Few vacations offer "rifle support." As you trek across the tribal lands of Kenya, though, it may come in handy. "Kenya: Uncharted Frontiers," by adventure travel firm A&K Extreme Adventures puts you knee-deep in rhino, lion and hyena habitats. Surrender the decadence of an expert wine pairing for meals in a mess tent, as you navigate wilderness, explore mountains and swim among waterfalls.

This is not a typical vacation. The Kenyan excursion lasts 10 days, with each pushing the adrenaline throttle farther forward. Guests should be ready for a demanding physical experience. Mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking in forests and valleys put you face-to-face with the brutal and beautiful landscape. Transportation by biplane and helicopter obviates the need for rental cars. Travel on water is powered by arms and legs. So, if you have visions of a chair by the pool and a Cohiba between your lips, look elsewhere.

Expert guides lead each group; you aren't dropped into Kenya to find your own way. With an intimate knowledge of the terrain and equipment, they bring thrill-seekers to the points missed by conventional tours. Toby Fenwick Wilson, the A&K guide for this experience, says, "In the Northern Frontier of Kenya, you will find one of the truly wild places remaining on the face of the Earth. The nomads of this desert region hold onto a life forgotten in almost all other places in Africa." From the back of a camel in the Nandaguru Plain, you'll get a sense of what Wilson means. "En route" takes on a new meaning.

Show up in shape; leave with your heart pounding. "Kenya: Uncharted Frontiers" is designed to put you in touch with a unique type of travel experience. By mixing fear, discovery and excitement in a part of the world that few ever experience, you will board the flight home with a taste for life on the edge.

A&K Extreme Adventures "Kenya: Uncharted Frontiers"

Tom Johansmeyer

9/2/08