Laikipia’s Dedicated Trails Base

Karisia Walking Safaris offers walking safaris to suit all styles, from week-long mobile safaris to camp-based experiences. Using a camp as a base offers a high level of comfort and also makes it possible to include game drives in the daily mix. Generally walks are shorter than those on the mobile safaris.

The main base is Tumaren camp, which can sleep up to 14 guests in spacious tents. Unusually, the tents are open to the long side, providing an airy north African ambience, with views of wildlife at a salt lick nearby and the granite monolith, Loseramuru, in the distance. 

Alternatively, guests can book a satellite camp, which is established exclusively for the group. It's the same camping set-up as used for the mobile safaris, but it stays put for the duration. As well as the game viewing vehicle, camels are also on stand-by for those who want a taste of safari on camel-back.

Note that while Tumaren can sleep up to 14, activities are arranged such that there is no more than 8 guests in a walking group - a better experience for all.

Every Karisia experience is tuned to the interests and abilities of the guests and the weather conditions. There are no demands on walking distance or duration, and instead the emphasis is on simply being in nature, tracking wildlife and seeking out the finest viewpoints. 

Regardless of the style of experience - mobile or camp-based - the day always starts early with hot water basins to wash followed by a light breakfast. As the sun emerges on the horizon, guests set out with a guide and tracker. This is the time of day when animals are most active and it has the most comfortable walking conditions and excellent light for photography. Each morning, the ground shows evidence of fresh tracks, as the area has a rich diversity of game animals that includes Grevy's Zebra, gerenuk, African  wild dogs, reticulated giraffe and Highland Hartebeest. Big cats and elephant are also around, and the guide and tracker are skilled in making sure that there are no unplanned close encounters.  

There is no urgency on the walking pace, so plenty of time to pause to appreciate the small finds that make walking so interesting: the remains of the meal of an eagle owl, some unusual seedpods, or some of the archaeological artefacts like flints, shards, and pottery that litter the area. Normally a spot with a view is selected for a snack and rehydration, and then the walk returns to camp via a different route. 

As the day heats up, the camp provides shade and a delicious lunch with fresh ingredients. Guests can alternate siesta time with wildlife and bird-spotting from camp. Then, as the sun gets lower, guests gather again for a shorter walk or drive. Sundowners with a view of a Laikipia sunset provide some of the best moments of the day, and crepuscular animals might be spotted on the way back to camp. 

Hot showers and a three-course meal under the stars wrap up the day.

• Full board accommodation on safari with all drinks included
• Three Nights at Tumaren Camp
• Guides and camels for your safari
• Conservation and community fees
• Game drives at Tumaren

• Conservation and community fees - $100 per person
  per night
• Flying Doctor Membership (required US$ 20 per
  person)
• Gratuities to camp staff
• Travel Insurance
• Transfers