Visit Kenya's Northern Frontier, Kenya
Kenya’s Northern Frontier is the wildest area of the country. Huge expanses of arid desert and semi-desert are inhabited only by nomads. However, there are some gems to see such as the Matthews Mountain Range and Lake Turkana.
Maasai elders in the Matthews Mountain Range
Kenya's Northern Frontier
Kenya
Kenya’s Northern Frontier is the wildest area of the country. Huge expanses of arid desert and semi-desert are inhabited only by highly nomadic pastoralists such as the Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Soyei.
Camels walk along rutted dusty tracks alongside hardy cattle and their herders. There are huge mountain ranges, the great expanse of Lake Turkana and mile upon mile of harsh unforgiving desert.
Most of Kenya’s Northern Frontier is inaccessible to regular tourists, with only the hardiest of back-packers making journeys up into this area. However, there are two places that are currently possible to reach, the Matthews Mountain Range and Lake Turkana. Two more exciting spots you could not find in Kenya. However, these are not for everybody. Due to the remoteness of the area no scheduled flights go here. Access is by private charter from Nanyuki and stays are strictly for those of an adventurous nature.
Matthews Mountain Range
The Matthews Mountain Range is the most accessible place in the Northern Frontier and home to one small but excellent camp called Kitich. The mountains are craggy, with thick forests, open scrub, deep gorges and beautiful open clearings. Exploring is only possible on foot as there are no roads and game is wild but prolific. Elephant are found in great numbers whilst lion, leopard, greater kudu, waterbuck, giant forest hogs, buffalos and even wild dogs are among the other species found, together with more than 200 bird species. The area is home to the pastoral Samburu and Soyei people and stays here enable it possible to meet and learn about these cultures.
Lake Turkana
The great expanse of Lake Turkana is awe inspiring. It is famous for its high concentrations of crocodiles and whilst you are more likely to see a couple at a time, there are sandbanks where you can see a hundred or so at night. The lake is a wonderful place for birdwatchers with lesser flamingos, spoonbills, goliath herons and many more species found there. The lake is also popular with serious fisherman with over 60 species of fish in the lake. Of particular interest to anglers are tiger fish, catfish, tilapia and enormous Nile perch.
With two small camps on the lake shores and only private charters going in here it is an expensive place to visit, but one of the wildest you’ll find in Kenya.
Places within Kenya's Northern Frontier
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- Also known as the Leroghi range, the Karisia Hills lie to the east of Maralal and are superb for trekking. You'll need a guide but the landscape is very diverse with dramatic scenery.
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- The Matthews Mountain Range is located in Kenya's Northern Frontier and is one of the wildest areas in the country. The place is home to numerous types of wildlife as well as the famous Samburu people.
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- 37.3617553710937