3 Days Samburu Private Safari

Samburu sits well north of Kenya's usual safari circuit, and that distance is exactly what makes it worth the drive. The landscape shifts from the green highlands around Nairobi into a rugged, semi-arid region watered by the Ewaso Nyiro River, and the wildlife shifts along with it - species you simply will not encounter in the Mara or Amboseli, often referred to as the Samburu Special Five: the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich. Three days is enough to properly settle into the reserve without the trip becoming mostly a drive.

This is a private departure, with your vehicle, driver guide, and schedule set around your group. It's a strong choice either as a standalone short safari or as a genuinely different second trip for anyone who has already done the southern parks.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve

You will be picked up in Nairobi in the morning and driven north into Samburu's rugged semi-desert terrain, home to species rarely found elsewhere in Kenya - reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, vulturine guinea fowl, and more. The drive includes a stop at the equator for the classic demonstration and photos. You will arrive in time for lunch at your tented camp, rest, then head out for an evening game drive. Dinner and overnight at Umoja Tented Camp.

Day 2: Full Day in Samburu

A full day of game drives, morning and afternoon, with an optional visit to a Samburu village if you're interested in the culture behind the region as well as its wildlife. Dinner and overnight again at Umoja Tented Camp.

Day 3: Samburu to Nairobi

After breakfast, you will depart for Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon with lunch provided en route, and be dropped at your hotel or the airport.

From $480 USD per person

Best Time to Visit

June to October covers the dry season and is the most reliable window for game viewing. Samburu holds wildlife year-round thanks to the Ewaso Nyiro River, so it's also a reasonable choice outside peak months if your travel dates are fixed.

Good to Know

The drive to Samburu takes around 5 to 6 hours - a fair distance, but broken up by the equator stop and changing highland scenery along the way.

Samburu does not have wild rhino, so if seeing rhino is a priority, pair this with a stop at Lake Nakuru or Ol Pejeta instead.

Groups of 3 or more should confirm final per-person pricing with us directly before payment, since rates scale with group size.