Wildlife ToursIf you want to sleep in the real northern Kenya bush, a Loisaba fly camping trip deserves a spot near the top of your list. This Loisaba fly camping guide doubles as a practical camping safari checklist, covering flights, fees, camps, and what happens at 5 a.m.
Loisaba Fly Camping Guide: What to Expect
Loisaba fly camping is a private overnight bush experience in Kenya’s Laikipia region, set up away from the main lodge or tented camp. Expect a simple canvas camp, guided wildlife viewing, dinner under the stars, and more isolation than a permanent lodge, while staff still handle meals, bedding, and safety.
- A dedicated fly camp is not a normal tented-camp room, and not a night at Loisaba Star Beds. It is a lightweight camp set up for your small group on a designated bush site.
- Guides set up tents, a table, and a washbasin while you are on an afternoon activity, so you return to lamplight and hot water.
- Dinner is cooked nearby, and you eat under the stars, then walk back to your tent by lantern.
- Mornings start cold. The ground is often damp at 5 a.m., so pack a fleece, closed shoes, and expect coffee before the game drive.
How to Get to Loisaba for a Fly-Camping Trip
The fastest route is a scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson to Loisaba or nearby Nanyuki, followed by a vehicle transfer. Private charters can land directly at Loisaba airstrip. Scheduled flights take about 45 to 60 minutes. Nanyuki-to-Loisaba transfers take about 1.5 to 2 hours. Driving from Nairobi takes 5 to 6 hours.
| Route | Typical time | Indicative cost to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson to Loisaba or nearby Nanyuki | 45 to 60 minutes by air, plus transfer | $250 to $350 one way per person |
| Private charter to Loisaba airstrip | 45 to 60 minutes direct | $800 to $1,500 per charter; share the cost across your group |
| Road via Nanyuki from Nairobi | 5 to 6 hours door to door | Fuel and transfer rates vary; ask your operator for a current quote |
Compare the two flying options if your trip is short, and if you self-drive, add time for gravel sections on the Laikipia route. Ask whether your camp package includes the transfer from Nanyuki or the airstrip, since many quotes leave out that final leg.
Loisaba Fly Camping Costs and What Is Included
There is no single public rate for every Loisaba fly-camping setup. Plan on the accommodation package plus transport, conservation fees, and activities. Conservancy fees run around $80 to $110 per person per night. Scheduled one-way flights cost around $250 to $350, and private charters run $800 to $1,500 per charter. Always confirm the current fly-camp quote before booking.
- Ask how many nights the accommodation package covers, and whether the fly camp is billed separately.
- Add conservancy and camping fees using the range above, then confirm the exact rate for your dates.
- Include your flight or road transfer, the cost people most often forget when comparing lodge rates.
- Check which activities are included. Guided walks and some game drives may be bundled or billed separately.
This full cost stack is what matters most on a Loisaba camping safari, more than any single headline price. When I plan this trip for BestCamp Safaris, I always put the flight cost next to the overnight quote before comparing options. See our Laikipia fly camping cost guide for a wider regional budget.
Best Camps and Fly-Camping Locations in Loisaba
Loisaba Tented Camp and Loisaba Star Beds are the main permanent accommodation options. Fly camping is arranged as a separate bush night, depending on season and operating conditions. Ask whether your quote includes a dedicated remote camp, a Star Beds night, or a temporary bush setup, since these are different experiences and price points.
Loisaba Tented Camp works well if you want a full-service room to return to after the bush night. Loisaba Star Beds gives you an open bed on a platform, which is not the same as a fly camp. A dedicated fly camp suits travelers who want the strongest sense of remoteness. If you are comparing choices, see our guide to choosing a Kenya fly camp so the location matches your comfort level.
Best Time to Go
July through October is the best window for Loisaba fly camping, since conditions are cool, dry, and easier for road transfers and outdoor activities. January and February can also be rewarding, with quieter camps. Rainier months bring greener scenery and fewer visitors, but access and camp schedules can be less predictable. Confirm seasonal operating dates before paying.
What to Pack for Loisaba Fly Camping
Pack light, neutral-colored clothing, a warm fleece, sturdy closed shoes, sun protection, a hat, binoculars, personal medication, and a soft-sided bag if flying. Loisaba’s elevation makes nights and early drives cool even when afternoons are hot. Light aircraft commonly cap soft-bag luggage at about 15 kg.
Start with a soft duffel, not a hard-shell suitcase, and layer for 5 a.m. and early evening since a warm jacket beats extra shirts. Add a head torch, lip balm, sunscreen, and personal medication to your daypack, and keep colors neutral for walking and game drives. Many of these items suit the wider region too. See our Samburu mobile camping packing list for a similar northern Kenya setup.
Activities and Wildlife Experiences
A Loisaba fly-camping stay can combine game drives with guided walks, camel experiences, mountain biking, fishing or rafting, and community visits. The appeal is variety, not only big-game viewing, giving you active ways to experience Laikipia alongside a remote night in the bush.
Do at least one early game drive and look for elephant, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and wild dog if you are lucky. Add a guided walk, since walking to the fly camp is often when the landscape truly opens up. Ask about the Ewaso Ng’iro River when water levels are good, since fishing and rafting depend on the season.
Safety, Comfort, and Practical Rules
Fly camping is comfortable but more exposed than a lodge stay. The operator should provide trained staff, a designated site, meals, water, bedding, and a clear night-safety plan. Loisaba restricts camping to designated or authorized sites and provides a ranger when its campsite is in use. You are responsible for carrying out waste.
Hear the night plan before sunset, and know where you can walk if wildlife moves through camp. Trust the camp staff in the dark and never wander beyond the lit area alone. Confirm that your operator handles waste removal, and carry a small personal first aid kit even when staff have a bigger one. Tell your operator about any medical condition before the trip, since a remote fly camp is not the place to test a new routine.
Your Next Step: Confirm Dates and Costs
The fastest way forward is to pick a date between July and October, or January and February. Then ask BestCamp Safaris for a quote that separates the accommodation package, conservancy fee, flight or charter, and the fly-camp overnight. Mention that you want a dedicated Loisaba fly camp, not a lodge night, and use our contact page to send your preferred dates. That message turns this checklist into a confirmed bush stay.
