Kenya’s remote Northern Frontier is a wilderness like no other. Walking its incomparable desert and mountain landscapes on a camel-supported trek guided by legendary conservationist Helen Douglas-Dufresne and her trusty Samburu team is a rare and humbling privilege, offering the opportunity to disconnect completely from the modern world and reconnect with a self you may have thought you had lost.
The climate is mostly hot and dry, with rains usually expected from April to May and in October/November. Do note that the seasonal rivers known locally as luggas are susceptible to flash floods in the rainy seasons.
Price depends on the experiences and accommodation included, and your time of travel. It is based on two adults travelling for 13 nights and does not include international flights.
1 night in Nairobi, 3 nights in the Mathews Ranges, 6 nights mobile camping in the Milgis, 3 nights on Diani Beach
What makes this Kenya safari special?
- Experience untamed Africa as you explore northern Kenya’s remote and savagely beautiful landscapes on a camel-supported trek with legendary guide Helen Douglas-Dufresne
- Deeply authentic cultural exchanges with Kenya’s wonderful Samburu, Rendille and Turkana communities
- Encounters with forest elephants and colobus monkeys in the sacred forests of the Mathews Ranges
- Bury your toes in the white powder sands of a barefoot luxury hideaway by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean
Your luxury Kenya safari itinerary
A serene beginning
NAIROBI
Find your East African feet amid the polished hush of Hemingway’s at the foot of Nairobi’s Ngong Hills. It’s the perfect place to recover from any jet lag and away from the noise and hustle of the Kenyan capital. Before you explore further afield, spare a few moments to enjoy Nairobi’s sights. The Karen Blixen Museum, made famous from award-winning film Out of Africa, is worth a visit, as is the nearby David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which hand-rears orphaned elephants and rhinos, rehabilitating them to re-enter the wild.
Singing wells and sacred forests
MATHEWS RANGES
From Nairobi, fly north to the Mathews Ranges, whose forested peaks rise like islands above the arid savannah below—the perfect introduction to northern Kenya. Remote and untouched, this sanctuary offers clear streams, sacred forests alive with elephants and rare colobus monkeys, all embellished by the beautiful and disarmingly hospitable Samburu people who call this area home. Kitich Forest Camp is an idyllic place to call home while you explore, whether that’s wild swimming in a crystal clear rock pool, fly-fishing or enjoying a delicious forest picnic. Come in the dry season, and there’s a great chance you’ll be able to witness the magic of Samburu cattle herders creating a ‘singing well’ as they dig a dry riverbed in search of water for their cattle.
Timeless exploration
THE MILGIS
Embarking on a camel-supported trek through northern Kenya’s spectacular Milgis Lugga with guide extraordinaire Helen Douglas-Dufresne is a full-blooded immersion into one of Africa’s last great wildernesses. Each journey is tailored to your fitness and interests, with daily walks typically five to twelve miles in length. Camels carry the camp, their steady rhythm recalling centuries of nomadic tradition, while the Samburu people guide and host, sharing their deep ancestral knowledge of the land, wildlife and their culture. Though remote, comfort is paramount. Fly camps are pitched each evening—simply yet thoughtfully put together, offering shelter, warmth and style in the wild. Evenings might mean a stroll towards a cinematic hilltop sundowner, a spirited game of football with the Samburu, or simply gathering by the fire as dinner is prepared beneath a million stars. Falling asleep to the sounds of camel bells and the bush—a twig snapping, a lion’s roar—you are reminded just how fortunate you are to be able to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature in its purest form.
Kick off your shoes
DIANI BEACH
After your epic walk through the Milgis, you deserve a little down time, and Kinondo Kwetu by the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean coast is the perfect place to do so. For those who want to stay active, there are horse rides along the beach, kitesurfing, paddleboarding and deep-sea fishing to enjoy, while divers and snorkelers can explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. If that all sounds like too much effort, then kick off your shoes and enjoy long beach walks on the white powder sand, sunset dhow trips and yoga sessions beneath the whispering palms, before unwinding with a spa ritual and a fresh-caught seafood dinner beneath the stars.
Where you'll stay
Great journeys need great places to lay your head. These are our tried and tested suggestions.
Hemingway’s Nairobi
Located in Nairobi’s quiet Karen district, Hemingways exudes a sophisticated colonial-style elegance with contemporary luxuries: think soaring ceilings, hand-crafted mahogany furnishings and private balconies overlooking the Ngong Hills. The service is attentive without being intrusive—each guest is assigned a personal butler—and the restaurant turns out refined takes on local and international cuisine. Situated just 40 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta Airport, it makes a serene base for the start or end of a Kenya adventure, and a polished, peaceful retreat from the city’s sometimes frenetic energy.
Kitich Forest Camp
Hidden away in northern Kenya’s remote Mathews Ranges, Kitich Forest Camp offers a soulful, off-the-grid escape into one of Africa’s last wildernesses. With just six canvas tents pitched under a canopy of cedars, the camp offers simple comforts and authentic safari charm. Days begin with guided forest walks led by Samburu warriors and end with sundowners by the Ngeng River and candle-lit dinners. Elephants wander nearby, and colobus monkeys chatter in the trees. A stay at Kitich truly immerses you in the quiet magic of an untouched place.
Mobile Tented Camp
Carried by camels, and set and broken each day, the camps used on a trek through the immense landscapes surrounding Milgis in northern Kenya are simple but thoughtful affairs. Pitched in a shady setting, often in utterly spectacular locations, in time for lunch after your morning’s walk, they consist of comfortable mattresses under mosquito-proof nets, bush showers and delicious candle-lit meals and drinks served by your wonderful Samburu hosts beneath the stars. A laundry service can usually be provided in camp, depending on water availability.
Kinondo Kwetu
Set on a secluded stretch of Diani Beach on Kenya’s southern coast, Kinondo Kwetu is an intimate beachfront hideaway that feels more like a private home than a resort. Set amid baobabs and frangipani, its individually styled cottages and villas open onto unspoiled sands lapped by the Indian Ocean. Days drift between snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, dhow sailing and yoga beneath the trees. Thoughtful Swahili design, warm local staff and a deep connection to the surrounding community make it a soulful retreat that is the quintessence of Kenya beach chic.
Customise your Kenya safari journey
All of our journeys are fully bespoke, and can be customised to meet your needs, interests and preferences. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
Take a thrilling helicopter flight over Lake Turkana, or stay near its shores and explore this dramatic region by quadbike and boat.
Add a few days on safari in the Masai Mara – Alex Walker’s Serian Camps would complement this adventure wonderfully.
Visit the amazing Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in the Mathews Ranges, where orphaned and abandoned elephant calves are rescued.
Extend your time in the Milgis and get a first-hand experience of the important conservation and community work being undertaken by the Milgis Trust.
Swap the Kenya coast for the idyllic tropical beaches of the Seychelles.
Looking for more inspiration?
We have a huge range of inspiring private experiences and accommodation options available. Get in touch with our Kenya specialists.
ENQUIRELearn more about our luxury holidays, or call our expert Latin America team on +44 1367 850566 / 1-855-216-5040 (toll free) to discuss how we can turn your dreams into something truly magical.
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