Once you’ve been transferred from the airstrip to the lodge, you will not set foot in a vehicle again until you leave.
Location: Kitich Camp is tucked away in the remote Mathews Range in northern Kenya, within the lush and little-visited Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. This ancient forested landscape feels worlds away from the open savannahs of the Mara - think green valleys, crystal-clear mountain streams, and soaring cycads beneath towering peaks. It’s wild, off-the-beaten-track Kenya at its most magical, offering an experience that’s more about slow safari, nature immersion, and cultural connection than chasing big game.
Rooms: The camp has just six rustic yet charming canvas tents, all set under a thick canopy of indigenous forest. Each tent is comfortably furnished with double or twin beds, solar lighting, and en-suite bathrooms with traditional safari-style bucket showers and flush loos. Wooden decks look out over the forest, often with sightings of elephant, bushbuck, or monkeys passing quietly below. It’s all incredibly peaceful, with the sounds of birdsong and the trickling river adding to the deep sense of seclusion.
Amenities: Kitich Camp offers a warm, homely atmosphere with a focus on simplicity and authentic hospitality. The central lounge and dining area is cosy and candlelit, with log fires and armchairs where guests can relax, chat, or enjoy a drink before dinner. Meals are freshly prepared and often served al fresco under the stars or by the riverbank, depending on the weather. There’s no Wi-Fi and very limited signal, which is all part of the charm - it’s a digital detox designed to help you fully tune in to the rhythms of the wild.
Activities: This is not a traditional vehicle-based safari - instead, it’s all about guided walking safaris, forest bathing, swimming in rock pools, and quietly observing nature at close quarters. Expert Samburu guides share their incredible knowledge of the forest’s flora and fauna, from butterflies and birds to elephants and leopard tracks. There’s also the chance to visit nearby Samburu communities, offering a meaningful insight into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations. The pace is gentle, but the experience is deeply enriching.
Sustainability: Kitich Camp is a model of low-impact, community-based tourism. It's entirely solar-powered, uses eco-friendly waste systems, and sources ingredients locally whenever possible. More importantly, the camp is operated in partnership with the local community through the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, which ensures that a significant portion of revenue supports conservation efforts and provides livelihoods for the Samburu people. A stay here directly contributes to protecting this rare forest ecosystem and supporting one of Kenya’s most successful community conservation models.
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Best places to stay in Laikipia
Laikipia Trip Inspiration
When to visit Kenya
Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.
February
February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.
March
Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.
April
April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.
May
The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.
June
June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.
July
July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.
August
The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.
September
Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.
October
October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.
November
November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.
December
The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.
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Alistair
Ottilie
