4 Day Camel Safari

Itinerary

Day 1

There is a high feeling of excitement and anticipation as rosy pink streaks appear in the early grey morning light, the pack camels are being loaded up by the singing Laikipia Maasai and Turkana Camel handlers. It is cool and brisk and the flurry of colorful blankets and fireside smoke is warm. The camels chudder, gurgle and complain loudly as their loads are secured.

After an early breakfast at the lodge, set off on this amazing adventure. The Northern Frontier and Laikipia is very unspoilt and most of it remains untouched by human hand. The scenery is dramatic, the people exotic and the birdlife, flora and fauna extraordinary. Walking off into the vast wilderness following the camel train and the chanting Camel handlers is like stepping back 100 years. You just can’t get closer to nature, peace and far away from the day to day humdrum of life. The walking in this area is not all flat; the walks follow the Ewaso Nyiro River, where possible, so there are plenty of valleys. One can ride the camels when a break is needed.

Generally the walk on this first morning is about 4 hours. There is the chance of seeing Elephant, Buffalo, Greater Kudu, Eland, Oryx, Impala, Grevy’s Zebra, Burchells Zebra, Grants Gazelle Dikdik, Klipspringer, Warthog, Thompson’s Gazelle and occasionally Wild dog.

As the sun gets higher and the shadows grow shorter, and the cicadas start whirring its time to stop for a break, lunch and cold drinks under a shady tree, the air is heavy and the chilled slice of Water melon hits the spot.

The fly camp is simple and comfortable, tents with mosquito net ceilings to allow for star gazing from bed. There are bedrolls, short drop loos, kerosene lanterns for lighting and bucket showers.

Out of the cook’s trunks in the heat and dust appear fresh and delicious salads for lunch, freshly baked breads and quiche for lunch with plenty of chilled drinks.

During the heat of the day, it is recommended to rest on a bedroll under a fig tree drifting off into a slumber with the background noise of dreamy birdsong and camel bells as they look for grazing nearby.

After your nap and when it is a bit cooler, try your hand at line fishing for barbell and catfish. At some of the camp sites it is safe to swim in the river. As the sun begins its descent and cools, take a walk out from camp and enjoy some rock climbing, sundowners and great sunsets.

In the first campsite, it is best to remain in camp for the early evening, the local tribesmen of the area come down to the river to water their livestock; this is a rare and wonderful opportunity to observe the daily lives of these majestic people. It is a musical and colorful event and sometimes it is possible to take photographs.

The fires are lit, the lanterns set out, the camels corralled, as the sun disappears over the inky horizon. Long cold drinks, warm showers, and a comfortable seat around the fire for a pre dinner chat and a mug of delicious homemade soup whilst having discussion about the next day’s onward safari. After dinner, pleasantly weary slope off to bed under the star spangled sky, with the gurgle of the river, the camels, tree frogs and fireside banter as a lullaby. All the linen, bedding, towels are all provided on the safari.

Day 2 and 3

At first light you will be served mugs of hot steaming tea round the fire, whilst the shaving and washing water is poured into the wash basin at the tents. A quick early breakfast setting of in the cool together with the guide and walking camels taking a picnic lunch and lots of cold drinks. Your walking will take you into remote areas that could not be accessed by vehicle and will immerse you in the rhythm and heartbeat of the African bush. This day the pack camels will stay behind to pack up camp and head more directly to the next nights camp site.

After the picnic lunch, slumber in the shade with a book against one of the camel saddles. The next evening will follow vaguely the same pattern, as will the next morning and trek onto the last campsite on the edge of the river.

Day 4

This last day there is not such a rush. Enjoy camp and its surroundings, after a leisurely breakfast pack up your personal belongings and walk back to camp with your guide and the walking camels. The crew will remain at camp to pack up and load the camp for its return to the lodge. You will be welcomed back at camp, settle into the gorgeous rooms and enjoy a long soak in one of the fabulous enormous bath tubs.

Useful things to bring Hats, sunglasses, water drinking bottles, comfortable shoes, sandals for the evening, sarongs, swimming costumes, binoculars, camera, good book, sketchpad, sun cream, comfortable cool loose cotton clothing, mosquito repellent.