Along the rift valley, from Lake Turkana to Nakuru

8 days
From US$3,500 per person
Trust us, all dreams are valid, and if your dream is to one day travel to Lake Turkana in Kenya then join us. We offer you an exciting tour of the people and landscapes of the Rift Valley, where lakes, hills, wildlife, mountain ranges, valleys and agricultural plantations mingle before the vast arid lands of Lake Turkana.
  • Boat on lake Turkana
    On Lake Turkana ©Jade Sea Journeys
  • El Molo woman in Kenya
    El Molo women at Lake Turkana ©Jade Sea Journeys
  • Lake Turkana fishing scene
    Lake Turkana fishermen ©Jade Sea Journeys
  • Children at Lake Turkana in Kenya
    Children at Lake Turkana ©Jade Sea Journeys
  • Rhinoceros in Kenya
    Rhinoceros at Nakuru ©Jade Sea Journeys
  • The Lake Turkana in Kenya
    View of Lake Turkana ©Jade Sea Journeys

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Nairobi-Kitale

    Depart Nairobi and drive, with packed lunch, via Nakuru and Eldoret , with en route stopovers to view and experience the Great Rift Valley and panoramic views and far horizons to Kitale. Dinner and overnight at Aturukan Hotel.

  • Day 2

    Kitale-Lake Turkana

    After an early breakfast drive, with packed lunch, through Cherangani Hills, the vast open desert land and among others, to Lodwar, the capital city of Turkana people, and onward to Eliye Springs Resort on the west side of Lake Turkana. Settle down, dinner and overnight.

  • Day 3

    Lake Turkana

    Breakfast and morning at leisure, nature walk, bird walk or swim. Lunch and thereafter in the afternoon do a boat excursion to Central Island NP (UNESCO – world heritage site).
    The world's largest desert lake, Lake Turkana is 250 km long and 60 km wide. Also known as the “Jade Sea”, it flows right up to the Ethiopian border. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Although the environment is dry and not very conducive to the development of vegetation, aquatic life is abundant. The Nile crocodile and the hippopotamus can be found here. The lake is fed by three rivers from Ethiopia. It is also the saltiest lake in Africa. The lake is drained by evaporation, which increases its salt content.
    The undulating algae in its waters regularly change color, turning from gray to blue as the clouds pass overhead. On the surface, however, the lake is always bright green in the sunlight.
    Lake Turkana is also the perfect place for sport fishing enthusiasts. You'll find the fearsome Nile Perch, which can grow up to 2 meters long and weigh 200 kg, or the tiger fish with its vampire-like teeth.

  • Day 4

    Lake Turkana

    After breakfast, with picnic lunch, drive to Nariokotome “Turkana Boy” site discovered by Dr. Leakey and back to Eliye Springs for sundowner.Turkana Boy, also called Nariokotome Boy, is the name given to fossil "KNM-WT 15000", a nearly complete skeleton of a Homo ergaster youth who lived 1.5 to 1.6 million years ago. This specimen is the most complete early hominin skeleton ever found. It was discovered in 1984 by Kamoya Kimeu on the bank of the Nariokotome River near Lake Turkana in Kenya. Estimates of the individual's age at death range from 7 to 11 years old.

  • Day 5

    Lake Turkana

    Mini-breakfast and thereafter a cultural visit to Turkana Village or homestead and return to the camp for full breakfast. The rest of the morning at leisure and after an early lunch drive to Ferguson’s Gulf/Bay to visit by boat the Turkana fishing community to experience and witness their day-to-day activities there. A variety of water birds are also seen here including flamingo, an ideal paradise for birdwatchers. Return to Eliye Springs Resort for Sundowner, Turkana cultural dance, dinner and overnight.

  • Day 6

    Lake Turkana-Kitale

    After an early breakfast and with packed lunch, drive via Lodwar and Cherangani Hills to Kitale, dinner and overnight Aturukan Hotel.

  • Day 7

    Kitale-Lake Baringo-Nakuru

    Breakfast and with packed lunch drive via Eldoret, Iten, Kerio Valley and Lake Baringo (stopover) to Nakuru town. Overnight at Grand Winston Hotel

  • Day 8

    Nakuru-Nairobi

    Breakfast and with packed lunch drive to Lake Nakuru National Park for morning game drive.
    Lake Nakuru is frequented by flamingos and pelicans. This park is home to a rich fauna, including leopards, elephants, Rothschild's giraffe, white rhinoceros (easily observed) and reed antelope. Buffalo, waterbuck and lion complete this non-exhaustive list.
    In the afternoon drive back to Nairobi, and end of our services.

Prices

Price conditions for your safari in Kenya


Price Per Person

Based on 2 people: US$ 3,570
Based on 3 people: US$ 2,815
Based on 4 people: US$ 2,435

Price Include

  • Transport in private 4x4 land cruisers 
  • Unlimited kilometers
  • Park entry fees
  • Boat services on Lake Turkana 
  • Tour driver/guide 
  • Local guides where necessary
  • Drinking water (refer below)
  • Hotel accommodation on Full Board basis sharing room (refer below)

Not Included in the Price

  • Visa fee
  • International flight
  • Transfers were not applicable 
  • Travel and cancellation/medical insurance cover
  • Hotel accommodation in Nairobi
  • Single Room (under single Supplement terms) 
  • Beverages, Alcohol, Spirits
  • Reusable Water Bottle for refilling (Very Important)
  • Photographic fee with the local people
  • Eventual tips
  • Any items or expenses of personal nature
  • Any other items not mentioned in the inclusions

Travel info

Here is some practical information for your safari in Kenya 


Accommodation during your safari in Kenya

Accommodation is in either twin or double rooms at carefully selected safari lodges. The lodges we use are all set in spectacular locations and provide delicious meals and comfortable airy bedrooms. Here's a list of the accommodations we use on our trips. If they are fully booked, we will offer you similar accommodation.

Transport in safari

You will be travelling in one of our comfortable safari vehicles (Minibus or 4x4).  Each vehicle has a "pop top" roof to provide excellent views of the incredible wildlife. 

Other Useful Information to travel in Kenya

  • No plastic bags in to Kenya
  • No plastic bottles in the Game Parks and Reserves
  • Carry your COVID Vaccination Certificate 

Entry requirements for Kenya

  • Mandatory passport valid 6 months after your return date
  • Since January 4, 2024, entry to Kenya has been subjected to an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), in place of a visa.
Travellers must now apply for an ETA in advance at https://www.etakenya.go.ke, and present it before boarding the plane.
Depending on your nationality, you'll need to check the entry requirements. 

Sanitary conditions for Kenya

  • Yellow fever
Yellow fever is endemic in central and western Kenya. Vaccination is strongly recommended (in approved centres). In principle, vaccination against yellow fever is only required for people arriving from a country where this fever is endemic(1), or for people who have spent more than 12 hours in transit through one of these countries. To avoid any inconvenience, we strongly recommend that you are up to date with your yellow fever vaccination and in possession of an international vaccination booklet.
(1) In Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Congo (DRC), Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda. South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela. 

  • Malaria
Malaria, particularly prevalent around Lake Victoria and on the Kenyan coast, is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bites of mosquitoes infested with the malaria parasite. There are two complementary forms of malaria prevention: protection against mosquito bites and prophylactic drug treatment. Conventional measures to protect against mosquitoes in the evening and at night are strongly recommended (see “A few simple rules” below). As far as prophylactic medication is concerned, you should contact your GP or a hospital specialising in travel medicine before you leave. During your stay, and for two months after your return, in the event of fever, medical advice should be sought systematically and rapidly, in order to start anti-malarial treatment as soon as possible. 

Before you travel to Kenya, it's important to :
  • Consult your GP or an International Vaccination Centre to assess your state of health and receive health recommendations, particularly concerning vaccinations
  • Set up a personal pharmacy 

Climate

Kenya's climate is equatorial, with significant regional variations.
There are two dry seasons, the first from December to March, and the second from July to October.
These alternate with rainy seasons, between April and June, then between November and early December.
There are, however, a few nuances to these generalizations. On the coast, the climate is hot and humid, but moderated by the monsoon. In the desert to the northeast, the heat is dry, except in April and May, when there is some light rain.
The climate is humid around Lake Victoria, a little less so in January and February. Higher up, the climate is drier and warmer, with cold nights.
During the dry seasons, visitors flock to the area and all the trails are passable. Animals become easily visible in the dry grass and around waterholes. There are therefore more visitors between December and March, but also in July and August.
The “in-between” months of June, September and October are less crowded, but the weather conditions are quite suitable.
The wet seasons are less frequented, but the rains can be quite violent, even accompanied by spectacular thunderstorms, which can alternate with sudden clearings. At this time of year, there's no sweltering heat and, above all, the light is magnificent for photographers. It's also the time of animal births, but the tall grass doesn't always make observation that easy.

What to Pack

  • Good quality sandals
  • Good quality light walking shoes
  • Casual shoes for evenings
  • Light boots for your own comfort in the evening
  • Fleece jacket
  • Practical safari jacket
  • Lightweight waterproof rain jacket, windbreaker or fleece jacket
  • T-shirts-Short and long sleeve shirts or blouses
  • Shorts and long casual trousers
  • Casual light dresses or skirts
  • Enough underwear, socks and hankies
  • Bathing suits
  • Toiletries, lip balm and scarves
  • Miniature wet towel and Kleenex (enough)
  • Small backpack 
  • Small reusable water bottle
  • Small flashlight or headlamp (important)
  • Hat with 'shin cord' to avoid blowing away and a safari hat or cap (important)
  • Important Quality mosquito/insect repellent (for body)
  • Waterproof sun blocker cream/sunscreen
  • Personal medication
  • Good quality sunglasses
  • Binocular and Guidebooks
  • Camera with extra battery and memory card
  • Adventure spirit, Patience, Energy and Good sense of Humour

Strengths

  • Landscapes (Ferguson Bay and central Island) of Lake Turkana
  • People (Turkana, Borana and El Molo) of lake Turkana
  • Lake Nakuru NP
  • Baringo lake
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