Why Embark on a Walking Safari with Camels in Northern Kenya?

A Walking Safari with Camels is the ideal means by which to travel through Kenya. Escape the constraints of a vehicle and lose yourself in Kenya's stunning wilds. We walk where no car will go, exploring new country every day.

The first thing that people need to know about our Camel safaris is that they do not entail riding a Camel for days on end. The Camels are simply our beasts of burden carrying our entire luxury camp from campsite to campsite and we only ride them to take a rest or to get a good vantage point for a picture. See example itineraries here. Look at photos from past safaris here.

Like the Nomadic Gabbra or Turkana we move from camp to camp on foot, with a train of camels to carry our belongings and camping equipment. Your guides and hosts are Kerry Glen and James Christian who will help you spot animals, identify birds, converse with locals and generally make sure that your comfortable and well fed. Every day is unique and every safari is custom designed to suit different interests or needs. We walk through a great variety of country from high montane forest to broad sand rivers called luggas. With the changes in habitat come changes in ecology, habitat and wildlife.

Typically we awake with the rising sun, eat a delicious breakfast prepared by our chefs, and begin our journey. We are accompanied by a Laikipia Masai tracker and a few riding camels who carry our refreshments and day-packs . Our pack camels and our camp follow behind but often times they pass us as we inspect the things we encounter along the way. We arrive at our next camp to be greeted with a cool drink and a gourmet lunch. The afternoon is normally spent relaxing, enjoying a stream or river, having a siesta or fishing before going for an evening walk and sundowners. The camels also use this time to relax and browse around camp. In the evening our staff will offer hot showers before we have drinks by the fire and a three-course dinner under the stars. After a nightcap, coffee and some storytelling, we usually retire to bed.

Our tents are of a classic safari design, spacious, with netting sides, so you can lie in bed and watch the millions of stars, perhaps even a shooting star. Outside the tent is a small table and a hand basin, which is refilled throughout the day. In the early morning you will be woken with a ‘hodi’ (knock knock) and hot water in your basin outside the tent.

Our food is varied and always fresh and delicious. Breakfasts are fruit, muesli, yoghurt, eggs, bacon etc, while lunches are typically salads, pizzas, cheeses and cold meats. In the evening we have a three course meal. We serve beer and wine, which is complimentary. Each safari is tailor made to suit the group and we can walk for as long as guests feel comfortable. Typically we will walk between 10 and 15 kms getting to camp by lunchtime but occasionally we remain in the same camp for more than one night, just venturing out to explore the immediate area. We have lead people of all ages from children of 5 to folks over 80.

We are supported by a wonderful staff of Masai, Samburu, and Turkana who are all local to the areas we operate in. Their collective knowledge of plant life, animal life and culture is enough to sustain a lifetime of study.

Unlike a vehicle-based safari, a walking safari allows the traveller to enjoy a more intimate insight into Kenya's animals and its people. The areas that we operate in are not compromised by industrial tourism and because we pay bed-night fees and conservation fees to the local communities our interactions with the local people are typically, with mutual respect and friendliness.

Please contact us to inquire about any of your safari ideas.

Kerry Glen and James Christian