Safari Itinerary
12-Day Northern Kenya Frontier Safari — Samburu, Marsabit & Lake Turkana
From
$6,800 pp USD
per person sharing · USD
The journey
About this itinerary
The 12-Day Northern Kenya Frontier Safari is a genuine loop through Kenya's remote north, not a there-and-back repeat of the same road. From Samburu's dry-country wildlife, the route pushes on to Marsabit's forested crater lakes, then crosses the Chalbi Desert to North Horr, continues to Illeret on Lake Turkana's far northern shore near the Ethiopian border — a stone's throw from the Sibiloi fossil sites — and follows the lake south to Loiyangalani, the heart of the 'Jade Sea.' The route home cuts through Ngurunit and the Ndoto Mountains rather than backtracking, meeting Rendille, Gabbra, Daasanach, Turkana and El Molo communities along the way. This is remote, rough-road travel in a shared 4x4 Land Cruiser with an experienced driver-guide — a mid-range trip for travellers who've already done the classic Mara-and-Serengeti circuit and want to see the Kenya almost no standard itinerary reaches.
Highlights
- — Samburu's rare northern species — Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk
- — Marsabit National Park's forested crater lakes, a green island in the desert
- — A genuine desert crossing through the Chalbi Desert to North Horr
- — Illeret, on Lake Turkana's remote northern shore near the Ethiopian border and the Sibiloi fossil sites
- — Three days on Lake Turkana's 'Jade Sea' shores at Loiyangalani, including an El Molo village visit
- — A one-way loop home via Ngurunit and the Ndoto Mountains — no repeated backtracking
- — Rendille, Gabbra, Daasanach, Turkana and El Molo communities met along the route
Day by Day
Arrive into Nairobi and transfer to your hotel, with a welcome briefing covering the frontier route ahead.
Meals
Dinner
Activities
- — Airport pickup
- — Welcome briefing
Accommodation
Confirmed at booking based on availability.
Tour Features
Mid-Range Tour
This mid-range tour uses private vehicles and comfortable lodges or tented camps.
Can Be Customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this trip.
Private Tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can Start Any Day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Minimum Age
The minimum age for this tour is 1 year.
What's Included
- ✓ All park, reserve and community fees for the listed itinerary
- ✓ Ground transport in a shared 4x4 Land Cruiser with an experienced driver-guide
- ✓ Accommodation as specified, with all meals on safari days
- ✓ Community visits (El Molo, Turkana, Rendille and others en route), paid fairly to host communities
- ✓ Bottled drinking water in the vehicle each day
- ✓ A dedicated Mellow Safaris trip coordinator throughout
Not Included
- ✕ International flights to/from Nairobi
- ✕ Kenya eTA / visa fees
- ✕ Travel insurance (arranged at cost, not marked up)
- ✕ Tips and gratuities for driver-guides and camp staff
- ✕ Alcoholic drinks and premium bottled beverages
- ✕ Optional boat excursions on Lake Turkana (bookable locally at cost)
- ✕ Personal shopping and spending money
Final pricing depends on exact dates, room category, and party size — your specialist will confirm before you book.
Optional Add-On Activities
Not included in the base price. Can be added at booking, subject to availability.
Hot Air Balloon Safari — Masai Mara
$505 pp USD
Optional, subject to availability. Must be booked in advance.
Hot Air Balloon Safari — Serengeti
$600 pp USD
Optional, subject to availability. Must be booked in advance.
Accommodation
Comfortable mid-range lodges or tented camps, selected for location and quality. Exact properties are confirmed at booking based on availability.
Mid-Range Lodge 1
Confirmed at booking
Masai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro (extended)
Mid-Range Lodge 2
Confirmed at booking
Masai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro (extended)
Route
- 1
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi
- 2
Day 2
Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
- 3
Day 3
Full Day Samburu Game Drives
- 4
Day 4
Samburu to Marsabit
- 5
Day 5
Full Day Marsabit National Park
- 6
Day 6
Marsabit to North Horr — Chalbi Desert Crossing
- 7
Day 7
North Horr to Illeret — Lake Turkana's Northern Frontier
- 8
Day 8
Illeret to Loiyangalani — The Jade Sea
- 9
Day 9
Full Day Loiyangalani — El Molo Village Visit
- 10
Day 10
Full Day Lake Turkana — Turkana Community & Lakeshore
- 11
Day 11
Loiyangalani to Ngurunit — Ndoto Mountains
- 12
Day 12
Ngurunit to Nairobi & Departure
Approximate location — exact routing confirmed with your itinerary.
Safari FAQs
What is included in the 12-Day Northern Kenya Frontier Safari — Samburu, Marsabit & Lake Turkana?
Typical inclusions are: All park, reserve and community fees for the listed itinerary, Ground transport in a shared 4x4 Land Cruiser with an experienced driver-guide, Accommodation as specified, with all meals on safari days, Community visits (El Molo, Turkana, Rendille and others en route), paid fairly to host communities, Bottled drinking water in the vehicle each day, A dedicated Mellow Safaris trip coordinator throughout. Final inclusions are confirmed with your quote.
Can this Kenya or Tanzania safari itinerary be customized?
Yes. You can request changes to nights, lodges, and destinations. A specialist will confirm what is possible for your dates and budget.
Is this a private safari or a group tour?
This is a private safari organised exclusively for your party.
How long is this safari and what does it cost?
12-Day Northern Kenya Frontier Safari — Samburu, Marsabit & Lake Turkana is 12 days (11 nights). Prices start from $6,800 pp USD per person sharing, excluding international flights. Exact pricing depends on dates and party size.
How do I enquire or book this safari?
Send an enquiry on this page, WhatsApp +254 707 820 948, or email info@mellowsafaris.com. Our specialist team is on it and will be in touch shortly.
From
$6,800 pp USD
per person sharing · USD · 11 nights
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Our specialist team is on it and will be in touch shortly.
Pricing
Booking-direct rates, no hidden markup.
Accredited
TOSK · TRA · AMREF Flying Doctors