About This Journey
Most Kenya itineraries run Amboseli, Nakuru and the Mara. This one swaps in Samburu, and it is the better trip for anyone who has been on safari before.
Samburu sits in the arid north on the Ewaso Ng'iro river, and it holds a set of species found nowhere in the southern parks — Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx and the long-necked gerenuk, collectively the 'Samburu Special Five'. The landscape is different too: doum palms, red earth and rock, rather than open plain.
From there the route drops back through the Rift Valley lakes for rhino and a boat safari, then finishes with three nights in the Mara. Three genuinely different ecosystems in a week.
Trip Highlights
- The Samburu Special Five — Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich
- The Ewaso Ng'iro river, where elephant and crocodile concentrate in the dry season
- Black and white rhino at Lake Nakuru
- A boat safari and walking on Crescent Island at Naivasha
- Three nights in the Masai Mara for the big cats
- Runs as a private trip or a scheduled small-group departure
Day by Day
Drive north from Nairobi past the shoulder of Mount Kenya and down into genuinely arid country. The change in landscape is abrupt and is the reason this route is worth taking.
Arrive at Samburu in the afternoon and take a first game drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro, the river that makes the reserve possible.
- LuxuryElephant Bedroom Camp · Saruni Samburu
- Mid-rangeSamburu Sopa Lodge · Ashnil Samburu Camp
- BudgetSamburu Riverside Camp
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
A full day working the reserve for species you will not see further south: Grevy's zebra with their narrow stripes and rounded ears, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk standing on their hind legs to browse, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.
Elephant come down to the river through the day, and Samburu has a long-standing reputation for leopard along the riverine forest. An optional visit to a Samburu community can be arranged.
- LuxuryElephant Bedroom Camp · Saruni Samburu
- Mid-rangeSamburu Sopa Lodge · Ashnil Samburu Camp
- BudgetSamburu Riverside Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A long transfer south-west, skirting Mount Kenya and dropping into the Rift Valley. Arrive at Nakuru in time for an afternoon game drive.
Nakuru is fenced and compact, which makes it one of the more reliable rhino parks in the country — both black and white.
- LuxurySarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
- Mid-rangeLake Nakuru Sopa Lodge · Flamingo Hill Camp
- BudgetLake Nakuru Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short hop to Naivasha, a freshwater lake fringed with fever trees. The afternoon is a boat safari among hippo and fish eagles, then the Crescent Island walk — on foot, among giraffe and zebra, with no predators about.
- LuxuryEnashipai Resort & Spa
- Mid-rangeLake Naivasha Sopa Resort · Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge
- BudgetCrayfish Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue south-west to the Mara and out on an afternoon game drive. After Samburu's dry scrub the sheer openness of the Mara lands differently.
- LuxuryGovernors' Camp · Sand River Masai Mara · Naboisho Camp
- Mid-rangeMara Intrepids Tented Camp · Mara Ngenche Safari Camp
- BudgetTalek Bush Camp · Oseki Maasai Mara Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Out at first light with a packed breakfast. A full day gives you the Triangle, the river and the cheetah plains, and — in season — the migration herds.
Optional dawn balloon flight over the reserve, landing to a bush breakfast.
- LuxuryGovernors' Camp · Sand River Masai Mara · Naboisho Camp
- Mid-rangeMara Intrepids Tented Camp · Mara Ngenche Safari Camp
- BudgetTalek Bush Camp · Oseki Maasai Mara Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A final morning drive, then road or light aircraft back to Nairobi for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
What's Included
Included
- 6 nights' accommodation at your chosen tier, with all meals as indicated
- Private or small-group 4×4 with a pop-up roof and a window seat each
- Professional Kenyan driver-guide throughout
- Lake Naivasha boat safari and Crescent Island walk
- All park, reserve and conservancy entry fees
- Airport transfers and bottled drinking water in the vehicle
Not Included
- International airfares
- Kenya eTA
- Travel and medical insurance
- Balloon safari, community visits and other optional activities
- Alcoholic drinks, tips and items of a personal nature
Accommodation
Elephant Bedroom Camp
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Enashipai Resort & Spa
Governors' Camp
Ready to Plan This Safari?
Every trip we run is private and tailored around you — your dates, your pace, your budget. Tell us what you have in mind and one of our safari planners will craft it into a detailed, costed proposal.
Quoted per person sharing. Samburu adds a long drive each way; flying that leg is worth pricing if your days are tight.
