Once you have ticked off Kenya’s classic safari destinations, why not venture further north, up through the Great Rift Valley? Here you will discover flamingo-filled lakes, dramatic landscapes, rich cultures and private ranches with pioneering conservation programmes. Northern Kenya presents a landscape of stark contrasts, characterised by vast arid areas that occasionally go without rain for months or even years. From craggy volcanic fields to sandy dune systems, the terrain is home to unique wildlife, such as blue-skinned Somali ostriches, that you won’t find anywhere else in Kenya.
Operated by the local Samburu community, Reteti provides a nurturing environment for orphaned elephants, offering them a second chance at life in the wild. Here, dedicated caretakers work tirelessly to rehabilitate and reintegrate the elephants into their natural habitat.
This is the result of a widely recognised and expanding grassroots movement of community-driven conservation across Northern Kenya that has the added benefit of encouraging economic activity within this remote community.
The eclectic animal collection known as the Northern Five comprises Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and reticulated giraffe. These are generally endemic to Kenya and neighbouring countries and are a special sight: the gerenuk’s long neck, the thin stripes of Grevy’s zebra and the odd shapes of the giraffe’s coat all wonderfully portray the diversity of East African wildlife.
Northern Kenya is a stronghold for the rare black rhino, with many ranches offering rhino tracking as a unique activity. Black and white rhino are critically endangered across the continent and thanks to conservation efforts here, are making an incredible and hope-filled comeback.
The northern tribes that call this area home are many, from the Maasai and Kikuyu people to the Borana, Samburu, Meru and Kalenjin communities. Rich cultural experiences abound.
The traditional way of life of the Samburu is well preserved, and visitors can sit in a dry riverbed at sunset and be treated to song and dance surrounded by a hundred lanterns.
The jaw-dropping, remote landscapes of Laikipia are best explored from the air. Multi-day expeditions by helicopter along the Great Rift Valley are available, as well as a spectacular flight over the snows of Mount Kenya.
Being able to land in out-of-reach places and explore areas off the beaten track make this an incredible and unique experience not to be missed.
Operated by the local Samburu community, Reteti provides a nurturing environment for orphaned elephants, offering them a second chance at life in the wild. Here, dedicated caretakers work tirelessly to rehabilitate and reintegrate the elephants into their natural habitat.
This is the result of a widely recognised and expanding grassroots movement of community-driven conservation across Northern Kenya that has the added benefit of encouraging economic activity within this remote community.
The eclectic animal collection known as the Northern Five comprises Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and reticulated giraffe. These are generally endemic to Kenya and neighbouring countries and are a special sight: the gerenuk’s long neck, the thin stripes of Grevy’s zebra and the odd shapes of the giraffe’s coat all wonderfully portray the diversity of East African wildlife.
Northern Kenya is a stronghold for the rare black rhino, with many ranches offering rhino tracking as a unique activity. Black and white rhino are critically endangered across the continent and thanks to conservation efforts here, are making an incredible and hope-filled comeback.
The northern tribes that call this area home are many, from the Maasai and Kikuyu people to the Borana, Samburu, Meru and Kalenjin communities. Rich cultural experiences abound.
The traditional way of life of the Samburu is well preserved, and visitors can sit in a dry riverbed at sunset and be treated to song and dance surrounded by a hundred lanterns.
The jaw-dropping, remote landscapes of Laikipia are best explored from the air. Multi-day expeditions by helicopter along the Great Rift Valley are available, as well as a spectacular flight over the snows of Mount Kenya.
Being able to land in out-of-reach places and explore areas off the beaten track make this an incredible and unique experience not to be missed.
Kenya’s vast northern region is easily accessible by plane from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. Whether at the start or end of your safari, the daily scheduled flights or your own private plane will get you there in no time at all.
For those wanting to combine Northern Kenya with a Maasai Mara safari, there is a good network of scheduled flights that allow for easy onward connectivity otherwise, a night in Nairobi is never a bad idea.
