Chalbi Desert safari: is an off-the-beaten-path adventure in northern Kenya, offering a unique experience of vast salt pans, volcanic landscapes, and rich cultural interactions. Tours typically depart from Nairobi and may include stops at other notable locations like Marsabit and Lake Turkana.
- Best time: The dry season, from July to October, and again in January and February, is the most favorable time for a safari. During this period, the dry terrain is easier to traverse and allows for activities like game drives and camel riding.
- Rainy season: The wet seasons occur from April to June and November to December. While it may bring renewed life to the flora, the roads become challenging and the desert’s salt flats can become a shallow lake, which may limit access
Day 01: Arrival – Samburu Game Reserve – Chalbi desert Safari
Pick up from Nairobi in the morning.
Road transfer from Nairobi Samburu game reserve, on the way stopping at the Equator en-route, at the slopes of Mt. Kenya (We continue driving to Isiolo which is the start of the Northern Frontier District. Arrive at The Samburu Reserve for check in – followed by lunch. 1500 hrs – Proceed on with afternoon game viewing at the park.
Overnight Ashnil Samburu Camp (LD) 315 km
Day 02: Marsabit (Via Seredupi & Laisamis) – Chalbi Desert Safari
Breakfast at the camp.
After breakfast visit Samburu Villages then depart to Marsabit.
Morning driving through the Losai National Park viewing volcanic vents situated on the Seredupi Plain (weather permitting) and stopping at Laisamis for lunch. We continue driving to the Marsabit National Park, stopping to view an extinct volcano. In the afternoon we take a guided walk with a KWS Ranger around Lake Paradise.
Marsabit Lodge is situated within Marsabit National Park, which is one of the best kept wildlife secrets sanctuaries in the world.
Overnight Marsabit Lodge (BLD) 227 km
Day 03: Chalbi Desert Safari
Heading north over outcrops of lava rock we enter a land populated by the Borana & Gabbra tribes. The Chalbi desert is a white salt pan totally surrounded by extinct volcanoes and ancient lava flows.
The Chalbi Desert is a huge area of around 100,000 sq km of virtually flat sandy desert, to the east of Lake Turkana. The reason to visit this incredibly remote palm-lined oasis is to watch the camels come to water and to interact with the fascinating Gabbra tribe’s people.
Overnight Catholic Guest Hse. (BLD).
Day 04: Chalbi Desert Safari
Many wells are dug into the rock and sand, where Rendille and Samburu water their animals whilist singing and chanting their prayers to the rhythm of their labour.
Overnight Catholic Guest Hse. (BLD)
Day 05: Loyangalani Oasis – Lake Turkana – Chalbi Desert Safari
Road transfer to Loyangalani Oasis on Lake Turkana, stopping en-route for lunch, remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight Palm Shade Camp (LDBB) 250 km
Day 06: Loyangalani Oasis – Lake Turkana – Chalbi Desert Safari
Day free with optional trip visit to South Island (Arranged on the ground) South Island is 39 sq km and was established as a national park in 1983 again for the protection of the Nile crocodile’s breeding ground. South Island is also home to several species of venomous snakes, including vipers, puff adders and cobras approximately 30-km round trip by boat Clients need to be aware that the terrain of South Island is rugged, access is difficult and there is no permanent human settlement on the island. Only well-equipped travellers should consider making the trip out to the island.
Overnight Palm Shade Camp (LDBB)
Day 07: Maralal – Chalbi Desert Safari
We depart on a stony road heading further south via jagged peaks of Mount Nyiru as we traverse across lava flows and sand fields as well as Mt,. Kulal and finally to the hillside market town of Maralal, pioneered by Somali settlers in the 1920‟s. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at Ngari Hill Ecolodge (BLD) 325 km
Day 08: Maralal – Chalbi Desert Safari
Full day in Maralal with half day visit to the Maralal National Sanctuary Chance of seeing alot of camels – you can have optional camel ride excursion payable direct.
Overnight at Ngari Hill Ecolodge (BLD)
Day 09: Lake Nakuru National – Chalbi Desert Safari Park
7:30am – After breakfast depart with lunch boxes to Lake Nakuru. Enjoy your lunch boxes en-route.
Evening arrival into Nairobi – drop off at JomoKenyatta International Airport for your departure flight.
Price: On request
Price Includes
- Pick up and drop off at JKIA – JomoKenyatta International Airport
- Bed & Breakfast in Nairobi Hotel.
- Domestic Flights.
- Full Board on Safari
- All transport in designed safari vehicle 4x4WD with a pop up roof for maximum game viewing comfort with a professional English speaking driver/guide.
- All park entrance fees
Price Excludes
- The cost of obtaining visas
- Expenses like laundry, beverages, bar bill, telephone, mineral water, tips, porterage etc.
- International flights.
- International departure taxes.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- All other expenses that are purely of a personal nature.
- All other items that are not mentioned in ‘our price includes’.
