Laikipia Wilderness Mobile Walking Safari

In the heart of Kenya, the Laikipia Plateau has all the ingredients for a top class walking destination. It has an average elevation of 2000m – not high enough to leave you breathless, but perfect temperatures for expeditions on foot. Shaped by volcanic forces, the terrain is varied, with plenty of rocky hills and wooded valleys and reliable water sources, fed from the moorland slopes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range, give Laikipia a wealth of wildlife. That animal life can be surprising because the area is a transitional zone between the vast grasslands found in the Mara/Serengeti ecosystem to the south and the arid lands to the north. Walkers spot local specials such as the reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Günther's dik-dik, Grévy’s zebra and squadrons of gorgeous vulturine guineafowl.

Importantly, the land is mostly in private conservancies, so walks are allowed, and there are excellent guides working in the area. With all of these advantages, it’s easy to see why it is Kenya’s most popular area for walking safaris, and most lodges and camps in the area offer guided walks as an alternative to a game drive. In addition, there are several multi-day walk operations, mobile safaris supported by camel caravans or vehicle.

Laikipia Wilderness Camp is on a ridge top in a remote area in the west of the plateau, close to the Ewaso Narok river. Walks are available as an alternative to (or during) a game drive and with 70,000 acres of safari territory to explore, multi-day walking with overnighting at fly-camps is a wonderful experience.

Mobile safari guests spend their first and last night at base camp and trail nights at a fly camp, relocated each day by vehicle. The standard format has a minimum of three nights in the wilds, although with the huge and diverse area available, this can easily be extended.

Read more in this news blog.

Day 1- Arrive at Laikipia Wilderness Camp for meet and greet, & stay one night and get ready for the next day.

Day 2 - Drop off on the Northern end of Ngorare ranch.

The habitat here is not dissimilar to the Mara; flat open plains, yellow fever tree forests snaking along a small river, and plenty of Thompson's gazelles and spotted hyenas.

Walk to a picnic lunch spot and rest until the afternoon before walking along the tree-lined river to a ready set-up mobile camp with bucket showers and long drop loos. The tents are mozzie-proof and designed for both privacy and stargazing through the light mosquito net on the roof. The first camp is situated in a yellow fever tree grove with fire-cooked meals and cold drinks.

Day 3 - Second day on Ngorare, walking across the whistling thorn stunted forest, typical of black cotton soils. then cross over into the Mutara river valley on Ol Donyo Lomboro. The river valley drops down from the Laikipia plateau providing beautiful views of the stunning landscape. Rocky outcrops and caper forests dot the landscape and there's a chance to spot a leopard at rest in an ancient Boscia (Shepherd's) tree. 

Day 4 - Continue walking down the gorgeous river valley as it continues to widen and climb some of the rocky kopjes that line the horizon. Cooling river swims are an option where it is safe to do so.

Day 5 - Walk back into Laikipia Wilderness Camp along the Ewaso Narok in a much more dry habitat. The landscape flattens and opens up as the bigger river snakes through the landscape. Camp can be seen on the top of its beautiful rocky hill, and then enjoy the luxuries of Laikipia Wilderness for the final night.

Each evening a vehicle is based in camp and available for night drives. 

The camp is set up with bedrolls laid on stretchers inside mozzie-proof dome tents. There is a bathroom tent with a long drop toilet and a shower tent with a bucket shower and soap.

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Activities

• Conservancy fees