Samburu
Samburu & Laikipia Wilderness
Nine days in Kenya's wild north, the Samburu Special Five, rhino tracking on foot and walking safaris in private conservancies where you will rarely see another vehicle.
- Duration
- 9 days
- Nights
- 8 nights
- Group size
- Private (your party only)
- Best time
- June to October and December to March
- Accommodation
- Two private conservancy camps and one Samburu lodge
This is a safari for travellers who have done the classic circuit, or who want to avoid it entirely. Northern Kenya is drier, emptier and considerably wilder than the Maasai Mara, and the two regions we use here, Samburu and Laikipia, offer wildlife and experiences you cannot have anywhere else in the country.
Samburu gives you the Special Five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich, none of which occur in the southern parks. Laikipia, a plateau of private conservancies and working ranches, offers something rarer still: the freedom to drive off-road, to walk, and to run night drives with a spotlight.
Rhino tracking on foot with an armed ranger, wild dog, and one of the largest elephant populations in Kenya are all realistic possibilities. Because these conservancies are private, you will often have a sighting entirely to yourselves.
Highlights
- The Samburu Special Five, found nowhere else in Kenya
- Rhino tracking on foot with an armed ranger
- Night drives and off-road driving in private conservancies
- Authentic Samburu cultural visits with local guides
- Kenya's least crowded safari regions
Day by day
Your itinerary in full
- 01
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi
Met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Karen. Evening at leisure.
Overnight · Nairobi hotel
- 02
Day 2
Fly north to Samburu
A morning flight north over the Aberdare range to Samburu. Game drive en route to camp along the Ewaso Nyiro river, then an afternoon drive for the Special Five.
Overnight · Samburu lodge
- 03
Day 3
The Ewaso Nyiro river
A full day following the river, which concentrates elephant, buffalo and lion during the dry months. Excellent leopard country. Optional visit to a Samburu village in the afternoon.
Overnight · Samburu lodge
- 04
Day 4
Samburu at dawn
Early drive for the best light and the most active wildlife, followed by a late breakfast. Afternoon at leisure and an evening drive along the riverbed.
Overnight · Samburu lodge
- 05
Day 5
Across to Laikipia
Drive south onto the Laikipia plateau into a private conservancy. Afternoon walking safari with a Maasai or Samburu tracker, learning to read tracks and signs.
Overnight · Laikipia conservancy camp
- 06
Day 6
Rhino tracking on foot
A morning tracking black and white rhino on foot with an armed conservancy ranger, one of the most memorable hours you can spend in Africa. Afternoon game drive and a night drive after dinner.
Overnight · Laikipia conservancy camp
- 07
Day 7
Wild dog and the open plateau
Laikipia holds one of Kenya's most important wild dog populations. A full day exploring the conservancy, with off-road driving to follow a hunt or sit with a lion pride for as long as you wish.
Overnight · Laikipia conservancy camp
- 08
Day 8
Conservation and community
An optional morning visit to a community conservation or research project, then a final afternoon drive. Sundowners on the plateau to mark the end of the safari.
Overnight · Laikipia conservancy camp
- 09
Day 9
Return to Nairobi and departure
A final morning drive, then a short flight back to Nairobi with a day room before your international departure.
What is included
- Internal light aircraft flights
- Eight nights on a full-board basis
- All game drives, walks and night drives with a professional guide
- Rhino tracking with a conservancy ranger
- All park, conservancy and concession fees
- Airport meet-and-greet and ground transfers
- 24-hour UK and Kenya-based support
Not included
- International flights
- Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA)
- Travel insurance and gratuities
- Drinks and spa treatments
Enquire
Enquire about this itinerary
Send us your dates and party details and we will confirm availability, suggest the best camps for your season, and return an itemised quotation.
Prefer to talk it through? +44 20 3000 0000