North Kenya and Omo Valley Adventure
Led by top guide, Steve Carey, this adventure takes you through the heart of North Kenya and into the Omo Valley in Ethiopia, allowing you to explore the cultures and incredible terrains through Turkana and onwards.
Embark on the ultimate adventure through East Africa's wildest frontiers on our extraordinary Lake Turkana holiday. Led by legendary safari guide Steve Carey, you'll experience the raw, untamed beauty of northern Kenya and Ethiopia's Omo Valley like few have before.
This once-in-a-lifetime Turkana vacation takes you from the wildlife-rich savannas of Laikipia to the otherworldly Chalbi Desert and breathtaking Lake Turkana shores. Base yourself at our exclusive Turkana Safari Lodge in Sibiloi National Park to explore by boat, 4x4, and on foot. Encounter the ancient Dassenach tribe, fossil hunt, fish, and spot iconic wildlife.
What is most remarkable about this adventure is that we believe you'll be among the first group adventurers to cross from Kenya into Ethiopia's incredible Omo Valley at this specific location. Spend three days immersed in the traditional cultures of over 20 indigenous tribes virtually untouched by the modern world. Your Omo Valley tour promises a mesmerizingly unique journey.
With a team of seasoned explorers ensuring your comfort and safety, this isn't just a Turkana group tour, it's an expedition for the daring few. From navigating 4x4s in driving safaris to camping under starry East African skies, you'll experience the romance of the Golden Age of exploration.
Spaces are extremely limited for this boundary-pushing Kenya and Ethiopia tour visiting Sibiloi National Park. Don't miss your chance to join Steve Carey and our Far & Wild pioneers - book your bucket-list Lake Turkana holiday today!
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The itinerary…
Day 1: Saturday 28th September - Welcome to Kenya
Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi, where you will be met and transferred to the Tamarind Tree Hotel, with bed and breakfast included.
Day 2: Sunday 29th September - To Laikipia
Wilddog in Laikipia Wilderness
After breakfast, transfer to nearby Wilson Airport for the short flight to Laikipia Wilderness Palm Camp on the Laikipia Plateau near Mt Kenya. You will stay here for the next two nights with all meals, drinks and safari activities included.
Day 3: Monday 30th September - Laikipia Safari
The black leopard Giza
Full day for safari activities. Laikipia Wilderness is known worldwide for its regular sightings of Giza, the incredible black leopard of Laikipia.
In the evening we will have an expedition briefing with lead guide Steve Carey. Steve is in the top tier of guides working in Africa today. Originally from Zimbabwe, he has spent the last 15 years in northern Kenya – and has led a number of previous Turkana trips.
Day 4: Tuesday 1st October - Head North
Mt Ololokwe, gateway to the North
This morning you will drive past Mt Kenya, descending down to Samburu and ‘the big north’. This afternoon your mobile camp is positioned at the foot Mt Ololokwe, a giant rock monolith that stands sentinel at the gateway to Kenya’s wild north.
It is a beautiful place to spend our first night on the road and for the adventurous, a climb to the summit of Ololokwe is highly recommended.
Day 5: Wednesday 2nd October - Reteti and Marsabit
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
A short drive will get you to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary where you will have a privileged behind the scenes tour, after which we head off north to Marsabit.
Arrive late afternoon and enjoy a short game drive in the evening before sundowners at camp looking over Lake Marsabit.
Day 6: Thursday 3rd October - To the Chalbi Desert
Driving North
A 5 hour drive on good murrum roads and desert tracks will see you arrive at the Chalbi Desert in time for a late lunch, and the chance to relax in your new camp.
Day 7: Friday 4th October - To Sibiloi National Park
Exploring around Lake Turkana
Lake Turkana is in your sights. Today is the crux of the travel part of the expedition as you set off early, bound for Sibiloi N.P. and the lake.
This is an exciting day behind the wheel on little used dirt roads, and you will arrive in time for afternoon tea. Camp is set up in a beautiful location in a sandy river bed with trees near the lake. This will be your base for the next 3 nights as you explore the incredible Sibiloi region.
Day 8: Saturday 5th October - Sibiloi National Park
Sibiloi National Park
Today you have the chance to explore the area through walks, drives. You will check out the fossilised forest, have the chance to swim in some shallow water and fish.
Day 9: Sunday 6th October - Explore the Park
African Golden Wolf
You will continue to explore the incredible area, through walks and drives as you try and find the Golden Wolf or go out on the boat to explore and fish.
Day 10: Monday 7th October - Into Ethiopia
The Omo Valley
Breaking new ground. This morning you will head north to the Ethiopia border. Here you transfer into new Ethiopian registered 4x4’s and continue into the remarkable Omo Valley.
The Omo Valley region is home to some 20 or so distinct tribal groups that are among the least touched by modern life in the world, and certainly in Africa.
This afternoon you will meet the Nyangatom and Karo tribes-peoples before heading to the town of Turmi for a night in the pleasant Buska Lodge.
*Immigration formalities to leave Kenya will be taken care of before the start of the trip. Once in Ethiopia territory we will proceed to the town of Omorate where we will formally enter Ethiopia. The Ethiopian authorities will be notified in advance of our arrival and provided with all relevant documentation.
Day 11: Tuesday 8th October - The Omo Valley
Eco-Omo Lodge
This morning you visit a Hammer community before heading north to the market town of Key Afer in the early afternoon.
A busy market day at Key Afer is an amazing spectacle of colour, sound and energy as the many different tribal groups from the region (particularly the Kako, the Bana and the Hamer) come together to barter and trade.
In the mid-afternoon you will continue the short distance on to Jinka were you will stay overnight in the quirky Eco-Omo Lodge.
Day 12: Wednesday 9th October - Mago National Park and the Mursi Tribe
Mursi National Park
On your final day you make the beautiful drive down into the Mago National Park to visit a community of the fascinating Mursi tribe. Lip plates are a well known aspect of the Mursi, who are probably the last group in Africa for whom it is still the norm for women to wear large pottery plates, or wooden discs, in their lower lips.
Returning to Jinka you will visit the South Omo Research Center and Museum which provides an insightful overview of the many different tribal groups of the region.
Day 13: Thursday 10th October - To Addis and Home
A member of the Mari Tribe
Return to Addis via a roughly 1 hour flight, and connect with your international flight home, after an incredible journey through North Kenya and Ethiopia.
*Addis airport is well connected for regional flights, as well as direct flights to the US, UK and mainland Europe.
Duration: 13 Days
Location: Kenya, Africa
Price: £7690pp
This is a fully inclusive tour and is based on a minimum tour size of four, it includes;
The expedition equipped 4x4s and your internal flight in Kenya.
2 nights Laikipia Wilderness Camp, 6 nights expedition camping, 3 nights Omo Valley lodge accommodation.
All entrance fees are included.
As well as this initial recce tour date, there are further dates available; 8th March 2025 and 27th September 2025, both priced from £8,995 per person.
Other practicalities:
- The expedition will be comprised of 3 to 5 safari-equipped vehicles. One of these will be a logistics vehicle with all camp equipment (tents, camp beds, chairs tables, mess tent, provisions, and cookware).
- Get behind the wheel of a 4x4. 4x4 training will be provided at the start of the tour for any participants who wish to do any of the driving during the expedition. Please discuss this with our team at the time of booking if this is something you’d like to do.
- The maximum group size is 10 and the 2 tour leaders.
- You will be led by a Far & Wild Tour leader and local guides where appropriate.
- There is a moderate fitness rating on this trip.
Tailor this trip around your preferred dates, your budget and your ideas.
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