4 Days Nairobi to Shompole Wilderness via Ngong

Exclusive Walking Safaris, Maasai Heritage & Remote Wilderness Experiences

Shompole Wilderness is in the South Rift of Kenya, within the Great Rift Valley – the largest valley on earth. It sits on community land of the Shompole Maasai people, between the Maasai Mara National Reserve to the northwest, Amboseli National Park to the southeast, and the Kenya-Tanzania border just to the south.

The Rift Valley is the ‘cradle of mankind’. It also holds the highest diversity of birds and mammals in Africa. In Shompole alone you’ll find 21 carnivore species, all the large mammals except rhino, and 435 bird species recorded.

Safari Map

Highlights

Scenic journey through the Ngong Hills, Lake Magadi, and the dramatic landscapes of the South Rift.
Visit the Olorgasailie Prehistoric Site, where early humans made stone tools over a million years ago.
Explore Shompole Wilderness Conservancy, a remote, unfenced wilderness on Maasai community land.
Enjoy unique walking safaris led by Maasai warriors in a region home to 21 carnivore species and 435 bird species.
Experience intimate wilderness camps, river wildlife along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, natural hot springs, and evenings under a sky full of stars.

Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Shompole Wilderness Conservancy

Leave Nairobi at dawn and drive south on Ngong Road past Karen and Kiserian. The Ngong Hills rise on your left – seven peaks the Maasai call the knuckles of a sleeping giant. Cattle and goats dot the red plains as you leave the city behind.

By mid-morning you reach Magadi town, the last stop for supplies. Just beyond it lies Lake Magadi, a vast white soda lake where flamingos feed. Steam rises from natural hot springs at the lake’s edge. The ground is warm and the air smells of sulfur.

The tarmac ends and the track begins. South of Magadi you’ll find Olorgasailie Prehistoric Site. A small museum sits at a fossilized riverbed where early humans made stone tools over a million years ago. Hand axes and flakes still lie on the ground where Homo erectus left them.

Beyond Olorgasailie the landscape turns wild. You drive across soda flats, climb escarpments, and cross dry riverbeds. Along the way you pass working Maasai manyattas – homesteads of thorn and mud where daily life continues as it has for centuries.

Further west, Lake Natron appears on the Tanzania side. From August to November it turns pink with millions of lesser flamingos. Behind it rises Gelai Volcano, sacred to the Maasai as the “Mountain of God”.

Arrive at the gate of Shompole Wilderness Conservancy, where the modern world stops. This is Maasai community land with no fences. Settle into your camp and spend the evening in the wilderness before ending the day under a sky full of stars.

Overnight at your chosen camp.

Day 2: Walking Safari in Shompole Wilderness

Shompole Wilderness is in the South Rift of Kenya, within the Great Rift Valley – the largest valley on earth. It sits on community land of the Shompole Maasai people, between the Maasai Mara National Reserve to the northwest, Amboseli National Park to the southeast, and the Kenya-Tanzania border just to the south.

The Rift Valley is the ‘cradle of mankind’. It also holds the highest diversity of birds and mammals in Africa. In Shompole alone you’ll find 21 carnivore species, all the large mammals except rhino, and 435 bird species recorded.

There are no vehicles here. The safari is on foot. Maasai warriors guide you as you track wildlife through grass, dust and rock.

Spend the day exploring the conservancy on foot with your Maasai guides before returning to camp for another evening in the wilderness.

Overnight at Shompole Wilderness.

Day 3: Ewaso Ng’iro River and Shompole Experiences

Choose to spend time at Shompole Hides, set along the Ewaso Ng’iro River at water level. From the hides you watch buffalo, crocs and birds come to drink. It’s rustic and immersive – perfect for river wildlife and birding.

Alternatively, enjoy the privacy of Ol Donyo Lodoso, a small camp deeper toward the border with only four tents and total privacy, or relax at Shompole Wilderness Camp, situated on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River. With just six tents and miles of land to explore, your stay feels both homely and wild at the same time. Elephants and giraffe often pass through camp at night.

As the day draws to a close, evenings end at the hot springs or in a manyatta, under a sky full of stars.

Overnight at your chosen camp.

Day 4: Shompole Wilderness to Nairobi

Enjoy a final morning in Shompole Wilderness before beginning the return journey to Nairobi through the dramatic landscapes of the South Rift.

From Nairobi to Shompole, the journey moves through geology, history and living culture. Dry season from June to October makes the walking best and turns Lake Natron pink.

Safari Price Includes

Safari Price Excludes

How The Shompole Hides Work

Everything you need to know about the Shompole Wilderness Hides.

How many wildlife Hides are there at Shompole Wilderness? +

We have two wildlife Hides at Shompole Wilderness. One is the Plains Hide which was our original Hide, and the other is called the Kichaka (or Bush) Hide which opened in July 2025. Both are situated across the river and a small drive away from the camp. They are about one and a half kilometres from each other and about 4 km from the camp.

Can I choose which Hide I stay in? +

When you book to stay at the camp, please express your interest in using the Hides and the managers will allocate you a Hide based on the groups that are in at the same time. You cannot book a particular Hide on a particular night unless you have the camp on an exclusive-use basis, which requires a minimum of eight full paying clients. While we will do best to accommodate your requests for a particular Hide, the standard procedure is that you will alternate between the two Hides each night if you want to use the Hides every night you are with us.

How do guests get to the Hides? +

As a general rule, most people depart for the Hides around 4 pm. It is a five-minute walk down to the river crossing, where you get into a small metal boat and are pulled across the river using a suspended rope. The banks on either side of the river are steep and also change depending on the river height. Then you get into a vehicle and drive about 15 minutes to the Hides.

What if I am unable to use the river crossing? +

If you feel you are in any way unable to use this river crossing you can still get to the Hides by driving directly from camp, but please note it is a dusty, bumpy road and will take at least 45 minutes one way. We would kindly like to know this before you arrive for planning purposes and it may require that you are ready to depart earlier, especially if you are sharing a vehicle with others who will be taking the boat.

How long can I stay in the Hide? +

The length of time you stay at the Hide is up to you but in general it is easiest for everyone using a particular Hide to agree on how long everyone will stay. Although it is not impossible to bring people back to the camp at different times, it is logistically tricky, and also disturbs the animals.

Can I spend the night in the Hide? +

Most people do indeed spend the entire night in the Hide (there are beds and a toilet in both Hides) and return to the camp in the morning for a breakfast or brunch. We provide meals and drinks in the Hide for the time you are there.

Will a guide accompany me? +

When you are in our Hides, you will be accompanied by one of our guides, who will be with you for the entire time. They are available to answer questions, help with the lighting and take turns watching for animals. They are local experts but not photographic experts.

Is there an additional cost to use the Hides? +

Finally, we just wanted to be clear that to use the Hides comes at no extra cost, but you do have to be a guest staying at Shompole Wilderness camp to access our Hides.

Is there anything else I should know? +

We look forward to welcoming you to stay.