Group of people standing on riverbank at sunrise with tents, Sarara Treehouses, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Guests viewing landscape from tent entrance at camp, Kitich Camp, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Herd of elephants walking through dusty savanna landscape
Cape buffalo grazing in grassland during daytime
Illuminated treehouse lodge reflected in water at night, Sarara Treehouses, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Interior view of safari tent with open entrance and guests outside, Kitich Camp, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Guest relaxing in infinity pool overlooking forested valley, Sarara Treehouses, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Group walking through tall grass during guided forest activity, Kitich Camp, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Safari lodge with thatched roof at sunset in mountains, Sarara Treehouses, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Four giraffes walking through dense green vegetation
Male lion with lioness in golden grassland at sunrise

inspiration

kenya: fly camping in the northern forests

Private Safari
From $9,445 pp
2 guests
7 nights

trip highlights

  • Kitich Camp sits in the Mathews Range forest, where more than 350 bird species and over 150 kinds of butterfly have been recorded.
  • Walks at Kitich follow forest paths and the seasonal Ngeng River with Samburu and Ndorobo guides, with no game drives at all.
  • Sarara Treehouses stands on stilts in a forest glade at the foot of Mount Uarges, with elephants, buffalo and giraffe moving beneath the decks.
  • Namunyak is a community conservancy of around 850,000 acres, where days can include game drives, night drives, walking safaris and camel treks.
Scroll for the full itinerary
Local guides with poles crossing shallow forest river, Kitich Camp, Northern Kenya, Kenya

Forest Walking in Northern Kenya

This is a seven-night route through the forests and conservancies of Northern Kenya, moving between three camps. It opens in Netonia Forest at a lightweight mobile fly camp, then heads to the Mathews Range and Kitich Camp, a walking camp in montane forest along the seasonal Ngeng River. It closes in the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy at Sarara Treehouses, canopy suites at the foot of Mount Uarges.

You travel on foot for much of it, following forest paths, river margins and hillsides in the company of Samburu and Ndorobo guides. At Kitich the days hold guided walks, rock-pool swimming and fly-fishing, with no game drives. In Namunyak, a community conservancy, days can include game drives, walking safaris, bush ponies and camel treks. The camps are small in scale and comfortable.

plan your safari

Daily Itinerary Breakdown

Netonia Forest by Fly Camp

Two nights in Netonia Forest begin the trip at a fly camp, a lightweight mobile camp set up for the stay rather than a permanent property. This is the simplest form of accommodation on the route, close to the ground and built for exploring on foot. It sets the tone for the days that follow, before the trip moves on to the Mathews Range.

  • Accommodation in a lightweight mobile camp

Kitich Camp in the Mathews Range

At around 1,330 metres, Kitich Camp sits in a forested river glade in the Mathews Range and does away with the game drive entirely. Days are spent on foot, moving through indigenous montane forest and along the seasonal Ngeng River with Samburu and Ndorobo guides, tracking elephant sign and following birdsong. The forest holds more than 350 recorded bird species and over 150 kinds of butterfly, and wild dogs and leopards pass through, along with the occasional lion. Between walks there is swimming in natural rock pools and fly-fishing in the streams.

Sarara Treehouses in Namunyak

Three nights in the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, established in 1995 by Samburu Elders and meaning The Place of Peace. Sarara Treehouses stands in a mature forest glade at the foot of Mount Uarges, with eight canvas suites on stilts so elephants, buffalo and giraffe move across the forest floor beneath the decks. A permanent waterhole lies below the main lounge and infinity pool. Because Namunyak is a community conservancy rather than a national park, days can include game drives, night drives, walking safaris, horseback rides on bush ponies and camel treks into the Mathews Range.

Ed Charles photographing wildlife

Ed Charles, BBC Producer

Fitzroy are true specialists in accessing the wilderness. They know where to go and importantly, when to go there. Highly recommended.

Ed Charles

Bafta & Emmy award winning film producer of BBC’s Planet Earth 2 and A Perfect Planet

looking for inspiration?

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kenya

helicopter safari

Twelve nights across Kenya by helicopter, from the Borana rhino conservancy over the Suguta Valley to Turkana, then Laikipia and the Kilifi coast.

  • Private Safari
  • From $37,100 pp
  • 4 guests
  • 12 nights
View Safari
Close-up portrait of mountain gorilla with green foliage, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Canopy bed with cream drapes in spacious bedroom, Sheba’s Secret Garden, Nairobi, Kenya Canvas safari tents with wooden walkway at sunset, Mara Nyika Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya Illuminated treehouse lodge reflected in water at night, Sarara Treehouses, Northern Kenya, Kenya Thatched-roof lodge structure with mountain backdrop and trees, Koros Camp, Northern Kenya, Kenya Thatched-roof lodge illuminated at dusk with savanna landscape, Lewa House, Laikipia Highlands, Kenya Swimming pool with loungers and stone terrace surrounded by hedges, Villa Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda Modern lodge building with volcanic mountain backdrop and green fields, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Bartender smiling behind wooden counter with ornate window, Sheba’s Secret Garden, Nairobi, Kenya Illuminated safari tent with dining setup at dusk, Mara Nyika Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya Guest relaxing in infinity pool overlooking forested valley, Sarara Treehouses, Northern Kenya, Kenya Dirt path through acacia trees with mountain lake backdrop, Koros Camp, Northern Kenya, Kenya Outdoor lounge area overlooking savanna landscape at dusk, Lewa House, Laikipia Highlands, Kenya Swimming pool with loungers and manicured gardens, Villa Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda

kenya & rwanda

turkana, lewa and the gorillas

Twenty nights from Nairobi through Kenya's northern conservancies to Rwanda's mountain gorillas.

  • Private Safari
  • From $44,185 pp
  • 2 guests
  • 20 nights
View Safari
Blue helicopter parked on riverbank beside wetland vegetation Outdoor entertaining area with fire pit at dusk, The Emakoko, Nairobi, Kenya Shaded dining deck with tables overlooking savanna landscape, Rekero Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya Riverside lodge with illuminated fire pit and mountain backdrop, Kalepo Camp, Northern Kenya, Kenya Curved modern lodge buildings perched on rocky hilltop overlooking valley, Ol Lentille, Laikipia Highlands, Kenya Illuminated waterfront lodge reflecting in calm water at dusk, Hemingways Eden Residence, Nairobi, Kenya Wooden deck overlooking savanna landscape with acacia trees, The Emakoko, Nairobi, Kenya Riverside dining deck overlooking savanna landscape at sunset, Rekero Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya Aerial view of guests gathered on sandy beach, Kalepo Camp, Northern Kenya, Kenya Evening terrace with firepit, seating, and moonlit landscape, Ol Lentille, Laikipia Highlands, Kenya Ivy-covered building with wooden doors and shaded garden pathway, Hemingways Eden Residence, Nairobi, Kenya Infinity pool at sunset with savanna landscape beyond, The Emakoko, Nairobi, Kenya Wooden deck overlooking river at sunset with trees, Rekero Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya Elephant walking across river valley with mountain backdrop, Kalepo Camp, Northern Kenya, Kenya

kenya

samburu and laikipia by helicopter

Fourteen nights across Kenya, from Nairobi's park to the Mara, then by helicopter into Samburu and the Laikipia Highlands.

  • Private Safari
  • From $26,580 pp
  • 4 guests
  • 14 nights
View Safari

rated five stars by our clients

Planning a journey together

our approach

remote, exclusive
& personal

Every journey starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand your vision before we start planning.

Whether by phone or in person, we work with you directly to shape something that is considered, personal, and expertly delivered.

Every journey starts with a conversation. We favour a direct, personal approach: understanding your vision before anything else.

Whether by phone or in person, we work with you directly to shape a journey that is both thoughtfully considered and expertly delivered.

Get in touch to start planning yours.

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