Rift Valley Flight
Take a scenic flight up the Rift Valley, with freedom to explore the untamed landscapes of the Turkana region.
Fly north by private helicopter, exploring one of Africa’s most dramatic and least explored landscapes. Discover the volcanic beauty of Lake Turkana, hidden in a remote corner of Kenya.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Lobolo Camp
Stay at the remarkably comfortable Lobolo Camp, on the shores of the lake.
Central Island National Park
Take a boat trip to explore volcanic Central Island National Park.
Ol Malo Conservancy
Spend several days exploring the Ol Malo Conservancy, staying at the beautiful lodge.
Why Steppes?
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Why we like it
Lake Turkana has a fearsome, but alluring reputation. To many, it remains Kenya’s final frontier. However, with the freedom of a private helicopter and the comfort of Lobolo Camp, this trip makes the most of the dramatic landscapes, without the discomfort that the region was long associated with.
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Day 1
Nairobi - Ol Malo
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Day 2 - 3
Ol Malo
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Day 4
Ol Malo - Lake Turkana
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Day 5
Lake Turkana
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Day 6
Lake Turkana - Laikipia
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Day 7
Laikipia - Nairobi
Day 1
Nairobi - Ol Malo
Day 2 - 3
Ol Malo
Ol Malo Conservancy
Spend several days exploring the Ol Malo Conservancy, staying at the beautiful lodge.
Day 4
Ol Malo - Lake Turkana
Rift Valley Flight
Take a scenic flight up the Rift Valley, with freedom to explore the untamed landscapes of the Turkana region.
Day 5
Lake Turkana
Lobolo Camp
Stay at the remarkably comfortable Lobolo Camp, on the shores of the lake.
Day 6
Lake Turkana - Laikipia
Central Island National Park
Take a boat trip to explore volcanic Central Island National Park.
Day 7
Laikipia - Nairobi
More Details
Explore Laikipia
Begin with several days staying at Ol Malo, a beautiful lodge that sits on the edge of a rocky plateau, looking out over miles of conservancy land. Here, explore the rugged Laikipian landscape on game drives and on foot. Big cats are elusive amongst the low woodland, but the area is home to numbers of elephants, giraffes and antelope species.
But Ol Malo is about much more than wildlife. Take advantage of the activities on offer, which include horse riding, camel walks, mountain biking, visiting a local Samburu manyatta, sleeping out under the stars and fly camping. The schedule is flexible and relaxed, allowing you to do what you want, when you want to.
Journey North
After several nights at Ol Malo, fly north by private helicopter, piloted by Andrew, Ol Malo’s manager and a trained pilot. With five hours to explore the landscape, this is a scenic flight. Follow the Rift Valley north, as the landscape changes dramatically. Watch in awe as the volcanic beauty of the Turkana region unfolds below, and the vast Jade Sea appears on the horizon.
Helicopter Adventures
With a private helicopter at your disposal, the schedule is flexible and exploration is encouraged. Stop en route beside craters or salt lakes, swoop low over the waters of the lake, hover above frozen lava flows and explore the empty scrublands that disappear towards Uganda.
Lobolo Camp
Eventually, arrive at the comfortable Lobolo Camp – a tented idyll that is simple, but modern. In the evening, watch local dancers as they tramp across the beach’s white sands, beating a frenetic rhythm. Turkana dances are fascinating to watch – a bizarre combination of flirtation and ferocity.
Central Island National Park
The following day, use this as a base to explore the lake, taking another scenic flight over the seemingly endless waters, as well as a boat trip to Central Island National Park. This curious island is made up of three collapsed craters, each one filled with a small lake – itself home to giant crocodiles and shoals of tilapia.
Finally, fly back south, leaving this unforgettable landscape behind. Spend a night at Ol Malo, to break the journey, before trading rotors for a fixed wing and heading home.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Ol Malo Conservancy maintains a longstanding partnership with the Samburu Trust, which is dedicated to securing the future of the Samburu people and preserving their ancestral lands. Founded in 2000, the trust encourages community empowerment through equal opportunities in education, improved healthcare and sanitation, and employment and skills training. Much of this work is funded through cultural immersion activities offered to guests at the conservancy.
The Samburu Trust delivers essential healthcare to the communities of Ol Malo, with emergency medical assistance available free of charge, and the Trust Burns Room which provides basic first aid and coordinates medical evacuations if necessary. The Trust has successful eradicated trachoma, a disease which causes eye pain and blindness, from the Samburu community, restoring eyesight to over 500 individuals and preventing blindless in many more.
Central Island National Park, located in Kenya’s Lake Turkana, is a unique ecosystem and designated Important Bird Area, hosting over 350 bird species. It serves as a vital stopover for migratory birds between March and May. The island’s crater lakes support one of the world’s largest breeding populations of Nile crocodiles and harbour endemic fish species. Tourism to the island helps fund conservation efforts, protecting rare biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £10,005 Per person
When to travel
Kenya in January
The hottest month across much of the country, and an excellent time to spot wildlife with lower visitor numbers. The seas are at their clearest, the landscape is still lush, but it is dry and sunny in general.
Kenya in February
The high temperatures continue, and it remains virtually dry, but the landscape should still be fairly green. Conditions are still excellent for wildlife viewing, with lower visitor numbers.
Kenya in March
The start of the main rainy season, but still good for wildlife viewing with the chance to see newborns.
Kenya in April
This is not the ideal time to travel. Some lodges close as the rainy season gets into full swing. Roads can be treacherous, and the coast becomes very hot and wet.
Kenya in May
May is the height of the rainy season and so many places will be closed with driving conditions becoming poor due to the heavy rainfall.
Kenya in June
The rains start to abate, and the landscape is as green and lush as it gets. This does make spotting wildlife a little trickier, but it is a beautiful time across the country.
Kenya in July
The start of the mass migration into the Masai Mara. Dry weather dominates across the country, with the occasional shower. This is the coolest month, with visitor numbers increasing.
Kenya in August
This is peak season in Kenya, especially in the Masai Mara, where it is the peak of the Great Migration. Exceptional game viewing is possible as animals congregate around watering holes and rivers.
Kenya in September
The weather remains dry, and there are still fantastic opportunities for game viewing in the Masai Mara as wildlife gathers around watering holes.
Kenya in October
As the temperatures rise, so does the chance of a shower or two. The herds of wildlife begin to leave the Masai Mara, but plenty of residents can still be seen. Visitor numbers are lower and it is a great time to visit across the country.
Kenya in November
The start of the short rainy season, as temperatures continue to increase. Many destinations are open, but around Laikipia, places close at this time.
Kenya in December
The end of the year brings the peak of the short rainy season. Hot and wet conditions dominate, but the scenery is beautiful and green, and there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen.
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