What We Do

The Big North is unlike any other destination on earth. This is a once-in-a-lifetime destination; where wilderness and culture meets epic adventure. And the icing on the cake? It is responsible tourism at its very best.

The Big North is the collective name for the counties of Samburu, Laikipia and Marsabit. This huge wilderness area is home to many different pastoral tribes who live their life sharing the area with wildlife. This makes the Big North a fabulous place to visit for an introduction both culture and the wilderness.

Rock climbing, rhino tracking, bartering in a local market, game driving, nature walks, or simply sitting watching a view with a cold drink in hand; the Big North offers an endless list of activities in which to partake

So whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a safari and sundowner type, or an adventure family, the Big North says Karibu!

Culture

Northern Kenya is home to diverse cultures and colourful traditions. Community life revolves around livestock, and many of the ethnic groups still maintain the same semi-nomadic way of life that their ancestors did. There are more than fourteen different ethnic groups in northern Kenya, including Laikipiak Maasai, Samburu, Borana, Rendille, Gabra and Turkana. Intimate access to the cultures of Northern Kenya is a rare opportunity. Through community conservation, people now have a platform to share their traditions with visitors and earn valuable revenue for their families in doing so. Experience traditional homesteads, treat your ears to the ‘singing wells’ and learn about handcrafted instruments and jewelry. Immersing yourself in the people that make The Big North so special is an experience you’ll never forget.

Photo credit: Melinda Rees

the-big-north-wildlife

Photo credit: Melinda Rees

Wilderness

Northern Kenya is said to be one of the last true wilderness areas of East Africa. This is a landscape characterized with mountain peaks, rolling hills, vast grasslands, deserts and indigenous forests. Iconic mountains of the region include Mt. Ololokwe(sacred mountain to the Samburu community), Mt. Marsabit, Mt. Poi and Mt. Kulal. Through community conservation, The Big North is seeing wildlife return to areas they haven’t been seen in years. Here, we have our own version of The Big Five, known as the Northern five. Only in this part of Kenya can you find the Reticulated Giraffe, the Grevy’s zebra, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich and Beisa Oryx.

Adventure

Mountain bike over epic ridges, hook up your ropes to iconic rock faces, ride a camel train past a herd of elephants, track rhinos on food and visit the first ever indigenous community elephant orphanage. However, you like your adventures, the Big North has something for you.

Activities include:
Camel treks
Game viewing
Hiking
Cultural Immersions
Mountain biking
Rhino-tracking
Rock climbing
Camping

epic-adventure-the-big-north

Photo credit: Latitude Adventures