Top 5 Hidden Campsites in Kenya
- BLACK LEOPARD 4X4 HIRE
- Oct 8
- 11 min read
If you are planning a self-drive safari and want to experience Kenya’s wild side, far from the lodges and tourist convoys, these five camps truly reward the effort. Each one requires a proper 4x4 to reach, and that is part of the adventure.
All of these spots are reachable from Nairobi in one to two days, making them perfect for long weekends or the first leg of a bigger loop. Bring supplies, check your tyres, and don’t rush. Half the joy is in the drive.
1) Shaba National Reserve – Robin Hurt’s Special Campsite (along the Ewaso Nyiro)
⏱️ Approx. 6–7 hours from Nairobi via Isiolo – Archer’s Post – Shaba Gate
Best time: June to October (dry season)
If you want a truly wild northern escape without pushing as far as Turkana, Shaba National Reserve is one of the most underrated parks in Kenya. Sharing the same ecosystem as Samburu and Buffalo Springs but far quieter, Shaba offers an extraordinary mix of volcanic outcrops, desert palms, and riverine forests along the Ewaso Nyiro River.
The reserve’s four main campsites – Dudubatu, Dakadima, Robin Hurt’s, and Funan – are set in beautiful positions near the river or inland among volcanic hills. Robin Hurt’s Special Campsite, located directly along the Ewaso Nyiro, is the pick for overlanders looking for seclusion, shade, and direct access to wildlife corridors.
Access & Conditions:
Drive north via Isiolo and Archer’s Post to reach Shaba Gate. Roads to the gate are in fair condition and suitable for SUVs or safari vans, but once inside the park, you’ll want a high-clearance 4x4 to fully explore the tracks and viewpoints. The terrain alternates between lava outcrops and sandy riverbeds. A GPS-based navigation app like Maps.me is invaluable since the park is poorly signposted.
Accommodation & Facilities:
All campsites are completely unfenced and have no facilities. You’ll need to be fully self-sufficient with water, food, and camping gear. Water can be refilled at the ranger stations if needed, and Sarova Shaba Lodge sits just outside the park if you need accommodation before or after your stay. Joy’s Camp (the former luxury lodge on Joy Adamson’s site) remains closed indefinitely.
Why it’s special:
Shaba feels raw and untouched. The volcanic ridges, wide acacia plains, and the slow-moving Ewaso Nyiro create a landscape that feels entirely different from other reserves in Kenya. At night, the stars feel impossibly close, and the only sounds are the river and distant calls of nightjar and hyena.
Good to know:
There is no mobile signal (Safaricom) inside the reserve; last proper reception is at the gate.
Campsites must be booked through the county, and rangers are mandatory (two per group).
Travel with a group to split the mandatory ranger and campsite booking fees.
Fuel up in Isiolo; there are no services or shops beyond the town.
Self-sufficiency is key: no toilets, water points, or bins are provided.
Park & Camping Fees (per day):
Entry fees: Citizens KES 500 / Residents KES 1,000 / Non-Residents (approx. USD 70, covers Shaba, Samburu & Buffalo Springs)
Camping fees: Citizens KES 500 / Residents KES 1,000
Campsite booking fee (one-off): KES 7,500 per group
Ranger fee: KES 1,500 per ranger, per day (two required)
Contact: Mohamed – +254 713 005 065 (Shaba County Ranger Office)
Local Tip:
Shaba’s structure still favours guided mobile safaris, but self-drive adventurers are welcome. If you’re aiming for that special wilderness experience, arrive prepared, plan your route, and travel with respect for both the park and its rangers.
Useful links:
2) Chyulu Hills National Park – Satellite Campsite
⏱️ Approx. 5–6 hours from Nairobi via Emali or Mtito Andei
Best time: June to October or January to March (dry, clear)
Few places in Kenya inspire such devotion among repeat visitors as the Chyulu Hills. From a distance they look like gentle, green waves of earth rising between Tsavo and Amboseli, but up close they reveal one of the most atmospheric, otherworldly landscapes in the country.
The first visit can be humbling – the roads are brutal, the climbs long, and the weather unpredictable – but it’s worth every bump. Once you reach the Satellite Campsite near the top ridge, the effort melts away into misty mornings, sweeping views, and some of the most peaceful camping anywhere in Kenya.
Access & Conditions:
The Chyulu Hills lie in Makueni County, forming a natural boundary between Kamba land to the east and Maasai group ranches to the west. Access is via the KWS gate near Kibwezi or Makindu, and from there it’s roughly 28 kilometres (two hours) of solid volcanic rock to the top. Average speed: about 10 km/h.
This route demands a proper 4x4 with low range, and drivers should fit a grass-catcher to protect the radiator from seeds that can cause overheating. The ascent twists and climbs continuously, rewarding you with vast views of the plains below and Kilimanjaro shimmering in the distance.
Accommodation & Facilities:
There are three main campsites inside the park – Satellite Camp, Kisula Caves Camp, and Kithasyo Camp near headquarters.
Satellite Camp sits high on the ridge and offers the best views, but it has no facilities at all, so total self-sufficiency is required.
Kisula Caves Camp has a simple shelter, benches, and long-drop toilets.
Firewood must be carried in, as there is none available inside the park.
Water is available at HQ but not at the campsites themselves.
If you prefer something more luxurious, there are two high-end lodges nearby: Campi Ya Kanzi and Ol Donyo Lodge, both located on the Maasai-owned ranches along the western slopes.
Why it’s special:
At nearly 2,200 metres above sea level, the Chyulu Hills are often cloaked in mist. Each morning feels like a world reborn – the air is cool, the grass sparkles, and you can see the entire Amboseli plain stretching to the horizon. Evenings bring fiery sunsets and strong winds, followed by complete silence under a sky full of stars.
It’s also a vital ecosystem: rain and mist captured by these hills filter through volcanic rock for over 20 years before emerging as the crystal-clear waters of Mzima Springs in Tsavo and the Galana River.
Good to know:
The final climb to Satellite Camp takes about two hours of slow driving on lava rock.
Camps are completely open; you do not need to hire a ranger, but this is a true wilderness area with wildlife, so use caution.
Satellite Camp has limited shade and can get windy in the evenings.
Bring everything you need, including food, water, and firewood.
There is limited or no phone reception on the ridge.
Park & Camping Fees (per day):
Entry fees: Citizens KES 500 / Residents KES 1,000 / Non-Residents USD 35
Camping fees: Citizens KES 500 / Residents KES 1,000 / Non-Residents USD 20 (public campsite)
Contact: KWS Chyulu Office – +254 711 574 766 or chyulunp@kws.go.ke
Local Tip:
Bring a kite for the kids (and adults) – the ridge winds are perfect. If you love hiking, a short climb up Satellite Hill gives panoramic views of the range. It’s a photographer’s dream at both sunrise and sunset.
Useful links:
3) Aberdare National Park – Gukururu Special Campsite (Hidden Waterfall Haven)
⏱️ Approx. 5 hours from Nairobi via Nyeri or Nanyuki
Best time: December to March and July to October
Perched deep within the misty moorlands of Aberdare National Park, Gukururu Campsite is a secret known to only the most adventurous travellers. It’s not marked on Google Maps and is rarely mentioned in travel blogs, yet it’s one of Kenya’s most magical camping spots, a quiet glade beside a private waterfall that you can shower under after a long day of driving.
The Aberdares are famous for their dramatic contrasts: dense bamboo forests, alpine moors, and plunging valleys wrapped in cloud. Gukururu sits right in the heart of it all, surrounded by giant heather and crystal-clear streams that tumble through volcanic rock.
Access & Conditions:
The campsite lies off one of the old park tracks once shown on early KWS maps. The road is overgrown in parts but passable with a low-range 4x4. You’ll likely see tyre marks from the occasional overlander or fisherman. From the main road, it’s roughly a 500-metre drive down to the site itself, opening into a small clearing perfect for one or two vehicles.
The track can be slippery and steep after rain, and dense vegetation hides much of the view until you reach the glade. Once there, the setting is unforgettable, a secluded clearing beside a clear mountain stream and a small waterfall that doubles as your shower.
Accommodation & Facilities:
Space for one or two vehicles only, ideal for small groups.
Completely wild camping: no facilities (no toilets, fire pits, or running water beyond the stream).
The waterfall provides clean, cold mountain water for washing and limited use.
Access to fuel, food, and supplies in Nyeri or Nanyuki before entry.
Why it’s special:
It’s the kind of place you dream about after months on the road – a hidden pocket of wilderness, quiet and private, where you can fish for trout, cook by the stream, and fall asleep to the sound of rushing water. When the mist clears, the skies open to blue, and the surrounding forest glows in golden evening light.
Good to know:
Bring everything you need, including firewood and warm gear – nights are cold and damp.
GPS coordinates for Gukururu are not officially listed; ask rangers for directions once in the park.
Roads in Aberdare are steep and muddy after rain, so 4x4 and good tyres are essential.
Be alert for buffalo in the area, especially near streams and clearings.
Fishing for trout is possible with a permit.
Park & Camping Fees (per day):
Entry fees: Citizens KES 500 / Residents KES 1,000 / Non-Residents USD 60
Camping fees: Citizens KES 500 / Residents KES 1,000 / Non-Residents USD 20
Contact: KWS Aberdare Office – +254 711 607 381 or aberdarenp@kws.go.ke
Local Tip:
If you can, plan your arrival mid-morning when the mist lifts and sunlight filters through the trees. It’s an ideal moment to photograph the waterfall or take a brisk natural shower before the afternoon chill returns.
4) Soysambu Conservancy – Pelican Special Campsite
⏱️ Approx. 2–2.5 hours from Nairobi, via Gilgil / Nakuru roads
Best time: Year-round, ideally in dry season windows
Tucked along the eastern shores of Lake Elmenteita, inside Soysambu Conservancy, Pelican Campsite is a quiet, scenic spot that feels a world away from the main safari circuit. It’s the kind of place that rewards early risers and slow mornings. At dawn, the lake glows pink with flamingos, pelicans skim the water in formation.
Most travellers to Elmenteita stay in the nearby lodges, but Pelican is for those who prefer simplicity – just a tent, a campfire, and the calls of birds echoing over the water. It’s rustic, peaceful, and ideal for photographers or anyone needing a pause between Kenya’s busier national parks.
Access & Conditions:
Getting to Pelican is easy enough – it’s about 30-40 minutes from the main Soysambu Conservancy gate. The roads are mostly smooth but can get muddy or soft after rain, so a high-clearance 4x4 is recommended.
As you approach the lake, the landscape opens up dramatically. The view across to the Sleeping Warrior Hills is incredible, and along the way you’re likely to see giraffe, zebra, eland, and gazelle wandering freely.
Accommodation & Facilities:
Pelican Campsite is one of Soysambu’s designated special campsites, jointly managed by Soysambu Conservancy and KWS as part of the Lake Elmenteita Wildlife Sanctuary.
Facilities are nonexistent, however, firewood available on request.
Bring your own tent, food, water, and cooking gear, as this is a true self-catering experience.
Wildlife often passes nearby, so pack away food at night and keep torches handy.
Why it’s special:
There are very few places in Kenya where you can legally camp right beside a Rift Valley lake, and Pelican is one of them. The mornings are pure magic, mist lifting off the water, pelicans close to shore, and Mount Eburru silhouetted in the distance.
It’s also perfectly located as a midpoint between Nairobi, Nakuru, and the Mau Escarpment, making it an easy stopover for road trips linking Kenya’s central highlands with the Rift Valley’s wild spaces.
Good to know:
Book in advance through Soysambu Conservancy before travelling.
There’s good mobile reception near the campsite.
The nearest supplies, fuel, and food markets are in Gilgil or Nakuru.
Avoid driving too close to the lakeshore after dark – the ground can be soft.
The lake breeze picks up at night, so bring strong tent pegs and a warm jacket.
Park & Camping Fees / Administration Info:
Rates valid as of 2024–2025. Always confirm before travel.
Soysambu Conservancy Entry Fees (per day):
Kenyan Citizens / Residents: KES 1,500 per adult, KES 500 per child
Non-Residents: USD 35 per adult, USD 20 per child
Pelican Campsite (Special Campsite) Fees:
Citizens / Residents: KES 2,500 per adult per night, KES 1,000 per child
Non-Residents: USD 40 per adult per night, USD 25 per child(Firewood available at approx. KES 1,000 per bundle on request.)
Useful links:
5) Ndoto Mountains / Ngurunit – Lasamu Camp (Foothills of the North)
⏱️ Approx. 9–10 hours from Nairobi via Isiolo, Laisamis, or South Horr
Best time: June to September (cooler and greener after the rains)
Google Maps: View Ngurunit Village
At the edge of the Ndoto Mountains, in a valley carved by dry riverbeds and framed by towering granite peaks, lies Lasamu Camp, one of Northern Kenya’s most peaceful and authentic camping experiences.
Reaching Ngurunit feels like a true expedition. The drive from Laisamis takes you across open desert plains and river luggas, through landscapes that seem to change every few kilometres. When the Milgis Lugga is in flood, travellers take the detour via Logo Logo, a longer but stunning route that winds through red sand tracks and scattered acacia. It’s an adventure in itself – the kind that reminds you why you love overlanding.
Access & Conditions:
Lasamu Camp sits just outside Ngurunit Village, at the foot of the Ndoto range, where the mountains rise sharply from the desert floor. The camp is within the homestead of the Lemunyete family, one of the first to settle here in the 1970s, and remains proudly community-run.
The final approach is on well-graded murram roads, with the last 10 kilometres often corrugated. The area is hot and dry, so it’s best to travel early or late in the day to avoid the midday heat. A 4x4 is required year-round due to sandy patches and occasional flooding in the luggas.
Accommodation & Facilities:
Shaded camping area beneath large acacia trees, perfect for escaping the northern sun.
Showers and long-drop toilets available, though water is limited – bring your own supply.
10 small single tents for hire (KES 1,000 per night).
A few simple manyattas and rooms are available for guests who prefer not to camp.
No on-site restaurant; you must be self-sufficient for food and drink, though local meals can be arranged with prior notice for large groups.
Why it’s special:
Lasamu feels like another world. Timeless, warm, and welcoming. The surrounding valley is alive with colour and contrast: ochre earth, silver river sand, and the emerald ridges of the Ndoto range.
Days start with the sound of birds and the distant jingling of camel bells. You can hike to the natural rock pools and waterfalls about 1.5 km from camp, where cool mountain streams tumble down polished rock slides, an unexpected oasis in this arid land. The evenings are spectacular: golden light on the cliffs, followed by nights spent under a full moon on the warm, sandy lugga.
Hikers can tackle nearby Mount Poi or Aldera Hill, while those looking for a slower pace can visit the village, watch a local football match, or simply relax under the trees.
Good to know:
There is no mobile network in Ngurunit (for any provider): expect to disconnect completely.
The last major town for supplies is Isiolo, so stock up before heading north.
Water is scarce; carry both potable and non-potable reserves.
Camping costs: KES 500 per person per night.
Plan your visit just after the rains, when the landscape is lush, pools are full, and temperatures are manageable.
Contact: Stephen Labarakwe – 📞 +254 706 385 905 / ✉️ lasamucamp@gmail.com
Why you’ll love it:
A trip to Ngurunit and the Ndoto Mountains offers a kind of Kenya that’s rarely seen in guidebooks, no luxury lodges, no curated “cultural experiences,” just genuine, day-to-day life among the Samburu and Rendille communities who have lived here for generations.
There’s a real magic in that simplicity. It’s the kind of place where strangers become friends around a fire, where stories flow under the stars, and where time slows down in the best possible way.
Useful links:
Acknowledgements
This guide wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible work of Kenya’s overlanding and travel community. Their firsthand stories, detailed maps, and honest reflections help keep the spirit of road travel alive.
Special thanks to:
Kenyan Camper – kenyancamper.com
A must-read for independent travellers exploring Kenya by 4x4. Detailed trip reports, campsite reviews, and witty storytelling from across the country.
Jambo Nairobi – jambonairobi.co.ke
Beautiful photo essays and field notes from Kenya’s hidden corners, including Mount Poi and the Ndoto Mountains.
Armchair Bushman – armchairbushman.com
Deep dives into Kenya’s wilderness areas and community conservancies, with thoughtful, practical guides for self-drivers.
Rupi Mangat – rupimangat.com
Longtime travel writer and conservation journalist, whose articles and columns in The Nation and Travel Africa Magazine continue to showcase East Africa’s wild beauty.
If you’re planning your own adventure, these blogs are invaluable for route ideas, campsite tips, and inspiration from those who’ve driven the same tracks before you.
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