Karisia Walking Safaris

Unlike a vehicle-based safari, a walking safari allows the traveller to enjoy a more intimate insight into Kenya’s animals and its people. Karisia mobile safaris are walking safaris supported fully by camels and they are used to move the entire camp to a new location each day with the help of Laikipia Maasai and Samburu staff. The number of camels on the safaris vary between 8 – 25 depending on the number of guests on the safari. The staff will range between 6 and 18.

By using camels rather than vehicles guests can access areas that vehicles cannot reach and still have a comfortable camp. It is a very peaceful way of travelling through the landscape. Each safari is tailor made to suit the group and the trips are popular with honeymooners, as well as family groups and friends wanting a few days together in Kenya’s beautiful Laikipia and Samburu districts.

Karisia does exclusive-use tailor made safaris from 3 to 10 nights for groups from 4 guests and to locations including the conservancies of Laikipia, Karisia Hills, the lower Ewaso Wilderness, the Mathew Range as well as Mt Kenya. Karisia also offers some group set-date departures for couples or small groups.

Guests are woken before sunrise with a friendly ‘hodi hodi’ (wakey wakey) outside their tents and hot water in the basins. After a cup of tea or pressed coffee, some granola, eggs, toast and fruit you will set off with the rising sun. You walk through the morning looking for wildlife and birds, at the scenery and culture along the way and arrive at the new camp before lunch. You are accompanied by an armed guide, Laikipia Maasai tracker, and riding camels who also carry the refreshments and daypacks. Camels can be ridden whenever the terrain allows. The walk is typically between 8 and 16 km in the morning hours depending on the group, their interests and ages. The walks are all tailormade and remain as flexible as possible. You will stop occasionally for water and a light snack before carrying on to the next camp. The main team will have packed up the camp behind you and aim straight for the next campsite without stopping. You will arrive at the new camp to be greeted with a cool drink and a freshly prepared lunch.

The afternoon is spent relaxing, enjoying a stream or river, or having a siesta before going for an
evening walk, rock climbing, visiting a manyatta, birdwatching or sundowners. The camels also use this time to relax and browse around camp. In the evening the staff will offer hot showers before you have drinks by the fire and a three-course dinner under the stars. Occasionally you will stay in the same camp for more than one night, venturing out to explore the immediate area, have brunch, visit the local market or school, and go rock climbing or tracking wildlife.

Each of the Kenya walking safari itineraries can be booked as one of three different versions – “Luxury walking safari with camels”, “Classic walking safari with camels” or “Air BnC walking safari”. These walking safaris are all mobile walking safaris where the camp is moved each day to a new location by the camels and team.

The Luxury Walking Safari with camels offers a little extravagance and is a journey as the camp moves along with you with the help of the staff and camels. The four-poster bed is left behind, but the king size mattress, feather pillow and duvet are not. Your accommodation is in a large, traditional, canvas tent with a chair, table, mirror, drinking water and a hand wash basin on the veranda. The bedding has 2 pillows, sheets and duvets, dressing gowns, towels, hot water bottles, solar lights and carpets. You can request for a bucket shower that comes with plenty of hot water. There is a toilet behind each tent. If you want a family style tent, two tents can be joined together so that the children feel secure. Meals are freshly prepared each day with breakfast and dinner served at the table and lunch is an informal buffet-style. A choice of luxury beer, wine and spirits are also included for those who love to have their taste of alcohol in the bush.

The Classic Walking Safari offers accommodation in the same spacious green netting tents for 1 or 2 people with comfy bedding, pillow and a towel. There is a table with a mirror and water and a solar light in the tent, and carpets and a stool add to the tent comforts, along with a handwash basin in front. You will enjoy hot showers and the toilets are shared if the group is large. Delicious freshly prepared meals are served, and house beer, wine and spirits are included. The classic safari is perfect for those wanting a tent that that you can stand in, but not bothered about the luxury extras.

The Air Bed and Camel Safari is perfect for budget-conscious travellers for whom the experience is more
important than luxuries. The tents are large 4-person dome tents with two doors and fitted with sheets, blankets and towels. The team serve excellent two course meals and alcohol is extra. The comfortable camp is a lighter, which means less staff and camels are used to move it.