5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS CHALBI DESERT

The Northern region of Kenya is vast and scenic. It is the home of a variety of tribes and has remained comparatively unique until now. Ranging from the lush highland green of the southern side of the Mathews Range and Samburu National Park to the red sands of the northern borders with Ethiopia in the Chalbi Desert, its terrain is varied, mysterious, and extraordinarily beautiful.

The Chalbi Desert is a real gem; it is located in Marsabit County, east of the famous Lake Turkana (the largest desert lake in Kenya), spreading to the Ethiopian border. Covering an area of 100.000 kilometer square kilometers, the Chalbi Desert is one of the hottest and most arid places in Kenya. Marsabit is the closest major urban center. Chalbi Desert is composed of saline and alkaline sediments and stabilized dunes; a resulting formation of the old bed of Lake Chalbi.

DAY 1: NAIROBI TO MARSABIT

On this first day of your safari, you shall be picked up at 3:00 am from an agreed pick-up location by a representative from Royal Star Expeditions for a 9-hour drive to Marsabit. After a short briefing about your safari, you will set off heading to Nanyuki. As you leave the bustling city behind, the landscape gradually transforms into the varied terrain that defines Kenya. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of Kenya’s beauty. Your drive covers around 200 kilometers, so it will take approximately three to four hours to get to Nanyuki.

You shall drive north past Nanyuki; you shall have a brief stopover at the equator crossing. The equator is an imaginary line that divides the Earth into 2 hemispheres. There is a big sign indicating the equator point and if time allows, you will have an opportunity to take interesting group photos and experience the sensation of being at a geographical milestone.

At approximately 7:00 am, enjoy your breakfast in Nanyuki at own cost before continuing with the journey towards Marsabit. You shall have the last major shopping stop at Cedar Mall, Nanyuki, before heading north. Buy snacks, drinks and supplies, as some sections ahead are long, with the possibility of delays.

You shall proceed past the beautiful farmlands of Timau, with a stopover for photos and sightseeing at Mt. Ololokwe.

Convoy En route to Northern Kenya

Arrive in Marsabit after approximately 9 hours of driving, just in time for lunch. Thereafter, proceed to The Victorian Hotel for check-in and an afternoon rest.

At 4:00 PM, depart for an evening game drive in Marsabit National Park, including a visit to Lake Paradise.

An Evening game viewing in a safari Land Cruiser is a great way to start your northern adventure. Most of the animals will be out searching for dinner. If you are lucky, you might film a hunt.

The game drive starts slowly, giving you time to absorb the wonders in front of your eyes. At this time, elephants, zebras, leopards, and cheetahs are calmer, fresher and hard at work in search of the day’s replenishment.

Feel free to ask your guide to stop for you to take better photos or a video of something interesting.

Evening game drives are an overflow of wildlife, birds and unique ambiences. Sunset mainly makes this one a little more memorable. Your exclusive open roof top land cruiser traverses the breathtaking panorama, exposing you to varieties of wildlife and beautiful vegetation. You will get to learn so much more from our professional driver guide. Witness the beautiful lake paradise and enjoy taking photos that will last a lifetime.

Your driver guide will take you to a different part of the vast park, giving you a chance to experience everything that the park has to offer.

Lake Paradise in Marsabit National Park

Enjoy the scenery and wildlife of the park until 6:00 PM before returning to The Victorian Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2: MARSABIT – CHALBI DESERT – KALACHA OASIS – NORTH HORR

Wake up early and enjoy an early breakfast at 6:30 AM. Depart Marsabit at 7:00 AM and head towards the Chalbi Desert, arriving early enough to explore the desert before the temperatures rise. Marsabit to North Horr has a long, dusty terrain hence, sunglasses and shukas are highly recommended.

Oasis

Spend some time exploring the spectacular desert landscape and taking before proceeding to Kalacha Oasis.

Camels waiting to drink water at Kalacha Oasis

After exploring Kalacha Oasis, continue to North Horr, arriving in time for lunch. Thereafter, check in at the North Horr Catholic Guest House and spend the afternoon relaxing.

Dune bashing

At 5:30 PM, head out to the North Horr Sand Dunes to enjoy the beautiful sunset over the dunes before returning to the Catholic Guest House for dinner and an overnight stay.

Sunset in North Horr

Other activities you can explore during your visit include swimming and camel rides at an extra fee.

DAY 3: NORTH HORR – GABRA VILLAGE – LOIYANGALANI

Wake up early and depart at 5:30 AM for a sunrise experience at the North Horr Sand Dunes.

Sunrise in North Horr

Return for breakfast, then check out at 9:00 AM and begin your journey towards Loiyangalani. En route, you will make a stop at a Gabra Village to stretch and enjoy a village visit and cultural exchange with the local community.

Man house hut for Gabra community who live in the desert

You will then continue to Palm Shade Camp, Loiyangalani, arriving in time for lunch and check-in.Palm shade is nestled just near Lake Turkana, hence you shall have an opportunity to explore the lake including enjoying boat rides at an extra fee of course but not expensive.

At 3:30 PM, head to Lake Turkana for a boat ride to the El Molo Village, followed by an opportunity for swimming before proceeding to the Desert Museum at 5:00 pm for a visit.

Lake Turkana in Loiyangalani

At approximately 6:30 PM, return to Palm Shade Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 4: LOIYANGALANI – NGURUNIT – ISIOLO

Following a peaceful night at Palm Shade Camp, start your day with a delightful early breakfast, relishing the flavors of delicious delicacies. As the sun begins to rise, casting a warm glow over the savanna. Check out from Palm Shade camp and depart by exactly 7:00 am.

As you head toward Ngurunit, you shall drive past the Lake Turkana Wind Power project and its striking turbines. The Lake Turkana Wind Power project is one of the largest wind power projects in Africa. The project aims to provide clean and sustainable energy to the region. With its vast array of wind turbines, it contributes significantly to Kenya’s renewable energy goals and helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

You shall also enjoy views of the Ndoto Hills as you proceed towards Ngurunit.

Ngurunit Sliding rock

Upon arrival in Ngurunit, explore the area, including the Ngurunit Sliding Rocks. Thereafter, enjoy lunch at Goblo in Ngurunit. Continue with the journey towards Isiolo, arriving at approximately 6:00 PM.

Check in at Saala Hotel, Isiolo, for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 5: DEPARTURE

Wake up and enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out at 10:00 AM. Depart Isiolo and drive towards Nanyuki, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, continue with the return journey to Nairobi, arriving at approximately 5:00 PM, marking the end of your 5-day Northern Kenya and Chalbi Desert adventure.

Upon arrival, your assigned professional safari guide from Royal Star Expeditions will drop you off in your initial pick-up location. This will then mark the end of your safari. He will proceed to bid a fond goodbye.

END OF SAFARI

Included in the Safari Cost:

• Accommodation for 5 days, 4 nights as specified in the itinerary.
• Transportation as per itinerary by an open-rooftop Land Cruiser
• Meals on a full board basis.
• Service literate English-speaking driver/guide.
• Game drive as per itinerary in Marsabit National Park.
• Government taxes.

Excluded in the Safari Cost:

• Marsabit National Park entry fee of Kes ksh 500 per Kenyan adult per day to be paid in cash upon entry or online via e-citizen KWS Pay. Click on the link https://kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke/
• Excursions and other extra activities e.g., boat rides in Lake Turkana, swimming at Kalacha Oasis/North Horr and camel rides at Ngurnit.
• Packed breakfast/Packed lunch, snacks, and drinking water.
• Sightseeing and excursions not specified in the itinerary.
• Excursions and other extra activities
• Personal Taxes.
• Drinks, tips, laundry, telephone calls and other items of a personal nature.
• Medical cover and insurance.

NOTES:

• Kindly note this is a package for 7 pax on private transfers by an open-roof Safari Land Cruiser. Kindly note that a decrease in the number of travellers will affect the price.
• Bookings are only valid upon making payment.
• Clients to carry identification cards (IDs) or passports.
• Please carry packed Snacks and drinking water in a refillable water bottle for the Trip.
• Plastic water bottles are not allowed in the park.
• We are not holding rooms and they will be subject to availability.
• We reserve the right to re-route the itinerary when there is no availability of a service i.e. accommodation to another of similar standard.
• The rates quoted are subject to change without prior warning if there are any increases in bed levies, park fees, fuel, sales tax or VAT, third-party services and season’s low seasons and peak seasons or any other circumstances beyond our control.
• All cancellations are subject to hotel policy.
• Medical cover we advise you to get from your home country.
• 75% booking fee should be paid upon confirmation and the balance payment 21 days prior to the travel date.
• Trading terms apply.

AMOUNT IN KES FOR KENYANS