Part one of the expedition delivers you into the expert hands of, Steve and Annabelle Carey, owners of Laikipia Wilderness Camp and experts in this type of safari. Walking is the camp speciality where you can arrange anything from a half-day jaunt out of camp to a full multi-day mobile safari. Walking safaris in Kenya and especially in this area are sublime - being on private land you can do whatever you host permits including walking, swimming and fishing. The feeling of freedom is palpable. 

The wildlife in this part of Kenya is stunning with appearances from many of the star attractions; lion, leopard, elephant, wild dog and buffalo. 

During the three nights staying at Laikipia Wilderness Camp you will have the opportunity to walk out of camp to a beautiful spot where you'll find everything you'll need for a night sleeping out under the stars. Excellent preparation for the nights to come. 

An endangered Grévy's zebra - a desert specialist surviving on the semi-arid grasslands in Northern Kenya with isolated populations also in Ethiopia. 

Current estimates are not more than 2,700 are left in the wild, 120 in Ethiopia and the remainder in Northern Kenya - by contrast there are approximately twice as many critically endangered Black rhino in Africa. 

Grévy's zebra are the largest living wild equid and can survive five days without water. 

After driving north to Loinginlani and setting up camp on the shores of Lake Turkana. Pictured you'll see the camp and the "safe" swimming area - inexplicably, yet reliably, free from crocodiles.  

"As the stars brightened, we lined up camp beds on the beach and wriggled into our covers." 

Financial Times

On arrival in camp, we headed straight for the cool, jade waters of Lake Turkana, all the children shreiking with excitement after our journey from Laikipia. Local fisherman watched on. 

At the entrance to Sibiloi National Park, there is a sign that says "Welcome to the Cradle of Mankind" and in the absence of any people, there is a real sense of wild obscurity. The landscape is characterised as semi desert and is the home to archaeological sites that have contributed more to the understanding of human evolution than any other site on the continent. 

The two expedition vehicles traversing the Chalbi desert, East Africa’s only true desert - the sandy floor of an ancient mega-lake. Chalbi means Salt in the local Gabra dialect and much it is covered with a thin white salt crust.

As the journey went on the four boys had become expert riders of the 4x4 and knew better than to ask if we were nearly there yet.   

Marsabit Crater Lake – the black specs on the far side are a herd of buffalo. Although rarely visited Marsabit National Park is very beautiful and, did you know... was the location of Africa’s first ever wildlife documentary,  shot by Osa & Martin Johnson between 1924 and 1927. 

This area is beautifully green and the lush grass attracts large herds of elephant and buffalo. Photographed from the sky, you'll see this large herd grazing on the shores of Marsabit Crater Lake. 

"Our travelling had changed us all; we were fit from walking, quick to notice, unbothered by bugs and intrigued by the bush, not fearful of it. Taking turns on the shaded side of the vehicle and sleeping out were natural now. We were accustomed to the gulfs of the night, to the yelps of jackals and the yodels of hyenas, to the day rising in crimson and silver, to exchanging night stories around the morning fire."

Financial Times 

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