25 Days Self Drive Kenya Roadtrip Safari Itinerary

21 Days Kenya self Drive safari to Turkana, Marsabit, Chalbi desert, Sibiloi national Park, Maralal. Venture beyond the conventional tourist routes on this camping excursion to the secluded, uncharted, and untamed regions of northern Kenya.

The 21 Days self drive safari to Nothern Kenya includes Nairobi, Lake Turkana, and the arid Chalbi Desert, followed by the verdant Marsabit National Park and the wildlife-abundant Samburu National Reserve, while exploring Sibiloi National Park, Maralal, Sweetwaters, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara National Reserve, with a 4×4 Land Cruiseri

Detailed 21 Days Kenya Self drive Safari To Turkana Region.

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Arrive in Kenya to embark on a self drive safari with 4×4 land cruiser LX or Land Cruiser Hardtop and enjoy the stunning landscape. Our guide will be present at the airport to greet you and provide the keys for the Land Cruiser. You will proceed to Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Explore Nairobi

Nairobi offers exceptional activities for a day visit. From nature sanctuaries to museums, and from craft markets to cultural activities. Engaging in all these activities is unachievable; a select number will be chosen for this day. Commence with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum, situated at the base of the Ngong Hills, to explore her literary contributions and her life in Kenya. Subsequently, visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to observe a juvenile elephant engaging in mud play and feeding.

Subsequently, visit the Giraffe Centre for an opportunity to feed the giraffes up close or even receive a giraffe kiss. The center functions as a sanctuary for the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. The tour will conclude with a visit to a craft center where women create exquisite crafts and ceramic pieces.

Day 3: Drive to Samburu National Park

Following breakfast, you will embark on a 6-7 hour journey to Samburu National Game Reserve, arriving at lunchtime. Enjoy your supper, unwind briefly, then commence an afternoon game drive in this magnificent reserve in Northern Kenya to observe a variety of wildlife, including lions, zebras, hippos, reticulated giraffes, oryx antelopes, and many others. You will subsequently return to Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp or Samburu Riverside Camp for supper and overnight accommodation.

Day 4: Entire day in Samburu National Reserve

Get up and shine in this beautiful area in the northern part of Kenya. Breakfast will be served, and since you’re not going back to the lodge for lunch, a packed one will be provided. Subsequently, you will proceed for a full-day game drive in this stunning Reserve, where you will observe an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five, excluding the rhinos.

Notable creatures to observe in Samburu Reserve include Oryx, Zebras, Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, Cheetahs, Gerenuk, Leopards, and others. Following a full day here, you will drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight rest as previously mentioned.

There is an extra opportunity to visit the Samburu homesteads for a cultural tour or experience.

Day 5: Drive to Marsabit National Park

You will eat breakfast early today. Subsequently, proceed southward to the outpost of Marsabit. We pause to see the desert scenery and the vast crater of Gof Redo. Upon arriving at your campsite in Marsabit, you will set up your camp and proceed to explore a local resort within Marsabit National Park. The town of Marsabit is predominantly encircled by the verdant hills of Marsabit National Park and experiences a somewhat cooler climate than the adjacent arid desert plains, therefore its designation meaning ‘place of cold.’

Should road conditions allow, we will drive to the picturesque Lake Paradise and Little Lake, two of the stunning seasonal lakes on Mount Marsabit. Enclosed by arid desert, Marsabit National Park is a verdant enclave of native rainforest elevated above the scorching plains. The national park offers sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife and bird species, including large-tusked elephants and kudu. Upon concluding our exploration of Marsabit Park, we return to the Lake Paradise campsite for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 6: Kalacha / Chalbi

This morning, rise early for breakfast before departing for the Chalbi Desert, contingent upon conditions. Provided the conditions are sufficiently arid, You will proceed by vehicle from North Horr to Kalacha. Should the roads be excessively wet, you will use an alternative route, circumventing the desert.

Today’s target is the remote community of Kalacha, situated around an oasis on the periphery of the Chalbi Desert. We are presented with an Eastern Cushite ethnic group known as the Gabbra. Camels are integral to the existence of these semi-nomadic pastoralists and are frequently observed traversing Kalacha. This evening, you will observe the sunset over the desert terrain, followed by an optional performance by the local Gabbra for an additional cost. Evening meal and an overnight stay at Kalacha campsite

Day 7: Proceed to Sibiloi National Park

You must travel to Sibiloi National Park, which spans 1,570 square kilometers (600 square miles) along the banks of Lake Turkana. Adjacent to the alkaline lake, the sole water supply in the area, the landscape comprises a blend of arid, semi-desert vegetation and expansive open ground approaching the desert. The park was created in part due to the efforts of the national museums of Kenya to save distinctive paleontological and archeological sites, some of which are associated with human origins. Evening meal and overnight stay at either the Lobolo campsite or Sibiloi campsite

Day 8: Comprehensive exploration of Sibiloi National Park

This morning, after breakfast, embark on a game drive in the park, observing terrestrial fauna such as Grevy’s zebras, Grant’s gazelles, lions, leopards, striped hyenas, Beisa oryx, greater kudu, cheetahs, caracal, and northern topi, among others. During your drive, relish the stunning vistas of sand dunes reaching heights of up to 40 feet, and visit the oasis within the park, featuring gushing water from heated rocks. Following the wildlife drive, you will return to the resort for lunch, and in the afternoon, you will visit Lake Turkana Island, a breeding habitat for crocodiles, where you can observe crocodiles, hippos, and several bird species inhabiting the area. Return for dinner and overnight accommodation at your lodge.

Day 9: Transition to Loiyangalani / Lake Turkana

Following breakfast on the second day, start the extensive trek to Lake Turkana. Today’s journey proceeds through Baragoi and South Horr to the little town of Loiyangalani, situated on the southeastern bank of Lake Turkana.

We reach our subsequent campsite in Loiyangalani late this afternoon and establish our camp. You are then at liberty to unwind and absorb the barren landscape of this isolated and arid area. Lake Turkana is the largest alkaline lake globally and the largest desert lake, encompassing an area of approximately 7,000 km². The lake is located in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, extending 288 kilometers across northern Kenya and slightly into Ethiopia. Lake Turkana, referred to as the Jade Sea, is encircled by arid landscapes, with the Chalbi Desert situated to the east. Evening meal and an overnight stay at Elmolo campground

Day 10: Investigating Lake Turkana

Day 10 is designated for the exploration of Lake Turkana, its arid environment, and the intriguing local customs. You may traverse on foot and swim at the next lodge, or partake in several supplementary activities offered at an additional cost (payable directly). To observe more of the lake and identify Nile crocodiles and birds, you may rent a boat. Visit el Molo and Loiyangalani town or other nearby Turkana villages to observe native lifestyles and acquire insight into existence in this challenging terrain. To learn more about the indigenous local cultures and natural heritage of Lake Turkana, visit the Desert Museum. This evening, reconvene at the camp for dinner following an enjoyable and leisurely day at the lake.

Day 11: Journey to Maralal

Following breakfast, you will go to Maralal, with the opportunity to halt at Thompson Falls to observe the picturesque 74-meter cascade (payment to be made directly). We take lunch throughout our journey and arrive at our campsite in the late afternoon. Following the erection of the tents for our inaugural night of camping, we prepare for dinner and a restorative night’s sleep after our lengthy journey. Evening meal and an overnight stay at Ngari Hill guesthouse and campsite

Day 12: Camel Trekking and Hiking

Following breakfast, you will proceed to engage in game viewing or camel riding. The park hosts zebras, elands, hyenas, and various other creatures. En route, visitors will encounter the Samburu people who prevail in this austere landscape. The quaint market town of Maralal predominantly inhabits the Samburu people, who can be observed engaging in their daily activities. The Samburu are a sub-tribe of the renowned Maasai of Kenya. This semi-nomadic group has preserved their traditional practices to a greater degree than the Maasai and is recognized for their amicability.

Day 13: Drive to Sweet Waters

Breakfast is succeeded by a morning drive from Samburu to the exquisite Sweetwaters Private Sanctuary.

Arrive for check-in and lunch at the opulent camp located in the heart of a private ranch and chimpanzee sanctuary. Dedicate the afternoon to touring the game refuge accompanied by your guide. Evening meal and an overnight stay at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.

Day 14: Discovering Sweet Waters

Breakfast is succeeded by complete exploration of the sanctuary, which houses the Big Five, numerous species of birds, black rhinos, and a waterhole visible from your accommodations, attracting wildlife both day and night. Nighttime game drives are offered at the camp.

Day 15: Drive to Lake Naivasha

Participate in an early morning game, return for a substantial brunch, and subsequently drive to Lake Naivasha. Enjoy lunch, unwind briefly, and subsequently embark on a boat excursion on Lake Naivasha to observe hippos and avian species. Following the boat excursion, you will have the opportunity to unwind or stroll into the adjacent hamlet to engage with the people before enjoying a delectable meal at Naivasha West Beach Camp or Fisherman’s Camp.

Day 16: Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park

Consume your breakfast at the lodge, following which you will check out and proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park.

Upon arrival, check in at Enjoro Camp for lunch and partake in an afternoon game drive to observe a variety of species, including rhinos and buffaloes, but excluding elephants. You will also observe a plethora of species of birds. Return to the campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 17: Exploring Lake Nakuru

Following breakfast, you will embark on a game drive around the lake Nakuru’s shoreline. In addition to the renowned flamingos, the lake attracts over 400 different bird species. The park is home to several game species, including the introduced Rothschild’s giraffe, black and white rhinos, waterbuck, reedbuck, lions, buffalo, leopards, baboons, and various plains game species.

Day 18: Transit to Masai Mara

After breakfast, down the escarpment to Narok Town, making a brief stop to get food before continuing to Masai Mara. Arrive punctually for lunch and unwind while anticipating the afternoon game drive. Afternoon wildlife drives in the renowned Mara plains, noted for its large felines. Evening meal and an overnight stay at Ol Moran Tented Camp or Talek Campsite.

Days 19 and 20: Full Days Masai Mara Exploration

Commence with breakfast at the resort, followed by a picnic lunch during an extensive game drive. Experience a day in Masai Mara, Kenya’s premier game refuge, where the likelihood of encountering the Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant – is significantly heightened. Game drives offer flexibility, allowing for full-day excursions with picnic lunch boxes or the choice of early morning and late afternoon drives.

For an additional fee, you may visit a nearby Masai community to observe their nomadic lifestyle; the Masai are renowned for their courage, having coexisted with wildlife for generations, or you may opt for a hot air balloon flight.

Day 21: Relocation to Nairobi

Following your breakfast, you will leave Masai Mara National Reserve for Nairobi. Deliver the car at the airport in order to depart.