Northern Conservancies

Did you know that in the northern part of Kenya, there are some very special, lesser-known parks? Abundant wildlife and beautiful savannahs await! There are three places in the north that we recommend for safari. Ol Pejeta Conservancy, perhaps the most successful on the continent. Samburu Reserve, where you can spot the Samburu 5, and a hidden gem that is often forgotten: Meru National Park!

Ol Pejeta

Ol Pejeta was originally a cattle ranch, but completely changed its business model at the end of the twentieth century by developing a successful safari product. Now privately owned, it is known as one of the most successful conservancies! In addition to the classic game drive safari, you can do a variety of other safari-related activities here.

Samburu Wildlife Reserve

Remote and therefore still largely untouched by tourists: Samburu Wildlife Reserve. This park exudes serenity like no other. In peaceful surroundings, you can spot a diverse range of wildlife and explore stunning landscapes. In Samburu National Park, you’ll find large predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as some rare Northern Kenyan species such as the Grevy’s zebra, the Somali ostrich, and the gerenuk. Additionally, it’s the place to be for bird lovers!

The Butterfly People

Raw, diverse, and colorful! Embark on an adventurous hike through the rainforest with Samburu warriors, enjoying stunning views along the way. The Samburu are a nomadic tribe in northern Kenya, closely related to the Maasai. They primarily rely on pastoralism, raising cattle, goats, sheep, and even camels. The people are also known as “The Butterfly People” because of their brightly colored clothing and jewelry.

3 to 5 days of hiking

The Samburu Trek offers a 3-5 day adventure, during which you’ll journey through the rainforest towards Kirisia. You’ll be treated to magnificent views of vast plains stretching as far as the eye can see, along with special camping spots. Keep your eyes peeled, as you might have the chance to encounter wildlife within the forest! As you ascend a rock jutting out from the jungle, you’ll witness an awe-inspiring Lion King sunset before setting up your tent for the night.

Lewaso Conservancy

You can extend the trek with a thrilling ride on the back of a moped towards Lewaso Conservancy, where you’ll have the opportunity to spot an abundance of wildlife. Afterward, you can wash off the dust from your adventure with a tubing excursion on a motorcycle tire along Kenya’s Ewaso Ng’iro River. This river flows through several arid landscapes, serving as a crucial water source for both wildlife and local communities.

Meru National Park

Meru National Park, located 348 km away from Nairobi, offers a unique experience due to its relative obscurity compared to the bustling Masai Mara. It features diverse landscapes, ranging from wide-open plains to numerous rivers and lush forests. Similar to Samburu National Park, Meru is home to large predators and an abundance of bird species.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR OUR AFRICA EXPERTS?

View more unique experiences

Discover the mystical Aberdares in Kenya

Are you looking for a quiet, mystical, green place in Kenya where you can enjoy endless hiking, mountain climbing and fishing? Aberdare National Park is definitely worth exploring. The park is located about 180 kilometers from Nairobi, so you can get there in a few hours. Let us take you to the immense beauty of this ultra green area.

Discover off-the-beaten-track Samburu with Charlie’s Travels

Are you traveling in Kenya and have you had enough of the hordes of tourists dressed in khaki? Are you looking for a great experience, far away from the beaten track? Then Samburu, in the north of Kenya, is a place you don't want to miss.  Samburu is a little further away from the usual tourist routes, so you will encounter few other tourists here. Samburu is rugged, unspoilt and chill. You will find the Samburu tribe, a semi-nomadic people who still live here. This area also offers spectacular landscapes, from rugged hills and dry riverbeds to savannas and forests. And you will find flora and fauna that you won't find anywhere else, such as the Grevy's zebra. Very cool. These are Samburu’s highlights:

Rukinga Conservancy

Rukina Conservancy, an adventurous paradise between the more famous Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park. With 74,000 hectares full of elephants, cheetahs, lions and even wild dogs, this is the place to be for a magical safari, where you are surrounded by the iconic red earth and dust.

Discover the mystical Aberdares in Kenya

Are you looking for a quiet, mystical, green place in Kenya where you can enjoy endless hiking, mountain climbing and fishing? Aberdare National Park is definitely worth exploring. The park is located about 180 kilometers from Nairobi, so you can get there in a few hours. Let us take you to the immense beauty of this ultra green area.

Discover off-the-beaten-track Samburu with Charlie’s Travels

Are you traveling in Kenya and have you had enough of the hordes of tourists dressed in khaki? Are you looking for a great experience, far away from the beaten track? Then Samburu, in the north of Kenya, is a place you don't want to miss.  Samburu is a little further away from the usual tourist routes, so you will encounter few other tourists here. Samburu is rugged, unspoilt and chill. You will find the Samburu tribe, a semi-nomadic people who still live here. This area also offers spectacular landscapes, from rugged hills and dry riverbeds to savannas and forests. And you will find flora and fauna that you won't find anywhere else, such as the Grevy's zebra. Very cool. These are Samburu’s highlights:

Rukinga Conservancy

Rukina Conservancy, an adventurous paradise between the more famous Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park. With 74,000 hectares full of elephants, cheetahs, lions and even wild dogs, this is the place to be for a magical safari, where you are surrounded by the iconic red earth and dust.

Chyulu Hills: The hidden gem between Amboseli and Tsavo

The Chyulu Hills are a hidden gem nestled between Amboseli and Tsavo in Kenya. At an altitude of 2,188 meters, you'll be treated to stunning views of hills, volcanic craters, and solidified lava flows. This region is renowned for its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. The perfect ingredients for a unique experience, if you ask us!

Kayaking in Magadi

Imagine this: four days in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and a brief escape from all the tourists. This is truly off the beaten track! Paddling with a kayak from campsite to campsite, guided by someone who can safely lead the way, and camping amidst wildlife. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Mara Morijo Trails

Are you a true adventurer and fancy an adventure deep in the bush of Kenya? Then our unique experience Mara Morijo Trails is just the thing for you. During this adventure, you will not only get to know the beautiful nature of Kenya, but you will also get a delicious taste of culture.

Why travel with Charlie’s Travels?

We are “On the ground” in africa

The team lives and works all over Africa and therefore has a lot of first-hand knowledge and experience.

We develop our own routes

Wherever Charlie and his team travel, they develop new routes and experiences together with local entrepreneurs.

Every trip is co-creation

We tailor each trip based on your wishes and our African knowledge. Everything is possible and nothing is too crazy! Give us a try?

We work in a responsible and sustainable way

Charlie’s Travels works together with local partners and contributes to CO2 projects to offset environmental pollution.