Trips

Nairobi

Border Information: If joining in Nairobi, you will most likely enter Kenya at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA code: NBO). There will be a group meeting at the joining hotel at 6:00pm. Please look out for a note from your tour leader at the reception when you arrive giving more details about this important meeting - your leader will need to check your Ethiopia visa (please see below for details). If you would like to explore Nairobi fully, we advise you arrive a day earlier, or arrive early in the morning to give yourself a full day before the meeting in the evening. Possible activities include visiting the Karen Blixen Museum, the National Museum and the Langata Giraffe Centre. Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Nairobi before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pretour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Nairobi. In Nairobi we will camp in the grounds of a peaceful eco-camp in the suburb of Karen. Hotel for the night: Wildebeest Eco Camp Wildebeest Eco Camp 151 Mokoyeti Road West Karen Nairobi Kenya +254 7347 70733 Activity Approximate Cost Visit the Langata Giraffe Centre in Nairobi KES 1000 About Nairobi: Nairobi is a lively city with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. The Kenyan capital takes its name from the Maasai meaning 'Place of Cool Waters'. Today it is a busy, bustling place that comes alive through it's many markets, shops, bars and restaurants, not to mention its vibrant nightlife. If you have time to explore the city, the National Museum of Kenya and Karen Blixen Museum are both worth a visit, or you can get up close to the giraffes and help to feed them at the Langata Giraffe Centre.

Naivasha

Today we make our way to Naivasha, on the edge of a beautiful calm lake in the Great Rift Valley. Here we will have the chance to take an optional boat trip on the lake to spot hippos and African fish eagles, and also to visit the Elsamere Born Free Foundation at the old home of Joy Adamson. Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours. On the following day we will have free time in the morning to enjoy some excellent optional activities around Naivasha. Naivasha is the base for exploring the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary and the Hell's Gate National Park, two scenic areas that are some of the only places in East Africa where you can safely explore and look for wildlife on foot. In Naivasha we will stay at a well equipped campsite on the lake shore. Activity Approximate Cost Visit to Lake Naivasha KES 7000 Overland through western Kenya and the Rift Valley USD 40 Horseriding or cycling at Hells Gate Included in Kitty Explore the beautiful landscape and wildlife of Hell's Gate National Park by foot or by bicycle USD 50 About Naivasha: Northwest of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi lies the serene Lake Naivasha. A beautiful lake with some excellent campsites along the shore, there is the fantastic opportunity to take a calm boat trip to spot a wide variety of birds (including the African fish eagle) and the hippos that call the lake home. Naivasha is also home to the Elsamere Conservation Centre, a sustainability and conservation trust based in the former home of Joy of George Adamson, the founders of the Born Free project. Naivasha is also the gateway to the fabulous Hell's Gate National Park - a rugged and primordial landscape, Hell's Gate is full of wildlife but contains no dangerous predators, meaning that it is one of the few National Parks that visitors are able to explore on foot and by bicycle. The nearby game reserve of Crater Lake is also perfect for walking safaris amongst the wildlife of the region.

Naivasha

Today we will have some free time for optional activities in Naivasha before we head through the hills of central Kenya through the area's beautiful scenery and tea plantations, to arrive at the small village of Naro Moru at the base of Mount Kenya. Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours. On the following day we will have a free day in Naro Moru to take optional walks around the lower slopes of Mount Kenya, explore the nearby Mau Mau caves, or take an optional game drive in the nearby Sweetwaters National Reserve. In Naro Moru we will stay at a well equipped campsite. Activity Approximate Cost Guided walk to the Nayaroi Caves in the foothills of Mt. Kenya, used by the Mau Mau during the rebellion against British colonial rule KES 1000 Head out horse riding in the forests around Naro Moru KES 1000 Nature walks around the base of Mt. Kenya, searching for birdlife and Colobus monkeys USD 15 About Naro Moru: Naro Moru is a tiny village on the western flanks of Mount Kenya, most famous as being the starting point for the most popular trekking route up the mountain. There are many activities available for short-term visitors, such as day-treks on the cool forested slopes of the mountain to look for birds and local caves used by the Mau Mau in their fight against the British in the 1950s.

Samburu Village

Today we will travel to the Samburu region near to the small town of Archer's Post, where we will visit a Samburu village. Here we will be shown around the village and their homes, play with the children and learn all about the way of life here for the Samburu people! We will camp in the village in the heart of the community tonight, where there are no toilet or washing facilities. Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Visit to Samburu tribal community and cultural project Included in Kitty About Samburu Village: We stay at a Samburu village just outside the Samburu National Reserve. Similar in appearance to the Maasai but less known, the Samburu are a proud warrior tribe. Here we watch traditional Samburu dancing, and learn about Samburu tribal life and customs. The project is run by Samburu tribesmen for the benefit of the community.

Samburu National Reserve

This morning we will enter the Samburu National Reserve, where we will enjoy game drives in the truck (breaking for a long lunch during the heat of the day). Samburu is a stunning National Reserve and is a great opportunity to spot big game such as cheetah, leopards, lions, and buffalo. The Reserve is also home to other animals rarely seen in the National Parks further south, such as Grevy's zebras, Somali ostriches and gerenuk ('giraffe-necked antelopes'). Tonight we will wild camp in a camping area in the National Reserve - facilities are very basic, but the area is a 5-10 minute walk from Samburu Lodge. Please note that during very wet conditions we may need to use locally-chartered 4x4 jeeps rather than our truck to get a good game drive in - in this instance we may make this option available at extra cost. Activity Approximate Cost Wildlife safari in Samburu National Reserve Included in Kitty About Samburu National Reserve: The Samburu region has hardly been touched by tourism and its pristine wilderness is home to a fascinating mix of Kenya's nomadic tribes who still retain traditional ways of life. These tribes include the Samburu, Rendille, Turkana, and Kalenjin. The Samburu National Reserve is famous for its reticulated giraffes, Grevy's zebras, graceful gerenuks, and Beisa oryx, whilst crocodiles are often seen in the river. If we are lucky, we may also see lions or leopards here. The Ewaso Nyiro River meanders through the reserve forming a ribbon of oases in the parched landscape. We will visit the Samburu Cultural Centre outside Samburu National Reserve. Similar in appearance to the Maasai but lesser known, the Samburu are a proud warrior tribe. Here we watch traditional Samburu dancing, and learn about Samburu tribal life and customs. The project is run by Samburu tribesmen for the benefit of the community.

Moyale

Today we will have an early start to travel through the very rarelyvisited region of northern Kenya, crossing the infamous MarsabitMoyale road to the very northern border town of Moyale. The scenery today is spectacular as we travel through the black lunar landscapes near Marsabit and pass mountain greenery, spectacular craters, watercourses, bush country and termite mounds. Estimated Drive Time - 11-12 hours. In Moyale we will stay in a basic local hotel or camp in a local campsite. Please note that due to security issues in this particular area, we will sometimes be accompanied by two armed police escorts.

Konso

Border information: Exit Kenya at Moyale, enter Ethiopia at Moyale. For those on a longer combination trip starting in Cape Town or Victoria Falls, please play special attention to the visa notes in the information below. Today we will cross the border into Ethiopia and have a full day of travel to Konso, home to the local Konso people and our gateway to southern Ethiopia. In Konso we will camp in the grounds of a basic lodge. Estimated Drive Time - 9-10 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Visit this traditional village and see how locals have lived there for hundreds of years. Soak in the calm atmosphere of a village that has stood the test of time. Included in Kitty About Konso: In the far south of Ethiopia on the banks of the Sagan river is the town of Konso, the gateway to the Omo Valley. Home to the Konso people, a Cushtic-speaking people native to the region, there are many traditional Konso village in the area where little has changed about the way of life over the centuries and old traditions are strongly upheld.

Arba Minch

Today we will arrive in the town of Arba Minch, a small town overlooking Lake Chamo. On route we will visit Konso Village and a Cultural Centre. In Arba Minch we will stay in a basic local hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Hire bicycles to explore the stunning surrounds of Arba Minch ETB 200 Boat trip on Lake Chamo to see the crocodile 'market' ETB 450 About Arba Minch: Meaning 'forty springs', Arba Minch takes its name from the streams found between the two Rift Valley lakes of Abaya and Chamo. The town has stunning views over the lakes and surrounding forested areas, and also has an excellent and vibrant market. Lake Chamo National Park is home to what the locals refer to as the 'crocodile market'. This is a place on the shores of the lake where vast numbers of crocs congregate, some of which reach over 7 metres in length. The lake is home to the Guji and Ganjule people who traditionally hunt hippos and are famed for their 'ambatch boats', which resemble the boats carved in the tombs of the ancient Egyptians

Arba Minch

Border Information: If you are joining in Arba Minch, you will most likely enter Ethiopia at Arba Minch Airport (IATA code: AMH). Welcome to Ethiopia! Today is the arrival day for those joining in Arba Minch, and will be a free day to explore the town. There will be an important meeting with your crew at 6:00pm today. Look out for a note from them at the hotel reception letting you know where to meet. In Arba Minch we will stay in a basic local hotel.   Hotel for the night: Zebib Pension Zebib Pension Secha Arba Minch Ethiopia Tel - +251 4688 14788   Activity Approximate Cost Hire bicycles to explore the stunning surrounds of Arba Minch ETB 200 Boat trip on Lake Chamo to see the crocodile 'market' ETB 450 Visit the fascinating village of Chincha to learn all about the culture of the Dorze people ETB 100

Arba Minch

Today we have time for optional activities such as taking an optional boat trip on Lake Chamo to the view the crocodiles that reside there (known locally as the crocodile market) or to take bike rides around the city.

Awassa, Wendo Genet

Today we will head north to the small town of Awassa, where we can visit the local fish market. After our visit we will head to Wendo Genet, a small town in the hills above Awassa, where we will stay for the night. Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Relax in the Hot Springs at Wendo Genet  Free Head out on a short walk to the waterfalls near Wendo Genet  ETB 100 Experience the true local culture at this fish market. If you would like to try the soup make sure you bring your own bowl!  Included in Kitty

Bale Mountains National Park

Today we will leave Wendo Genet and drive to the stunning Bale Mountains National Park. Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours. We will enjoy 2 full days to explore the National Park. We will keep one day completely free to head out for optional guided walks - there are several possibilities for routes, including highland routes up the hills and moorlands searching for mountain nyalas, or lowland walks through the forest areas to look for Bale monkeys! On the other day we will drive in the truck up to the Sanetti Plateau, all the way to the second-highest point in Ethiopia (the 4359m summit of Tulu Dimtu) to explore the primeval landscape and search for Ethiopian wolves. In the Bale Mountains we will stay in dorms in a basic lodge near the entrance to the National Park. Activity Approximate Cost Horse/mule treks or guided hikes through Bale Mountain National Park  Included in Kitty Head up to the incredible Sanetti Plateau on a day trip with our overland truck, stopping to explore the area on foot and search for Ethiopian Wolves  Included in Kitty