Overview
Experience the rugged beauty of northern Kenya with a visit to Samburu, known for its unique wildlife, including the Samburu Five—Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx.
Then, journey to Ol Pejeta, where you’ll encounter the endangered northern white rhino, the only sanctuary for chimpanzees in Kenya, and vast herds of elephants. This adventure brings you face-to-face with some of Kenya’s rarest wildlife in stunning, diverse landscapes.
Highlights
- See the endangered northern white rhino
- Track the Samburu Five
- Stunning, diverse landscapes
Itinerary
Depart Nairobi in the morning for a scenic 6-hour road trip to Samburu National Reserve. You’ll pass through central Kenya’s lush highlands before descending into the northern frontier. Arrive at your lodge or camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive in the dramatic landscapes of Samburu, known for its unique wildlife such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk. Return to your camp for dinner and overnight.
Enjoy a full day of game drives in Samburu. Begin with an early morning drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River, a lifeline for the park’s wildlife. Look out for elephants bathing, leopards in the shade, and the rare “Samburu Five.” Return for breakfast, relax at camp, and later head out for an afternoon game drive to explore more remote sections of the reserve. Return for dinner and overnight at your lodge.
After breakfast, depart Samburu and drive toward the Laikipia region—arriving at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive in this Big Five conservancy, which is also home to the last two northern white rhinos and the largest black rhino population in East Africa. You may also visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kenya. Later, return to your camp for dinner and overnight.
Start your final day with an early morning game drive in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where you’ll have the chance to spot the Big Five and rare species like the northern white rhinos and chimpanzees at the sanctuary. After the game drive, return to your lodge for breakfast, check out, and drive back to Nairobi (approx. 4.5 hours).
If time allows, you’ll be taken to Masai Market to shop for traditional Kenyan crafts and souvenirs. Finally, you’ll be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your evening flight.
Cost
Includes
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Samburu is known for its arid landscapes, Samburu culture, and rare wildlife species known as the Samburu Special Five — Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk.
Samburu lies in northern Kenya, about 5–6 hours by road from Nairobi, with daily 45-minute flights available to nearby airstrips.
Visitors enjoy sightings of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and the region’s distinctive northern Kenya species.
Ol Pejeta is famous for its rhino conservation programs, including being home to the last two northern white rhinos in the world, along with healthy populations of black and southern white rhinos.
Ol Pejeta sits in Laikipia County, roughly 3–4 hours by road from Nairobi, with daily flights to Nanyuki followed by a short transfer to the conservancy.
Guests can enjoy game drives, chimpanzee sanctuary visits, lion tracking, rhino encounters, horse riding safaris, and scenic views of Mount Kenya.
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