Annual Festivals in Samburu

Maralal Camel Derby: Wildly Adventurous

The three day Maralal Camel Derby, held yearly between August 24th and 26th, celebrates camel racing and attracts participants and spectators from around the world. It is an exuberant social affair and the major event on the Maralal Calendar. Now a weighty calendar event in Kenya, aptly showcasing the diversity of not only the thrilling cultures in Samburu, Maralal Camel Derby is also one of Kenya’s most colorful cultural events, where camels and their jockeys—both experienced racers and enthusiastic beginners—race across the scenic, rugged outback of Samburu.

The showstoppers at the festival are the 10 km camel race and the fun-triathlon of running, biking and camel riding. It was kick-started by the Kenya Tourism Board as a way of reconciling the fascinating communities in Samburu County that were eternally warring. And, as such, Maralal Camel Derby is also graced by traditional songs and dances. The last day the festival carries several activities like the camel marathon, donkey and black mamba bike races, and an éclat award ceremony.

Apart from these races, the festival also features cultural exhibitions, traditional dances, and local handicrafts, giving visitors a taste of the vibrant Samburu and Turkana cultures. Many participants are from neighboring communities. The event serves as a platform for cultural exchange and tourism in a lesser-known part of Kenya while also helping to support the local fork economically. Whether you’re there to race, cheer, or simply soak up the festivities, the Maralal Camel Derby is a unique experience that captures Kenya’s adventurous spirit and cultural diversity.

There are a variety of festivals throughout the year in Kenya, celebrating the diverse cultures, traditions, music, art, and wildlife. These annual festivals offer opportunities for cultural exchange, entertainment and exploration, allowing visitors to experience the vibrant and dynamic spirited cultures of Kenya.

A Guide to Festivals in Kenya

January - Koroga Festival, Simot Falls Festival, Diani Ngalawa Regatta, Nairobi Restaurant Week, The Great Grevy’s Rally, February - Africa Nouveau Festival, Lamu Painters Festival, Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Festival, The 10 to 4 Mountain Bike Challenge, Kakamega Bullfighting Festival, Eloko Music and Beer Festival, Safaricom International Jazz Festival, March - The 10 day Mount Kenya Festival, Watamu Fishing and Marlin Championship, Shika Foam Festival, First Lady’s Half Marathon, Lamu Yoga Festival, Barclays Kenya Open, Nairobi Film Festival, Kisumu International Carnival, April - Firi Festival, Lamu Food Festival, Safari Rally, Tobongu Lore, X-treme Expo, Micasa Sucasa, May - Kite Festival, The Mugie Annual Rangeland and Pastrolist Show, Faraja White Water Rafting Challenge, Kilifi Longa Tango Festival, June - Rhino Charge, The Annual Wildebeest Migration, Cake Festival, Safaricom Marathon, July - Mawimbi Festival, Desert Wheel Race, The Mwea Marathon, Watamu Rugby Festival, August - Kenya Music Festival, Mekatilili wa Menza Festival, Tharaka Festival, Maralal International Camel Derby, Art and Beer Festival, Kalacha Cultural Festival, Turkana Festival, September - Blankets and Wine Festival, East African Arts and Culture Festival, The Chemususu Dam Marathon, To Hell’s Gate in a Wheelbarrow, Lokiriama Peace Festival, Concours d’Elegance, Storymoja Festival, Ndakaini Half Marathon, Earth Dance Nairobi, October - Slum Film Festival, Magical Kenya Travel Expo, Global March for Elephants, Rhinos and Lions, Annual Goat Derby, Diani Beach Music Festival, November - Safaricom Sevens, Mombasa Festival, Sigalagala Festival, Lamu Fishing Festival, Laikipia Cultural Festival, Jumia Black Friday Festival, Lamu Cultural Festival, Sawa Sawa Festival, AAR Health Kenya Trees for Health, Rusinga Island Festival, East African Classic Safari Rally, Nairobi Fashion Week, Kilimani Street Festival, December - Tsavo Run, Kisumu Fashion Week, Diani Beach Festival, Lamu Triathlon, Maulidi Festival, Kimalel Goat Auction, Maragoli Cultural Festival, Hakuna Matata Festival

Samburu County, in northern Kenya, offers stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife. Known for its stunning mountains, hills, remote wilderness, traditional Samburu culture, and less-visited national reserves, the county provides an authentic experience away from the popular safari circuit.

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Explore Destinations Nearby Maralal Camel Derby

A Guide to Samburu County

A Summa Digest of Samburu

About Samburu Way Back When

50 Destinations in Samburu County , arranged as one would visit these - south, north, west then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Shaba National Reserve , Buffalo Springs National Reserve , Ashnil Samburu Camp , Archer's Post , Chanler’s Falls , Umoja Cultural Village , Nashipa Eco Camp , Lion's Cave Camp , Samburu National Reserve , Samburu Sopa Lodge , Samburu Intrepids Camp , Ewaso Lions , Kalama Conservancy , Saruni Samburu Lodge , Westgate Conservancy , Rhodia Mann Museum , Meibai Conservancy , Mount Ololokwe , Namunyak Community Conservancy , Sarara Camp , Singing Wells , Reteti Sanctuary , Mathews Range , Kitich Camp , Sera Conservancy , Saruni Rhino Camp , Ndoto Mountains , Mlima Tatu, Ngurunit , Ngurunit Rock Pools , Camp Ndotto , Mount Nyiru , Desert Rose , El Barta , Samburu Hills , Baragoi Deanery , Nachola Site , Napong Hills, Losiolo Escarpment , Emuruangogolak , Kirisia Forest , Ngari Hill Lodge , Maralal Safari Lodge , Yale Camp, Maralal Camel Derby , Kenyatta House Maralal , Loroghi Plateau , Engare Narok Sanctuary, Lake Mbaringon

Know More About Samburu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Air Like In Samburu?

Samburu is almost always hot! The driest months are January and February. The mean annual temperature is 29 o C, with fast blowing winds especially on the lowlands. Rain is temporal and erratic.

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.25?

Over 80% of Samburu lies within the fragile arid to semi-arid ecological vast block of Kenya. Altitude, excepting the ranges and mountains, varies from 2040 ms to 600 ms asl.

Know More About Samburu County…