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Northern Kenya
Northern Kenya
Northern Kenya
Northern Kenya
Northern Kenya

Northern Kenya is arid and often goes for months without a drop of rain.

Accommodation is scattered, with very few high-quality places to stay.

Desert Rose lodge...

...is an excellent base for flying safaris...

...to Lake Turkana's remote South Island National Park.

Northern Kenya

Picture Gallery

View pictures from the Northern Kenya


The Lake Turkana Festival is a northern highlight, packed with interest.
The north is a region of huge vistas and barely explored mountain ranges.
The desert is austere, vehicle breakdowns common, and water scarce.
But the highlights can be brilliantly engaging, as in this chuch with Ethiopian paintings.
While you don't come here for an animal spectacle, wildlife interest is always present…
…and the birdlife in the forest-clad mountain regions is profuse and fascinating.
Why did the ostrich cross the road? Because there was finally a road (north of Isiolo).
The weather in northern Kenya can be intensely dramatic, as here, in a cloudburst.
Marsabit National Park is a beautiful, verdant, mountain forest…
…where lianas and lichens trail from the trees…
…and clouds drift through the forest and across the craters of this ancient volcanic area.
Namunyak Conservation Trust is a huge area of plains and mountains north of Samburu.
While the wildlife here is fairly scattered, you will be able to encounter it on foot…
…and elephants are often seen on walks from the conservancy's lodge.
Lake Turkana, one of the largest desert lakes in the world, has three islands…
…and the small town of Loiyangalani offers an endless stream of cultural experiences.
Each May, Loiyangalani bursts into life for the Lake Turkana festival, where cultures…
…clash (harmoniously) in a riot of colour…
…contrasting tribal song and dance…
…and displays of traditional ritual and custom that can be moving…
…humorous…
…and downright quirky.
Dassanech dancer
Burji dancers in their brilliantly dyed, heavy cotton tunics.
Konso dance leader
Rendille women
Samburu girl
The Turkana take to the dusty 'stage' last, as the light fades…
…and the performance becomes a dance for everyone, including Turkana in western dress.
Dancers pause to check their texts. Mobiles have transformed people's lives in the north.
In the festival grand finale, a star singer from Nairobi plays to an ecstatic audience.
1 of 31
The Lake Turkana Festival is a northern highlight, packed with interest.
The Lake Turkana Festival is a northern highlight, packed with interest.
2 of 31
The north is a region of huge vistas and barely explored mountain ranges.
The north is a region of huge vistas and barely explored mountain ranges.
3 of 31
The desert is austere, vehicle breakdowns common, and water scarce.
The desert is austere, vehicle breakdowns common, and water scarce.
4 of 31
But the highlights can be brilliantly engaging, as in this chuch with Ethiopian paintings.
But the highlights can be brilliantly engaging, as in this chuch with Ethiopian paintings.
5 of 31
While you don't come here for an animal spectacle, wildlife interest is always present…
While you don't come here for an animal spectacle, wildlife interest is always present…
6 of 31
…and the birdlife in the forest-clad mountain regions is profuse and fascinating.
…and the birdlife in the forest-clad mountain regions is profuse and fascinating.
7 of 31
Why did the ostrich cross the road? Because there was finally a road (north of Isiolo).
Why did the ostrich cross the road? Because there was finally a road (north of Isiolo).
8 of 31
The weather in northern Kenya can be intensely dramatic, as here, in a cloudburst.
The weather in northern Kenya can be intensely dramatic, as here, in a cloudburst.
9 of 31
Marsabit National Park is a beautiful, verdant, mountain forest…
Marsabit National Park is a beautiful, verdant, mountain forest…
10 of 31
…where lianas and lichens trail from the trees…
…where lianas and lichens trail from the trees…
11 of 31
…and clouds drift through the forest and across the craters of this ancient volcanic area.
…and clouds drift through the forest and across the craters of this ancient volcanic area.
12 of 31
Namunyak Conservation Trust is a huge area of plains and mountains north of Samburu.
Namunyak Conservation Trust is a huge area of plains and mountains north of Samburu.
13 of 31
While the wildlife here is fairly scattered, you will be able to encounter it on foot…
While the wildlife here is fairly scattered, you will be able to encounter it on foot…
14 of 31
…and elephants are often seen on walks from the conservancy's lodge.
…and elephants are often seen on walks from the conservancy's lodge.
15 of 31
Lake Turkana, one of the largest desert lakes in the world, has three islands…
Lake Turkana, one of the largest desert lakes in the world, has three islands…
16 of 31
…and the small town of Loiyangalani offers an endless stream of cultural experiences.
…and the small town of Loiyangalani offers an endless stream of cultural experiences.
17 of 31
Each May, Loiyangalani bursts into life for the Lake Turkana festival, where cultures…
Each May, Loiyangalani bursts into life for the Lake Turkana festival, where cultures…
18 of 31
…clash (harmoniously) in a riot of colour…
…clash (harmoniously) in a riot of colour…
19 of 31
…contrasting tribal song and dance…
…contrasting tribal song and dance…
20 of 31
…and displays of traditional ritual and custom that can be moving…
…and displays of traditional ritual and custom that can be moving…
21 of 31
…humorous…
…humorous…
22 of 31
…and downright quirky.
…and downright quirky.
23 of 31
Dassanech dancer
Dassanech dancer
24 of 31
Burji dancers in their brilliantly dyed, heavy cotton tunics.
Burji dancers in their brilliantly dyed, heavy cotton tunics.
25 of 31
Konso dance leader
Konso dance leader
26 of 31
Rendille women
Rendille women
27 of 31
Samburu girl
Samburu girl
28 of 31
The Turkana take to the dusty 'stage' last, as the light fades…
The Turkana take to the dusty 'stage' last, as the light fades…
29 of 31
…and the performance becomes a dance for everyone, including Turkana in western dress.
…and the performance becomes a dance for everyone, including Turkana in western dress.
30 of 31
Dancers pause to check their texts. Mobiles have transformed people's lives in the north.
Dancers pause to check their texts. Mobiles have transformed people's lives in the north.
31 of 31
In the festival grand finale, a star singer from Nairobi plays to an ecstatic audience.
In the festival grand finale, a star singer from Nairobi plays to an ecstatic audience.
BISATE LODGE in VOLCANOES

Safaris visiting Northern Kenya

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Itinerary image

De Brazza Monkey Fly-in Safari

9 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Enjoy a range of activities in the remote wilderness of northern Kenya before exploring the wildlife-rich plains of the Mara ecosystem. Private vehicles and guides heighten the personalisation of this highly immersive safari.

US$12,310 - US$16,320 per person

Itinerary image

Lanner Falcon Fly-In Safari

8 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Three sister camps offer access to wonderfully remote regions across northern Kenya and the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Enjoy an exclusive safari experience focused on great wildlife, superb guiding and considerable comfort, with a range of activities.

US$6,620 - US$8,400 per person

View all holidays in Northern Kenya

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Where to stay in Northern Kenya

Our suggestions for safari camps in Northern Kenya


Sarara

Sarara

Sarara is an outstanding safari lodge, with access to a vast wilderness region. Walks, drives and cultural experiences are on offer, all with very good guides.


98% (21 reviews)
Sarara Treehouses

Sarara Treehouses

Sarara Treehouses is a luxurious camp with tents raised up in the forest canopy. Come here for the wildlife, walking and cultural activities, accompanied by excellent local guides.


100% (7 reviews)
Oasis Lodge

Oasis Lodge

Oasis Lodge is a basic hotel for adventurous travellers near the east shore of Lake Turkana.


90% (4 reviews)
Saruni Rhino

Saruni Rhino

Saruni Rhino is the only camp in the Sera Conservancy in northern Kenya, where guests are based when tracking black rhino on foot.


100% (3 reviews)
Ngari Hill Ecolodge

Ngari Hill Ecolodge

The 6-room Ngari Hill Ecolodge is the only full-service lodge in Maralal and makes a convenient overnight stay en route from Nairobi to Lake Turkana.


87% (3 reviews)
Desert Rose

Desert Rose

This small, unique mountain lodge – Kenya’s northernmost luxury accommodation – is set amid the towering landscapes of Mount Nyiru, and is a superb place for rest and relaxation.


90% (2 reviews)
Marsabit Lodge

Marsabit Lodge

Marsabit Lodge is the only safari lodge in the fascinating Marsabit National Park, and the only decent accommodation anywhere between the Mathews Range and the Ethiopian border.


70% (2 reviews)
Wild Frontiers Camel Safaris

Wild Frontiers

Wild Frontiers Camel treks are based in the Milgis River area and run in various parts of northern Kenya between Lake Turkana and Laikipia.


No reviews yet
Kitich Forest Camp

Kitich Forest Camp

Kitich Forest Camp is one of Kenya's most established, remote highland forest camps, offering exciting bush walks and close encounters with big game as well as insects and birdlife.


No reviews yet
Palm Shade Camp

Palm Shade Camp

Palm Shade Camp is a simple camp for adventurous travellers near the east shore of Lake Turkana.


No reviews yet

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