Samburu to Summit Expedition

1. 1–2

   Days 1–2

   Depart from the UK, Arrive in Nairobi, Great Rift Valley

   Meals included: lunch and dinner

   Jambo! Welcome to Kenya! After our flight from the UK to Nairobi we will be met and greeted by our English-speaking guide from our operations in Kenya. We head to our overnight hotel in Nairobi.

2. 3

   Day 3

   Njorowa Gorge, Great Rift Valley

   All meals included

   This morning we head north through the dramatic Great Rift Valley. On route we’ll stop at a viewpoint where we can directly see the forces of nature evidence of how shifting plate tectonics has shaped the landscape. Our destination is the Hells Gate National Park. The camp is in a superb location 50m up on a spur of ground overlooking the whole valley. Wildlife abounds with herds of buffalo, giraffe and Kongoni likely to be grazing below.

3. 4

   Day 4

   Activity Day, Game Drive

   All meals included

   After a leisurely start, we can look forward to an exciting day spent climbing, abseiling, hiking or game driving in the park. This afternoon we’ll experience the thrill of our first game drive, we’re likely to encounter giraffe, zebra, buck and buffalo. There is also an opportunity to view hyena and smaller cats; make sure you have your cameras at the ready!

4. 5

   Day 5

   Lake Naivasha

   All meals included

   Another day spent acclimatising. After breaking camp, we will take a short drive of 30 minutes down the road to our next camp on the shores of the stunning Lake Naivasha. The rest of the day can be taken at a relaxing gentle pace; we could head out bird watching or take a boat trip touring Lake Naivasha. Alternatively, if we want something more active, we can head to Mt Longonot, a dormant volcano last thought to have erupted in the 1860’s, there is a 7.2 km walk up and around the vast dormant caldera which is 12km wide, a truly dramatic site.

5. 6–7

   Days 6–7

   Trek & acclimatisation ascent

   All meals included

   Now the expedition starts to crank up a gear. It’s an early start as we drive to the Aberdares for an acclimatisation ascent of Kipipiri 3600m or The Elephant. (4000m). The following morning, we rise early and head for the summit before returning to camp mid-morning. In the afternoon we take a well-earned rest and prepare for our project.

6. 8–11

   Days 8–11

   Project

   All meals included

   We have two options for the project work, working at a local school or a conservation-based project. Both conform to our strict policies, ensuring that any community projects are sustainable and genuinely benefit the villages we visit as well as providing a rich experience for the group. More details are available when the trip is confirmed.

7. 12–14

   Days 12–14

   Rest day followed by Camel Safari

   All meals included

   Day 12 is a rest day. The following day we head to Likipia to take part in the next exciting element of our expedition, a camel safari. We’ll be introduced to our camel train team which will include a cook, our camel guides and security guards who will accompany us into the bush for two days of walking or riding (if you fancy it!). We journey through the Great Rift Valley which offers stunning panoramic views and encounters with wild animals. Lunch will be served at our camp for the night. There is also an option of a guided walk through the bush before dinner. Tonight, we sleep under the star filled skies of Africa.

8. 15–20

   Days 15–20

   Mount Kenya Trek

   All meals included

   After finishing the camel safari, we head for the Timau River Lodge and our Mount Kenya expedition. Mt. Kenya is a broad, largely symmetrical volcanic cone with a diameter of about 120km. formed between 2.6 and 3.1 million years ago. Following less frequented routes, we use the Sirimon Trail to ascend, passing spectacular alpine moorland, forests, glaciers and tarns. Our goal is Point Lenana, at 4985m, the second highest trekking peak in Africa. On our first day we meet our trekking support team including head guide, assistant guides, cooks and porters who will carry our bags – always full of smiles and encouragement. Over the next few days we’ll get to know our support team very well. We quickly settle into a daily trekking routine, typically waking at 0630, breakfast is served at 0700, the bags are quickly packed and we’re ready to leave the campsite. The lower slopes are through the moorland tussock grass and the first section of the trek allows for a gentle introduction to the mountain with time to acclimatise. As we head to higher altitudes the true majesty of the mountain comes into view, the pencil cedar trees give way to bamboo which itself gives way to the giant heather zone and alpine meadow plants. It’s not unusual to spot tracks from various game as we make our way up the mountain. Our planned ascent day is on day 19, an early start as we push for the summit before the clouds roll in. We make a descent for one last night on the mountain before returning to camp on day 20. During the trek we can also get stuck in with an ‘Environment Clean Up’ and help to clear litter on the mountain that other groups have left.

9. 21

   Day 21

   White Water Rafting

   All meals included

   Another highlight of the trip as we head to the Tana River, a drop pool river offering an exciting day of white-water rafting. Starting with 3 km of easy class II and III white water, followed by a 6 km section with an hour or so of relaxation to view the abundance of bird life around. Cool off with a swim in the warm water. The final 7 km of river, back to the campsite starts with some easy class III waters where paddle commands are revised followed by 3 big rapids (class IV and V) with names like ‘Captains Folly’, ‘Can of Worms’ (because of its four 90-degree bends in succession) and ‘Sphincter Flexor’. We return to our campsite for our last night under African skies and a celebration of the past three weeks, looking back on the many adventures we’ve had and the memories we’ve made.

10. 22

    Day 22

    Departure Day

    Meal included: breakfast

    Depending on the time of our flight we may have a free morning, we transfer to the airport for our return flight back to the UK.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.