| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 77 | 50 | 2.30 |
| Feb | 80 | 51 | 2.00 |
| Mar | 80 | 53 | 3.60 |
| Apr | 77 | 56 | 9.50 |
| May | 74 | 53 | 7.50 |
| Jun | 72 | 50 | 1.50 |
| Jul | 71 | 48 | 0.70 |
| Aug | 72 | 48 | 0.90 |
| Sep | 77 | 49 | 1.20 |
| Oct | 78 | 52 | 2.40 |
| Nov | 75 | 54 | 5.90 |
| Dec | 75 | 53 | 4.20 |
The Samburu tribesman stood beneath an acacia tree, watching his goats and waiting for us to walk to his bit of shade. I admired his beaded necklace, and through our translator he traded it for my watch.
The night sky cloaks Laikipia Plateau in intense blackness. The only illumination comes from the lanterns at the foot of our tents. Then the stars start to flicker, and Kenya's nocturnal drama begins to unfold. A hyena whoops, eerily close to camp. Low growls and a series of sharp barks resonate from beyond. We listen intently, but don't react. We're bushed. Today's trek across an acacia-studded plain was the longest yet. (Even the camels, loaded with our equipment, seemed relieved when we stopped to set up camp.) But our efforts paid off: the game viewing was exceptional. All around us, herds of Grevy's zebra foraged for tender vegetation and prides of lions scanned the horizon, looking for the weak and the young, even a black rhino rolled in the ruddy dust. The frontier is abundant with wildlife.
"I'm compelled to break new territory," proclaims Toby Fenwick-Wilson, explaining why he recently walked 350 miles on a solo quest through the deserts of Northern Kenya. Toby's expertise in the bush and its tribal cultures comes from a strong academic background, combined with 15 years of leading safaris.
Today, your flight arrives in Nairobi. Upon arrival and after clearing customs and immigration formalities, you will be met by an Abercrombie & Kent representative and transferred to the historic Norfolk Hotel.
First opened on Christmas Day, 1904, this famous colonial landmark has welcomed such adventurous visitors as Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark - all of whom have all been a part of its romantic history.
Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure to relax after your long journey.
Norfolk HotelEarly this morning you will be transferred to the Wilson Airport where you will board your scheduled flight to the northern bush airstrip of Lewa Downs, the gateway to the Laikipia Plateau and the Northern Frontier.
The Laikipia region is a broad swathe of game rich grasslands and hills that reach Mount Kenya to one side and the wild deserts on the north to the other. Outside of the Maasai Mara, Laikipia can boast the greatest wildlife experiences in Kenya.
Your destination is Borana Lodge, a wonderful one and a half hours game drive in custom built safari vehicles from your landing strip. You’ll traverse the wildlife heavy savannah of Lewa before climbing up the dramatic Mokagodo escarpment.
Set on the edge of this fabulous rise overlooking a large watering hole and dam is Borana Lodge. This will be your base for the next few days and under the charge of Charlie and Olivia Burrows, a better location or more suitable home from home in the middle of the bush would be hard to find. You will stay in your own private cottage made from locally hewn stone, olive trees pushed over by elephants and the great imagination of the Dyer family.
The lodge is named after the large private conservancy that it is located on. Having originally started the area as a cattle concern they all but hunted out the animals in the early days, as was typical for the era. In the last twenty years they have turned their energy to conservation and are now one of the country’s great success stories. They have a thriving predator population, copious herds of elephant and a plethora of plains game and smaller beasts.
Borana Lodge B L DThe game viewing in this region really is exceptional and you will have opportunities on each day to go out and observe it both in custom built safari vehicles and on foot. You’ll also have a string of home reared ponies that are another wonderful way to explore the bush. Horses are available to suit all riding standards, including some very fiery polo ponies for those that are particularly proficient.
One of the really magic qualities of Borana is that the ranch is an accredited member of the Eco Tourism Society of Kenya, is certified organic and it plays an extremely active role in regional conservation. Michael Dyer, the oldest son, spends much of his time working with community development initiatives on health, education and environmental initiatives.
While at Borana, some very special activities have been arranged. The 10 to 4 Mountain Bike Challenge on Mount Kenya This is a downhill, cavalry charge on mountain bikes from 10,000 ft up on the shoulder of Mount Kenya to the 4000ft semi-desert of lower Borana in the space of a few nail biting hours.
Early in the morning you will be driven up the mountain by safari vehicle to the 10,000ft starting point of our Mount Kenya Schuss. With the option of a quick slug of Dutch courage, you’ll then set off down the steep slopes of the mountain, over moorland, through the high altitude farming district of Kisima, through the other worldly, elephant thick primary forests of the Ngare Ndare, to eventually pop out of the woods in to the dry savannah bush of the Borana Conservancy, ending up at a spot on a small river where the water tumbles over rocks. Here you’ll find the most delicious picnic lunch set for you and jumping off the rocks in to the cooling waters of the river pools will be just the refreshment you’ll want after your helter-skelter ride. (We’ll of course provide helmets for you when riding).
Borana Lodge B L DThis morning after breakfast, transfer overland to the Nandanguru Plain, where you meet your guide and Kerukki tribesmen to begin trekking through the Northern Frontier tribal lands.
Over the next three days you will traverse on foot and on camelback through a variety of ecosystems, learning about the regional animals, the flora and fauna and the local Maasai culture.
Camel Trek/Mobile Camping B L DArrive in the evening at Tassia in the heart of Il Kerrukki tribal homeland. Tassia gently sprawls over a rocky bluff with a magnificent view over the surrounding Northern Kenya plains and hills. You’re sure to appreciate the opportunity to have a day resting in a lovely environment.
The area offers treks through unspoiled and uninhabited bush, climbs in the Tassia Lugga or swims in pools under waterfalls when the river flows following rain.
Tassia Lodge B L DToday you bid farewell to your lodge staff and the friends you have made as you are transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Nairobi. On arrival you are met and transferred to the Carnivore for a late lunch. The Carnivore is, as the name suggests, a meat eater’s paradise. There is also an extensive vegetarian menu available for ‘herbivores’.
After lunch a dayroom has been reserved for your comfort and convenience until your late evening transfer to the airport.
This evening you are transferred to the airport where you will board your international homebound flight.
Norfolk Hotel (Dayroom) B L
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