Trekking in Kenya: The Mountain of Birds

7 nights
Grade: Moderate/Challenging

An amazing expedition deep into the Great Rift Valley to the distant peak 'Loporin' - the 'Mountain of Birds' of Samburu and Turkana tribal folklore.

You will have local Samburu guides and a mule and camp team to carry equipment, cook and set up camp. You will sleep in dome tents and have hot showers every night! For this expedition you will need to bring sleeping bags and sleeping mats. For shorter itineraries mattresses and bedding are provided.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - Lerachi Gorge
Your expedition begins in the forest-clad Leroghi Mountains, at an altitude of approximately 8,000 feet (2,400m). You pass a series of traditional Samburu villages and arrive at the top of the Losiolo escarpment - the 'Roof of the World'. You then descend for over 3,000 feet via a mountain path to the floor of the valley. The route continues through stands of Acacia and Combretum trees to the camp in the beautiful Lerachi gorge. A crystal-clear stream bubbles out of the ground some 200 metres above our shaded campsite. Dinner and drinks by the campfire under clear African skies.
12 km, 5 hours

Day 2: Great Rift Valley
Today is spent exploring the surrounding area. You will walk west, further into the Great Rift Valley, exploring a range of small flat-topped volcanic peaks, with marvellous views towards the western escarpments, some 200km across the arid plains below you. You will enjoy a picnic lunch under the cool of the Acacia trees. Return to camp in the late afternoon and a cooling swim in the stream, which meanders through tall Phoenix reclinata and Ficus trees, forming a series of natural rock swimming pools.
8km, 5 hours - many stops for exploration

Day 3: Base of Loporin 'The Mountain of Birds'
You will continue your descent, via a series of green 'luggas' (seasonal river beds). These are excellent for sightings of birds and monkeys and if you are lucky, the rare Greater Kudu. At any time, you may have a chance meeting with the nomadic Samburu or Pokot tribes people, who often drive their cattle into the valley floor in search of fresh grazing. The terrain becomes progressively arid and rugged – sightings of the rare giraffe-necked antelope, the Gerenuk are possible. This is also the territory of lion, leopard and hyena. You arrive in the early afternoon at the camp at the base of the Mountain of Birds. You will enjoy 'sundowners' (evening drinks) on a volcanic outcrop and settle down for dinner by the fire.
11 km. 5 hours

Day 4: The Mountain of Birds
Today you will have an early rise, in order to begin todays climb in the cool of the morning. Loporin, or the 'Mountain of Birds' is a place of legend among the Samburu and Turkana tribal folklore. The soaring twin pinnacles of rock shelter many types of cliff-dwelling birds and are the roosting sites for Vultures, African Ravens and a pair of rare Verreaux's Eagles. The walk takes you up a steep slope to a saddle between the spectacular twin pinnacles, a climb of about 300 metres or 900 feet. The mountain is all that remains of an ancient volcano - millions of years ago the first humans roamed this vast Great Rift Valley wilderness. From the saddle you'll enjoy amazing views northwards to Lake Turkana, appreciating the vast and wild nature of the region. Far below you the arid Suguta Valley drops to below sea level - one of hottest places on earth.
5 km, 5 hours

Day 5: Lerachi gorge
You will climb back up towards the Lerachi gorge, following a slightly different route through the spectacular volcanic landscape. Animals which may be sighted include the Greater Kudu, Klipspringer, common zebra and Mountain Reedbuck. Sightings of the big cats are extremely rare during the day; however you may see signs on the ground. You arrive at the campsite in the Lerachi gorge in the late afternoon.
11km. 6 hours

Day 6: Losiolo
From Lerachi you continue upwards towards the escarpment and the Leroghi Mountains loom above. You pass the waterhole at Rigit before continuing to the camp at the base of the Losiolo escarpment. Along the way, it is possible to find semi-precious stones glimmering in the thin soils.
7 km. 5 hours

Day 7: Leroghis - Faull's farmhouse
Today is a tough climb back up the escarpment, however the views are incredible. You pass through a series of rock outcrops and pinnacles, before entering the thick forest of the Leroghis. You reach the summit of the escarpment in the late morning and enjoy a picnic lunch at the top. After lunch you will continue to the comfort of the Faull's farmhouse, where you can relax and recount the tales of the expedition over a delicious meal.
5 km. 4 hours

Day 8: Finish - Following breakfast, continue on your journey back to Nairobi or elsewhere in Kenya
The trek is conducted at a leisurely pace which will suit the pace of the group as a whole, and should anyone feel tired at any stage, there are 2 trained riding mules on which you may hitch a lift! You generally reach camp in the mid afternoon and there will be time for an evening game walk in the forest glades surrounding the camp. You will not carry anything as you are accompanied on your safaris by a team of 15-25 trained donkeys and mules, who each carry a small share of the camp equipment and supplies. The donkeys are looked after by skilled Samburu warriors and are the traditional animals utilised on any safari in this area.

Campsites are very carefully chosen - all are in spectacular locations, often at the top of an escarpment overlooking the plains, or by the banks of a river in a beautiful wooded valley. Camps are completely organised for you - an 'advance party' of Samburu warriors reach the campsite at least an hour before you and by the time you arrive all the tents are set up and there is a blazing fire and hot water for tea and coffee!

We can arrange a number of shorter walking safaris both set date departures or tailor-made, for these walks bedding and mattresses are provided.

Please contact us for more details for any of the above

 

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