Of Wild Camel Safaris at Tumaren Camp!

Travel
Tumaren_Camp

 

‘We must be lost!’ No one voiced it out, but everyone was sure thinking it… We’d been driving for ages to find Tumaren Camp, with no visible ending in sight.

The sun was burning so hot that it might as well have been in the car with us. πŸ˜€

Plus, we were starving! What breakfast we’d taken that morning at El Karama LodgeΒ had simply vanished.

Personally, I was bordering on ‘hangry’; you know that imperfect balance between hungry and angry? Scary feeling, I tell you… πŸ˜€

 

Stopping to ask for directions, we found out that we’d been going the wrong way for a while…

We took that chance to stretch our wary limbs and ‘reset’ our systems. After all, true adventure is getting lost in the middle of nowhere, no? πŸ˜€

Tumaren_Camp

 

 

Exploring Tumaren Camp

Our saving grace came in the form of Emanuel. At first he looked like a random guy asking for a ride, but thankfully, he was our guide. πŸ˜€

Turns out, he’d been waiting for hours but couldn’t reach us because our phones had ‘zero’ signal.

Tip: Always carry a basic phone (i.e. mulika mwizi) while exploringΒ Β  limited network areas, as it will easily get connectivity.

Tumaren_Camp

Emanuel

 

On arriving at Tumaren Camp, I promptly felt a sense of liberation. πŸ™‚

I liked the vastness of the camp (without a visible fence,) which offers wide views of the landscape littered with wildlife.

Tumaren Camp, owned by Kerry Glen and James Christian, is situated in North-East Laikipia, within Naibunga Conservancy and lies on a 3,000 acre, community group ranch.

Tumaren_Camp

 

Our hosts, a mix of Samburu and Maasai men clad in traditional Maasai garb, welcomed us with the warmest of smiles and cool drinks.Β  πŸ˜€

We took a quick look at the camp, as they were setting up lunch. They have lavish lounge/dining area and 4 classic safari tents that’re tastefully furnished. πŸ™‚

Tumaren_Camp

Tumaren_Camp

 

And oh the showers! Set up outside, the spacious, luxurious showers are a like dream! πŸ˜€

 

P.S. Their mobile camping equipment can accommodate larger groups.

 

 

Fun Things To Do at Tumaren Camp

Rock Climbing

As evening rolled in, we went out rock climbing, for sun-downer with drinks. πŸ™‚

Tumaren_Camp

 

The views are remarkable! We spotted a herd of elephants, and a group of baboons playing about in the distance…

Tumaren_Ranch

Destination_Laikipia

 

Making Fire

I never thought I’d say this: but we saw men make fire with two sticks! Whoa! πŸ˜€

Gabriel Ewoi and Moi Elekeshine talked us through the process…

Did You Know? The secret ingredient to making fire with two sticks is dried elephant dung + lots of patience and persistence. πŸ˜€

Tumaren_Camp

Tumaren Camp

Tumaren_Camp

 

They persisted until it sparked a flame! It was incredible, to watch!

 

Tumaren_Camp

Tumaren_Camp

 

Bonfire

One of the best parts about camping, is the bonfire, yes? πŸ™‚

The evening slowly slipped away, with stories around the bonfire & soothing music from Rachel’s precious, portable speaker.

The camp came alive, and for some reason I felt safe at Tumaren Camp; the place without a visible fence. πŸ˜€

 

Ride Into The Wild On Camel-back…

The next morning, we woke up in high spirits and breakfast was a breeze! The pancakes were esp. memorable. πŸ™‚

I’d never ridden a camel before and was eager to tick it off my bucket-list! πŸ˜€

Camel_Safari

 

Tumaren Camp operates Karisia Walking Safaris, which offers custom-made camel safaris for adventure lovers.

With your daily provisions set, you get to explore the wild on camel-back and set up camp wherever the night finds you. Fun, right?

Tumaren_Camp

Tumaren Camp

 

Moi Elekeshine told us about how one of the camels, #58 once escaped from the jaws of death. He’d wandered from camp one night and into the hands of two lions…

By some miracle, he managed to fight them off and got away with battle wounds…

Tumaren_Camp

Camel_Safari

 

Riding takes a bit of getting used to, though it’s really comfortable… Mutua’s camel- #58 was notorious for bending down to catch a snack, so his ride was extra bumpy. πŸ˜€

Tumaren Camp

 

Camel_Safari

Tumaren_Camp

Josh checking out his masterpiece shots πŸ™‚

 

Tj had fun droning on giraffes, especially one brave fella that stuck around eyeing his drone, even after the rest had run off.

Tumaren_Camp

 

 

Tumaren is a great escape into the wild, with something to do, for everyone-young and old. πŸ™‚

Tumaren_Camp

 

***

Many thanks to our kind, amazing hosts at Tumaren Camp for going out of their way, to make us feel safe and welcome! πŸ˜€

And cheers to my fellow #DestinationLaikipia explorers; Rachel, Mutua, Tj and Josh! πŸ˜€

 

Photography Credits:

Josh Kisamwa

Tj (the_mentalyst)

& Marion Mithamo

 

 


 

Thanks for keeping up with this #DestinationLaikipia series my friends! I appreciate you! πŸ˜€

I would love to read your comments, questions and feedback. Do leave a comment down below πŸ˜‰ πŸ˜€

 

<Stay.Inspired.Always>

 

 

Previous Story
Next Story

You Might Also Like

20 Comments

  • Reply
    Wendie
    April 7, 2019 at 2:46 am

    wooow such a beautiful peace and an eye opener. I would love to go this year. thank you for sharing…please give me their contact if you dont mind

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 10, 2019 at 9:54 am

      Hi Wendie! I am really glad you liked the piece, and yay to your visit. You’ll like it there. πŸ™‚
      I have sent you an email. πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Wendy
    April 7, 2019 at 2:44 am

    Beautiful peace… i want to go before end of this year
    How much will it cost me please if you dont mind sharing?

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 10, 2019 at 9:55 am

      Hi Wendy! I am really glad you liked the piece, and yay to your visit. You’ll like it there. πŸ™‚
      I have sent you an email πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Irene Nyabuto
    April 23, 2018 at 12:07 pm

    Wow, never heard of it before. Sounds like wild fun!

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 25, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      Happy to share! And wild fun it is, be sure to give it a try! πŸ˜€

  • Reply
    Enid
    April 12, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    Wow! I want to go!

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      April 13, 2018 at 2:32 am

      Yaay That’s the spirit Enid! I bet you will and you will totally love it! πŸ˜€

  • Reply
    Lynn
    April 9, 2018 at 8:26 am

    It sure is a hidden gem❀

  • Reply
    Patricia
    April 7, 2018 at 7:37 pm

    Laikipia really beautiful Kenya is such a beautiful country
    Yaani making fire using sticks still exists

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      April 11, 2018 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you sis! Yes, Kenya is truly beautiful! Haha imagine fire-making with sticks is still possible! Interesting right? Thank you for reading! πŸ˜€

  • Reply
    stanley
    April 7, 2018 at 11:50 am

    Thanks for good work you are doing nice place

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      April 11, 2018 at 2:11 pm

      Asante sana Stanley! I appreciate it! Thank you for the support! πŸ˜€

  • Reply
    Nancy chege
    April 6, 2018 at 10:46 pm

    I enjoy camping. The Tumaren camp experience sounds great. Can’t wait to try it out.
    Continue illuminating kenya’s hidden jewels.

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      April 11, 2018 at 1:58 pm

      Wow Nancy, thank you for reading! And yes, I believe you would enjoy Tumaren immensely- go for it! πŸ˜€ Yes, I sure will! πŸ˜€

  • Reply
    Leah
    April 6, 2018 at 10:28 pm

    So much beauty at one place . Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply
    Nesh
    April 6, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    Again and again I say Laikipia is endowed with majicalness that this Country needs to appreciate. I would wish to know what others gems other counties are offering to the tourism industry as a whole. Keep up the good job dear sis

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      April 11, 2018 at 1:43 pm

      Thank you for reading dear! I agree, it would be amazing to discover the hidden gems in the other counties in Kenya! Laikipia has not disappointed at all πŸ˜€

    Leave a Reply