Northern Kenya Cultural Explorer

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, met and transfer to the respective Nairobi hotel. Use of room is not guaranteed before noon. Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at a NAIROBI.

Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, originated in the late 1890s as a railroad colonial settlement. It took its name from a spring of water known to the Maasai people as Enkare Nairobi (“Cold Water”). Located 1700 meters above sea level, this city was established as an intermediate station for the railway linking Mombasa with Kampala, Uganda, at the turn of the century. The pleasant climate and abundance of water contributed to its rapid growth as an important population center and, from around 1900, it also became a commercial center.

After an early breakfast at the hotel commence drive via karatina and crossing the equator at nanyuki, en route to samburu national reserve. lunch at the respective lodge. late afternoon game viewing drive. Dinner and overnight at SAMBURU SIMBA LODGE.

The National Reserve Samburu, located in the heart of Kenya, is known for its diversity of savannah landscapes, marked by the Ewaso Ngiro River. In this reserve, unique species in the region stand out, such as Grevy’s zebra, the Somali ostrich, the reticulated giraffe, the gerenuk and the beisa oryx. These animals make the visit a unique experience, in the company of 75 other species of mammals and a varied birdlife.

Breakfast at the hotel and Journey through crater lakes and volcanoes to reach the Chalbi Desert. Arriving at Camp Ndotto for late lunch. Spent the afternoon at Leisure. Late evening embark on a guided walk along the river to meet communities inhabiting this harsh yet bountiful environment. You will ecounter the nomadic Rendille warriors. Dinner and overnight at Camp Ndotto.

After breakfast, we’ll head to the town of Kargi, located in the heart of the Chalbi desert and considered the nerve center of the Rengille ethnic group.

The Rendille are inhabitants of the arid lands of northern Kenya, a nomadic people whose livelihood depends mainly on the products obtained from their herds of camels and goats. Although Kargi is one of their main settlements, some families move to Loiyangalani, where they live with communities such as the Turkana and even the Samburu.

The fine facial features, characteristic of the Cushite groups, distinguish the Rendille from the Nilotic and Bantu peoples of Africa.

Linguistically, its closest connection is with Somali. Culturally, they share similarities in ceremonies with the Gabra, another related ethnic group. As nomadic herders, they tend to goats, thick-tailed sheep and camels, and some families also incorporate livestock, despite the difficult conditions in the region.

We’ll camp in one of its villages, taking advantage of the rest of the day to immerse ourselves in the richness of its traditions and culture.

After breakfast, we’ll start our journey to North Horr to enter the territory of the Gabra ethnic group.

The Gabra are a pastoralist ethnic group rooted in the arid Chalbi Desert, with North Horr as the epicenter of their community. Their way of life is centred on raising livestock, especially camels, which not only provide sustenance, but are also the main means of transport in their mobile camps throughout the region. Its unique igloo-shaped dwellings stand out for their spaciousness and are built from a structure of poles covered with a variety of materials such as fabrics or animal skins.

Gabra society is organized into clans and its social structure is based on a hierarchy of age and gender. They have strong cultural traditions and practice ritual ceremonies, such as circumcision for young men and marriage ceremony, which are important events in the life of the community. Traditional Gabra dress includes long tunics, often with colorful embellishments and distinctive accessories.

The life of the Gabra has been influenced by political, economic, and religious changes in the region, leading to adaptations to their traditional ways of life. However, they continue to maintain strong ties to their culture, language, and ancestral practices.

Our drive to Lake Turkana traverses arid and lonely terrain, with sporadic sightings of Turkana settlements as we approach Loiyangalani.

Located on the southeast shore of the lake, Loiyangalani is a small town whose name in the native Samburu language means “place of many trees”. It sprang up around a freshwater spring, becoming an oasis in the middle of the desert. This town is ideal for exploring the surrounding area. After arriving at our hotel, we’ll take some time to eat, relax and organize our luggage, after several days of camping.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the town of Loiyangalani, where we’ll be able to appreciate the ethnic diversity in its streets and its activity in small shops.

Before sunrise, we’ll get ready to explore one of the settlements of the Molo ethnic group and sail to the island of Roto, a sacred enclave for this ethnic group. The Molo ethnic group is divided into two main settlements:

the villages of Laieni and Komote, and on the island of Roto are the shrines of Ghent. These shrines symbolize the seven clans of the ethnicity, each with its specific purpose:

Marle: Used in ceremonies, curses to enemies, prayers for rain, and protection from snakes.

Orikala: Intended for sacrifices to improve luck in hippo hunting.

Origaltite: Offers blessings to women who are barren to conceive.

Orisole: Prayers to protect oneself from disease and disturbance in the community.

Not only do these shrines represent rituals meaningful to the Molo clans, but they also reflect their deep connection to nature and their deep-rooted beliefs in protection and fertility.

Later, we’ll return to the hotel for breakfast and head to the Desert Museum. Perched atop a hill, with picturesque Lake Turkana as a backdrop, the Loiyangalani Desert Museum opened in June 2008. This museum focuses on portraying the life of the six fascinating communities that inhabit the area: Turkana, El Molo, Rendille, Samburu, Gabra and Dasanech.

Transfer to the hotel for lunch and rest. In the afternoon we will visit one of the villages of the Turkana ethnic group near the lake.

We’ll continue exploring the surroundings of Loiyangalani. 13 km to the north, we find the natural source of medicinal water Mulgo, renowned for its healing properties among the locals.

Martí Art Rock, located in a natural setting under a rocky ridge to the east, offers panoramic views of Lake Turkana and distinguishes itself as a rock art enclave in the region.

After enjoying lunch at the hotel and resting, in the afternoon we will visit a village of the Turkana ethnic group dedicated to fishing.

After breakfast, we’ll start our journey to South Horr. As we move away from Lake Turkana, the landscape transforms, introducing us to the territory of the Samburu ethnic group.

Our camp will be set up in the valley of the sacred mountain of the Samburu, Oldonyo Nyiru. Historically, this ethnic group has practiced nomadic cattle herding in an arid environment, spanning from Mount Kulal to the south of the Samburu Reserve.

The Samburu, known for their hospitality, will welcome us to their villages. Women, especially, will show off their beautiful beaded jewelry, while young men will show off stunning aesthetics and décor.

The afternoon will be spent exploring the interesting Samburu villages in and around South Horr.

We’ll leave our camp early in the morning to head south in the direction of Maralal. We arrive in Maralal at lunchtime and in the afternoon we will take a walk around the city.

We’ll head towards Lake Baringo. Before entering the descent that will take us to its shores, we’ll make a stop in the picturesque highlands inhabited by the Pokot community. This ethnic group extends from the plains of eastern Uganda to the highlands of northwestern Kenya, eventually encompassing the plains surrounding Lake Baringo.

The traditional architecture of Pokot houses is unique and they are usually circular constructions with mud walls and roofs made of plant materials. In semi-nomadic areas, the Pokot erect light huts using sticks, straw and mats, giving them the mobility to search for fresh pastures.

It is interesting to note how these women, especially married women, adorn their outfits with metallic necklaces and earrings

that include various decorations, indicating their marital status. This rich clothing is not only aesthetically beautiful, but also reflects the cultural and social identity rooted in Pokot women.

We will camp in a Pokot village, immersing ourselves in their daily life and allowing us to appreciate their rich cultural heritage up close.

We’ll wake up in a village of the Pokot ethnic group and, after breakfast and dismantle our camp, we will head to the shore of Lake Baringo. We’ll stay at the Tumbili Cliff Hotel, which offers stunning views of this lake.

After lunch, we embark on a boat trip on Lake Baringo, the northernmost lake in the region, surrounded by majestic mountains that rise up to 3,000 meters high. This lake, one of two freshwater lakes in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, reveals signs of volcanic activity through its geysers and hot springs. Its waters are home to crocodiles, hippos and a varied population of birds.

We’ll wake up in a unique setting and then travel to Nairobi for lunch at a local restaurant along the way or in Nairobil itself (own expense). Free afternoon. Farewell dinner (or lunch, depending on the flight schedule) to round off our trip and, at the agreed time, transfer to the airport for the return flight.