2026 - 4 Day Kayaking on Ewaso Nyiro River

Depart Nairobi for a 3-hour drive down to Magadi

Your adventure begins with a scenic drive from Nairobi southwest along the Magadi Road, descending into the Great Rift Valley. En route, stop at the renowned Olorgesailie Prehistoric Site, one of the world's most important Acheulian archaeological locations, where you'll explore in-situ displays of ancient stone tools, fossils, and evidence of early human activity dating back hundreds of thousands of years—set dramatically between extinct volcanoes on the Rift Valley floor

Halfway break to explore Olorgesailie Prehistoric human site (50,000 year old man) (1hr). Drive over Lake Magadi (Flamingos and dramatic salt flats)

 Continue to Nguruman Bridge, where the dramatic Nguruman Escarpment rises as the western wall of the Rift Valley. This impressive 50-kilometer-long escarpment forms a natural border between Kenya and Tanzania, with its lush slopes feeding the southern Ewaso Nyiro River, whose waters eventually flow across the border into Lake Natron. At the bridge, transfer to motorbikes for an exhilarating ride through the rugged landscape to your riverside campsite on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro.

Picnic lunch in the bush

Transfer to motorbikes at Nguruman bridge and ride through Kiramatian conservancy to Kalema.

Once arrived, set up camp amid the serene river setting, followed by a comprehensive briefing and hands-on training session on kayaking techniques, along with essential safety protocols to prepare for the paddling days ahead.

River side sunset drinks and fireside dinner

Early morning breakfast. Pack personal day kit into dry bags; load remaining kit into vehicle.

Start kayaking! Easy and fun grade one rapids on the Ewaso River.

Rise early to the sounds of the river and surrounding bush, then launch your kayaks for a full day of paddling downstream on the gentle but scenic Ewaso Nyiro. The river winds through pristine wilderness, offering chances to spot birdlife, crocodiles, and other riverine creatures as you navigate the calm waters. Enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch at a shaded riverside spot, soaking in the tranquillity of the landscape.

Picnic lunch on the scenic riverbank, continue afternoon kayaking

In the afternoon, continue paddling before reaching your next campsite, where you set up tents and settle in for the evening.

Setup campsite

Visit a nearby Manyatta in time to see the cattle returning and to meet the community

participate in a unique cultural experience by helping local Maasai warriors herd their cattle back to the safety of the enkang (homestead) as the sun sets, gaining insight into their traditional pastoral lifestyle and deep connection to the land.

Sunset drinks and Dinner

Sunrise, wake up and coffee with a snack

Enjoy an early morning visit to a habituated troop of baboons, observing their fascinating social behaviours up close in their natural habitat—a rare and intimate wildlife encounter.

Breakfast. Pack up camp

Mid-morning start kayaking on a much calmer stretch of river, absorbing nature.

Paddle to Shompole Conservancy, gliding along the river until you reach this 20,000-acre community-owned gem nestled between the Nguruman and Loita Escarpments.

Enjoy a shaded lunch on the riverbank.

Mid-afternoon, arrive at the campsite and settle in

Late afternoon, enjoy a game drive through Shompole conservancy; sundowners and night drive back to camp

In the evening and into the night, embark on game drives through the conservancy, spotting elephants, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, lions, leopards, and an incredible diversity of over 400 bird species. What makes Shompole truly special is the freedom to step out of the vehicle for guided walking safaris, allowing you to track wildlife on foot for a closer, more immersive experience—something rare in many protected areas. As a 100% Maasai-run conservancy, every moment supports local livelihoods, education, and conservation efforts, blending adventure with meaningful cultural connection.

In the evening, enjoy a fireside dinner

Early morning breakfast. break camp and load vehicles

Then enjoy a scenic motorbike ride through the conservancies to the research centre; participate in eco-stove handover to the community (each stove saves ~3 tons CO2/year)

Hop back on the motorbikes for the return ride to Nguruman Bridge, retracing the rugged trails with fresh appreciation for the landscape. Near Ngurumani in the Olkiramatian group ranch, stop at the Lale’enok Resource Centre, a community-driven initiative born from collaboration between the South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO), the African Conservation Centre (ACC), and the Olkiramatian Reto Women’s Group. Visit the centre to learn about its focus on research in the South Rift, exploring how scientific studies can generate community income to complement ecotourism while providing vital data to guide sustainable conservation and development.  Participate in eco-stove handover to the community (each stove saves ~3 tons CO2/year)

Enjoy lunch before departing for Nairobi with an estimated arrival time of 17:00 hrs.