The Safari to Discover the wild North of Kenya the Land of Joy and George Adam

On this Kenya Safari, you will discover the wild North of Kenya the Land of Joy and George Adamson,

Itinerary:

Samburu, Shaba and Meru: They are fascinating wildlife areas at the doorstep of the remote region of nomadic tribes of the Northern Frontier Province.

Samburu is rugged and dry country, the Ewaso River and its tributaries display their green meanders of riverine forest. Meru is a savanna National Park, part of the domain made famous by the writings of Joy Adamson.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve: is located north of Nairobi, and was established in the 1970's. Samburu Reserve is 40 square miles in size; temperature during the day is hot, but tends to cool during the night.

Culturally, Northern Kenya has always had a strong influence of Somali, Oromo and Borana communities and tribes, who have lived as nomads in the area for many centuries.

Once inside the reserve, there are two mountains visible, Koitogor and Ololokwe.

Samburu National Reserve is very peaceful and attracts animals because of Uaso Nyiro River that runs through it and the mixture of acacia, riverine forest, thorn trees and grassland vegetation.

The Uaso Nyiro flows from the Kenyan highlands and empties into the famous Lorian Swamp. The natural serenity that is evident here is due to its distance from industries and the inaccessibility of the reserve for many years.

There is a wide variety of animal and bird life seen at Samburu National Reserve. Several species are considered unique to the region, including its unique dry-country animal life.

All three big cats can be found here, as well as elephant, buffalo and hippo. The Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe, Somali Ostrich are unique to this reserve.

Shaba National Reserve

:Shaba is a semi desert game reserve with a rugged hilly terrain, with great rocky kopjes and lots of springs supporting the abundant wildlife.

The landscape is similar to nearby Samburu with riverine forests, acacias and palms. Shaba National Reserve is enriched with extraordinary wildlife.

The reserve consists of a low lying, semi arid plain on the southern bank of the Northern Ewaso Nyiro River.

It lies 9 km east of Buffalo Springs National Reserve, from which it is separated by the main road from isiolo to Marsabit.

Its Northern section includes a 34km stretch of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Game drives will incorporate varied wildlife including gravy zebra, the Somali ostrich, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, lesser kudu, leopards, plenty of lion and herds of elephants.

Shaba was made famous for its association with the world famous conservationists Joy and George Adamson and the film "Born Free".

Meru National Park

:Meru is a savanna National Park covering 870 square kilometers and located north east of Mt. Kenya, 35 kilometers east of Maua town in the north eastern lowlands below the Nyambeni hills.

Meru is part of a complex of protected areas along the Tana River that includes the adjacent Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves (to the east and south respectively).

The North Western sector is hilly, with rich volcanic soils. The land flattens towards the East, where grey alluvial volcanic soils appear.

The area is crossed by numerous permanent streams. The Park is bounded by three large Rivers: the Tana to the South, the Ura to the South West and the Rojeweru to the East.

A section of the park has been designated as a wilderness area in which there are no roads. This park is part of the domain made famous by the writings of Joy Adamson.

To see the Wild North of Kenya I want to introduce three fantastic, unique wilderness retreats in the area to you.

Larsen's Camp in Samburu National Reserve

:Larsen's Camp is located in Kenya’s famous Samburu National Reserve and is named after Erik Ole Larsen, a legendary Dane credited with defining the luxury safari under canvas.

The camp is bordered by the Uaso Nyiro River on one side and all tents are discreetly sited along the west bank of the Uaso Nyiro River with the result that the tents are bathed with light at sunrise.

Each tent stands on a plinth of natural stone and all have en suite private bathrooms stocked with a range of Molton Brown toiletries, flushing toilets, constant hot water and 24 hour electricity (240 volts).

Each tent features 1 king or 2 twin beds designed in chic safari style. Enjoy game drives by custom-built four-wheel drive vehicles with roof hatches designed for game viewing in comfort and safety.

The driver / guides take pride in their intimate knowledge of the reserve, its flora and the wildlife that inhabits it.

Food always seems to taste doubly delicious when consumed al fresco, never more so following an energetic walk to a private location on the river bank to await a full English breakfast prepared by our uniformed chefs.

Joy's Camp in Shaba National Reserve

:Joy's Camp is built on the site of Joy Adamson’s tented home in Shaba National Reserve. An elegant oasis in the arid lands of Samburu.

The camp overlooks a large natural spring where elephant and lion jostle for watering rights with herds of buffalo and the rare desert species of Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe and Grevy's Zebra.

Each tent has its own private verandah, ideal for private game viewing as well as relaxing, reading and soaking up the truly wild environs offered by Shaba.

The eastern corner of the Samburu eco-system, Shaba is a secluded idyll; an arid landscape dotted with lush springs and Rocky River gorges.

Joy’s Camp is the perfect choice for discerning guests interested in a glimpse of Kenyan history, as well as those looking for an authentic wildlife experience combined with the comfort of a luxury-tented camp.

Elsa's Kopje Lodge Meru National Park

:Elsa's Kopje is a soft landing in the wild. Here you are greeted by a warm, gentle breeze, carrying the scent of the open plains and bush which surrounds you.

This Lodge is almost invisible to the eye as you approach the hill. It consists of 9 open-plan 'designer' cottages that blend into the rocky crags and bush, built close to the site of George Adamson's original camp where George and Joy Adamson released Elsa the lioness into the wild, the story made famous in the film Born Free.

The rooms are open fronted, enveloping you in the warm soft breezes and the incredible light reflecting off the plains that surround Mughwango Hill.

Every cottage is coolly elegant with generous double or twin beds, romantically swathed in netting and modern en-suite bathrooms to luxuriate in: the baths or showers are built as features of the rocky hillside.

Activity options include: a bush breakfast out on the plains, sundowners at the hippo pools amongst silhouetted doum palms, line fishing, exploring the park on foot.

Back at Elsa's Kopje, enjoy sundowners at the local "Hardrock Cafe" a natural rock plateau behind the lodge. Swim in the horizon pool formed from a cleft in the rocks.

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