural school supported by Moyo Safaris. Participate in serving meals to students and learn how tourism directly fuels community projects like education and clean water access.
Overnight at Tumren Camp: This luxury camp in the bush has open showers and giraffe-spotting from your tent. Unwind with a sundowner cocktail and sunset walk amidst views of the savannah.
Day 2: Camel Safari & Jungle Camping
Highlights: Guided walk safari with camels | Lion footprints | Rock climbing
Take a walking safari with camels as your guide, moving through valleys filled with giraffes, impalas, and zebras. Identify lion tracks and overnight beneath the stars in the Matthews Mountain Range. After a rest, engage in rock climbing to see the Northern Kenya wilderness in a panoramic view.
Day 3: Loisaba Conservancy & Helicopter Safari
Highlights: Star beds | Great Rift Valley flight | Flamingo lake
Arrive at Loisaba Conservancy, with its renowned "star beds"—spacious tents on wheels drawn out beneath the night sky. Then, a helicopter safari reveals the Great Rift Valley's magnitude and descends onto a secret lake teeming with thousands of flamingos.
Evening Tip: Dine under the stars with elephants nearby.
Day 4: Lodo Springs & Cheetah Encounters
Highlights: Elephants at Lodo Springs | Evening game drive
Start the day at Lodo Springs, where elephants come to drink just steps from your lodge. A sunset game drive brings you face to face with cheetahs and lions that lounge on rocky kopjes.
Day 5: Horse Riding & Fly to Kitich Forest
Highlights: Sunrise horse ride | Private charter to Kitich
Ride Loisaba's plains at sunrise before boarding a private charter flight to the Kitich Forest Camp. A lunch by the river paves the way for a leisurely afternoon in this forest retreat.
Day 6: Matthews Range Jungle Walk
Highlights: Rainforest walk | Medicinal plants tour
Hike in the Matthews Range with Samburu guides, learning about plants like the Bauhinia purpurea (nature's own "Eno" for digestion). The dense forest is filled with birdsong, a serene escape.
Day 7: Lewa Conservancy & Waterfall Hike
Highlights: Black rhino viewing | Bush breakfast | Ngare Ndare Forest
Fly to Lewa Conservancy, a haven for rhinos. Following a sighting of buffalo and eland, enjoy a bush breakfast under acacia trees. End the day with a rainforest hike to a thundering waterfall in Ngare Ndare Forest.
Day 8: Farewell, Kenya
Highlights: Final game drive | Departure
Bid farewell with a morning game drive, reflecting on a week of rhino spotting, helicopter rides, and starry nights.
Why Choose This Northern Kenya Safari?
Offbeat & Luxury: Tumren and Loisaba camps combine luxury with raw wilderness.
Community Impact: Tourism supports schools, water projects, and anti-poaching efforts.
Diverse Adventures: Camel safaris, helicopter rides, and rainforest hikes offer something for adventurers.
When is the best time to visit Northern Kenya?
June to October during the dry season, when wildlife congregates around water sources, making for incredible game viewing.
What should I pack?
Light, neutral-colored clothing for blending into the environment, sturdy hiking boots for rugged terrain, binoculars for spotting distant wildlife, and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
Is it safe?
Absolutely! Guided safaris and tours are accompanied by experienced, armed guides to ensure your safety throughout your adventure.
