Karisia Walking Safaris
Karisia Safaris offer various levels of walking safaris through the wilderness of Laikipia, supported by camels and outfitted from their base camp, Tumaren.
Karisia is owner run by Kerry and James Christian and this immediately gives the whole experience a personal and exclusive feel. Fundamentally specialising in walking adventures, Karisia is ideal if you wish to escape into the bush and enjoy a private walking expedition which can include game viewing, but is also often orientated towards birding, wilderness and cultural experiences.
How much game you see depends on the focus of the trip – some areas are very good for game viewing, especially close to Tumaren Camp; their home and base camp, whilst in the community areas of Laikipia the game concentrations are much less. The walking can blend from tracking big game to climbing mountains and exploring forests. Different price options and levels of comfort offer good flexibility, and guiding, food and service is always of a good standard. All in all, a great option for exploring the exclusive wilderness on foot.
Rooms
Karisia offers both mobile and non-mobile walking safaris and the accommodations vary depending on the level of camp you choose. The options are the mobile walking safari camps, Tumaren Camp and Satellite Camp.
The mobile walking safaris are operated from two different levels of camp: ‘Classic’, and ‘Air B+C’ (meaning Bed and Camel!).
The Classic camp option has simple A-frame tents with standing room and a small veranda at the front with a camp table and chairs, a mirror and hand basin that gets filled with fresh water as needed. Comfy mattresses are on the floor with a duvet, two feather pillows, dressing gowns, hot water bottles and towels. On request you may have a camp bed instead but this does take up more room in your tent. There are solar lights for the tents and a long drop toilet tent for each tent and shared bucket shower tents (one between two tents).
The AirBnC camp option uses large dome tents with two doors, whilst the bedding consists of sheets and blankets, and the camp shares toilets and showers.
In both cases, a central mess area (canvas awning) is provided with table and chairs for dining. Either safari style can be led and guided by Jamie or Kerry (supplement applicable), or by one of their excellent local Samburu guides (these are called Samburu led safaris). When Kerry and Jamie lead a trip, they are always accompanied by a Samburu guide so you never miss out on the specialist local knowledge.
Tumaren Camp is the base for the non-mobile safaris and may also be used at the beginning or end of a mobile safari. Tumaren Camp, originally Kerry and James’s home, is a relaxed base, offering tented accommodation for around 20 guests in seven large spacious tents all overlooking an open plain and waterhole. While all of the tents are large enough to sleep a family of four or five guests, four of the tents specifically have a divider separating the tent into two bedroom areas with a double bed and two single beds in each area. One tent also has two extra single beds, but no divider separating them. Each tent is comfortably furnished with space for extra beds or a sofa, 24 hour lighting and en suite bathroom facilities including plumbed shower, basin and flush toilet. The main areas consist of a lounge and two dining tents, also overlooking the plain in front of camp. At one end of the camp is a beautiful swimming pool and thatched mess area with lounge, bar and dining space. The camp can be booked on an exclusive use basis, or on a shared, individual basis.
Finally, Satellite Camp is perfect for those that want a taste of the more adventurous camping but without moving location, and works well with a night or two at Tumaren Camp before/after. Accommodation is provided in the Luxury Camp tents as described above, and the camp is booked on a private exclusive-use basis, but it stays in one place, and is always set up in one of the best game areas.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes (Tumaren Camp only)
Swimming Pool – Yes (Tumaren Camp only)
Habitat & Wildlife
Laikipia covers a significant portion of dramatic countryside in northern Kenya, sandwiched between Samburu and Mount Kenya in the east and the Aberdare Mountains and Great Rift Valley in the west. The central section of the area is covered by a lava plateau which creates a series of rocky escarpments offering epic views, whilst a series of rocky outcrops and hills dot the landscape revealing the landscapes much more ancient history (some of these rocks are thought to be around 80 million years old). The region is divided into a number of private ranches, conservancies and community lands with farming (cattle mainly), wildlife conservation and local populations all existing in relative harmony. As the region is increasingly closely managed, and the local communities are made more aware of their role in conserving wildlife and benefiting from this, there has been an increase in properties dedicated solely to wildlife, and in these areas the wildlife populations are growing steadily. Some private ranches have been concentrating on wildlife conservation for many years and offer superb game viewing experiences, though in general the Laikipia region is better known for its wilderness, scenery and the wide variety of activities on offer.
The terrain and habitat is varied with two main rivers dissecting the region – the Ewaso Nyiro and Ewaso Narok. These rivers are fed from Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains respectively, and provide year round water through what can otherwise be described as a dry and harsh environment. Around 250 species of birds have been recorded and the mammal list includes greater kudu, gerenuk, wild dog, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, lion, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Thompson and Grants gazelle, eland, Beisa oryx, defassa waterbuck, striped hyaena, spotted hyaena, baboon, vervet monkey, jackal, warthog and many smaller species such as caracal, African wild cat, serval, genet, civet, porcupine, aardvark, aardwolf and rock hyrax.
Activities
Walking is always the main activity with Karisia (including with camels), but from Tumaren it is also possible to undertake game drives (both day and night). Swimming in the Ewaso Nyiro River, picnic lunches on mountain tops and spontaneous cultural experiences make the whole experience very flexible and rewarding, whilst you can also expect to see a large amount of game and learn a significant amount of bush skills along the way. For those looking for something a little different, Karisia have trained guides for rock climbing (prior notice must be given). It is also possible to visit a local school, a Manyatta (Samburu homestead) and markets. Stays are always tailored and flexible to suit guests’ interests with plenty of options for families.
Seasons
Karisia Camps are open all year round, though rain is more likely in November, April and May.
Karisia are extremely family friendly both at Tumaren and on mobile walking safaris, offering family tents at Tumaren and inter-connecting tents on mobile safaris. Kerry and James have their own children and understand the needs and interests of kids with many fun and engaging activities on offer such as Samburu games and football. We would however suggest that mobile walking safaris are best suited to children old enough to enjoy the walking, which often means 12 years and older.
Karisia pays conservation and community fees to the private land owners or communities where their guests walk to increase land productivity and reduce poaching. Tumaren Ranch has become wildlife haven and part of the conservation fees are used to assist in the security and management of the area and nearby farms. The community fees assist school, hospitals and community based projects.
Karisia give support to local schools by donating resources, paying school and hospital fees, feeding programmes and contributing to the salaries of teachers. They also support the community by employing local staff and by purchasing locally made honey with the funds going directly to the families.
