Experience the Magical Moments Of Uganda Safari
11 Days Hidden North Expedition – Lake Turkana
Overview: 11 Days Hidden North Expedition – Lake Turkana
This eleven-day journey is one of Kenya’s most remote, evocative, and culturally rich adventures—an expedition that ventures deep into the untamed northern frontier and culminates at the shimmering jade waters of Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake. Designed for explorers seeking landscapes untouched by mass tourism, this itinerary unveils volcanic craters, desert plains, ancient cultures, towering escarpments, and fossil-rich shores that reveal the story of humankind. From Samburu’s semi-arid wildlife territories to the sacred slopes of Mount Kulal, from pastoral communities to the windswept shores of the Jade Sea, this expedition carries you through Kenya’s wildest, most astonishing spaces.
Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Preparing for the Great Northern Journey
- Day 2: Nairobi to Samburu – Entering the Northern Frontier
- Day 3: Full Day in Samburu – Wildlife, Cliffs, and Cultural Encounters
- Day 4: Samburu to Marsabit – Forested Volcano & Crater Lakes
- Day 5: Marsabit to North Horr – Into the Heart of the Desert
- Day 6: North Horr to Lake Turkana – Reaching the Jade Sea
- Day 7: Exploring Lake Turkana – Desert Shores & Ancient Worlds
- Day 8: Turkana Cultural Immersion – Life at the Edge of a Desert Lake
- Day 9: Turkana to Loiyangalani – Wind, Stone & Desert Villages
- Day 10: Loiyangalani to Samburu – Through Desert Routes to Savannah
- Day 11: Sunrise in Samburu & Return to Nairobi – Farewell to the North
Detailed Itinerary: 11 Days Hidden North Expedition – Lake Turkana
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Preparing for the Great Northern Journey
Your expedition begins in Nairobi, a bustling city framed by rolling hills and East African culture. After arrival, you settle into your hotel and prepare for the remote, rugged days ahead. Optional visits to Nairobi’s museums offer a fitting introduction to the prehistoric story that your journey will explore more deeply around Lake Turkana.
Day 2: Nairobi to Samburu – Entering the Northern Frontier
Leaving the city behind, you travel north toward Samburu, where dramatic landscapes open into rocky outcrops and warm, desert-touched horizons. Afternoon game drives reveal wildlife unique to northern Kenya—reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, Somali ostriches, and gerenuks. Along the Ewaso Nyiro River, elephants gather in elegant family groups, and predators patrol the dry plains. Samburu sets the tone for the raw wilderness that lies ahead.
Day 3: Full Day in Samburu – Wildlife, Cliffs, and Cultural Encounters
Your full day in Samburu immerses you in a world shaped by heat, dust, and beauty. Game drives take you through riverine forests and rugged hills where leopards hide in shadows and cheetahs trot quietly across open ground. Afternoon hours offer an opportunity to visit a Samburu community where colorful beadwork, traditional attire, and stories of pastoral life bring cultural depth to your northern experience.
Day 4: Samburu to Marsabit – Forested Volcano & Crater Lakes
From Samburu, your journey climbs into the high volcanic landscapes of Marsabit. Here, ancient craters hold mist-shrouded forests and freshwater lakes, home to elephants known for their historically large tusks. Marsabit’s green, cool ambiance forms a dramatic contrast to Samburu’s arid plains. The afternoon brings gentle exploration around the crater lake as clouds swirl across the forested canopy, creating a surreal, dreamlike setting.
Day 5: Marsabit to North Horr – Into the Heart of the Desert
Today you descend from the volcanic forests into one of Kenya’s most starkly beautiful regions—the Kaisut and Chalbi Desert. As you drive across vast, empty plains, the feeling of remoteness deepens. Dusty winds shape the landscape, mirages shimmer on the horizon, and nomadic herders move with camels across the endless desert floor. Arriving in North Horr, an oasis settlement surrounded by palm groves, you discover a world defined by silence, resilience, and timeless desert life.
Day 6: North Horr to Lake Turkana – Reaching the Jade Sea
Your route continues north toward one of Africa’s most astonishing sights: Lake Turkana. As you crest the ridge overlooking the lake, its shimmering jade surface stretches into infinity, framed by volcanic escarpments and barren shores. This is the edge of the world, raw and mesmerizing. You settle near the lake, where the wind whistles across black basalt rocks and ancient waves wash against prehistoric landscapes.
Day 7: Exploring Lake Turkana – Desert Shores & Ancient Worlds
Your seventh day is dedicated to exploring the evocative shores of the Jade Sea. The lake’s powerful presence is matched by its rich archaeological heritage; the surrounding region is part of the cradle of humankind. Rock formations, petrified forests, and fossil-bearing outcrops speak to a distant past. Fishermen from the Turkana community guide their boats along the lake’s waves, offering glimpses into traditional livelihoods shaped by harsh yet beautiful surroundings.
Day 8: Turkana Cultural Immersion – Life at the Edge of a Desert Lake
Today you experience the cultural heart of Turkana, meeting communities whose traditions are as resilient as the landscape they inhabit. Intricate beadwork, towering hairstyles, and age-old rituals reflect centuries of desert adaptation. Conversations with elders bring stories of migration, survival, and beliefs deeply intertwined with the lake. As the afternoon light warms the horizon, Lake Turkana glows jade and bronze, creating unforgettable visual poetry.
Day 9: Turkana to Loiyangalani – Wind, Stone & Desert Villages
Journeying south along the lake’s edge, you arrive in Loiyangalani, a settlement whose name means “place of many trees.” Here the contrast between desert winds and lake breezes shapes daily life. You explore rocky landscapes, hot springs, and clusters of dwellings that tell stories of nomadic heritage. Evening settles with the soft hum of wind sweeping through palms and the peaceful solitude of desert life.
Day 10: Loiyangalani to Samburu – Through Desert Routes to Savannah
Your return journey leads you back through the desert plains, past volcanic pillars and wind-carved dunes, gradually transitioning into the savannah landscapes of Samburu. Along the route, camel caravans and herding families appear like moving silhouettes against the sky. Arriving in Samburu, the familiar wildlife and riverine forests form a gentle re-entry into Kenya’s classic safari world before the expedition concludes.
Day 11: Sunrise in Samburu & Return to Nairobi – Farewell to the North
Your final morning opens with a quiet sunrise over Samburu’s rugged hills, a moment of stillness after days of adventure. After breakfast, you travel back to Nairobi, carrying with you memories of deserts, volcanic lakes, ancient cultures, and the raw, untouched power of Kenya’s northern frontier. This journey into the Hidden North leaves a deep imprint—one of awe, humility, and connection to the land.
Tour Includes
- Safari Park fees
- All Tour activities
- All Tour accommodation
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation ( To & From )
- All Taxes/VAT
- Everyday Meals ( As specified )
- Drinking water ( On all days )
Tour Excludes
- International flights ( From / to home )
- Additional Accommodation
- Tips
- Personal items(Souvenirs, etc.)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Gov increase of taxes and/or park fees
Inquiry Form: 11 Days Hidden North Expedition – Lake Turkana
Start your journey today by filling out the form below. Share your travel dates, interests, and preferences, and our team at Lifepath Safaris Africa will design a personalized safari just for you. From gorilla trekking to Big Five game drives, we’ll tailor every detail to create your perfect East African adventure.
Why Travel with Us
Locally Rooted, Expertly Guided
Lifepath Safaris is proudly Ugandan — founded, guided, and managed by locals who know East Africa beyond maps. Our guides are storytellers, naturalists, and cultural ambassadors with years of experience leading safaris across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Authentic, Tailor-Made Experiences
We believe no two travelers are the same, and neither should their safaris be. Lifepath Safaris specializes in custom-designed itineraries — from luxury fly-in gorilla treks and Big Five safaris to cultural encounters, honeymoon getaways, and family adventures. Every detail — from lodge selection to pacing — is tailored around your interests, comfort, and sense of adventure.
Conservation with Heart
Our safaris are guided by a deep respect for nature and the communities who protect it. Lifepath Safaris actively supports eco-conscious lodges, community tourism projects, and local conservation initiatives that sustain wildlife habitats. When you travel with us, your journey contributes directly to protecting Uganda’s gorillas, elephants, and the incredible ecosystems that make Africa thrive.
Safety, Trust & Personalized Care
Your safety and comfort are our top priorities. Our team follows strict operational standards, uses well-maintained vehicles, and partners only with trusted lodges and camps. You’ll have 24/7 local support and personalized assistance from the moment you inquire to the day you return home — because at Lifepath, every traveler is family.