Samburu National Reserve 3 Days / 2 Nights Safari

Early morning departure from Nairobi

Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel, residence or airport in Nairobi, ideally around 6:00 AM.

Drive north through the central highlands, passing through areas such as Nanyuki and the slopes of Mount Kenya before continuing toward Samburu County.

The landscape gradually changes from fertile highlands to the dry, rugged scenery of northern Kenya.

Lunch & Check-in

Arrive at your lodge or tented camp around lunchtime.

Have lunch, check in and take a short rest before beginning your first safari.

Afternoon Game Drive

Around 2:30–3:00 PM, depart for an afternoon game drive in Samburu National Reserve.

The reserve is particularly famous for the Samburu Special Five, including:

• 🦒 Reticulated giraffe
• 🦓 Grevy's zebra
• 🦌 Gerenuk
• 🐂 Beisa oryx
• 🐦 Somali ostrich

You may also see:

• 🦁 Lions
• 🐆 Leopards
• 🐘 Elephants
• 🐃 Buffaloes
• 🐆 Cheetahs
• 🦏 Other northern Kenya wildlife
• 🦅 Numerous bird species

The Ewaso Nyiro River is particularly important to wildlife in this dry landscape and can be a productive area for game viewing.

Return to your lodge around 5:30–6:00 PM.

Dinner and overnight in Samburu.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Samburu

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading out for a full-day game drive.

Early Morning Game Drive

Depart around 6:00 AM, when temperatures are cooler and wildlife is often more active.

Your guide will explore different sections of the reserve in search of wildlife.

This is your best opportunity to concentrate on the Samburu Special Five and other northern Kenya species.

The guide will also look for big cats, elephants and wildlife along the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Picnic Lunch

Enjoy a packed picnic lunch in a designated area before continuing with the safari.

A full-day game drive allows you to spend more time inside the reserve rather than returning to the lodge for lunch.

Afternoon Safari

Continue exploring the reserve in the afternoon.

Depending on wildlife movements, your guide may focus on areas where elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and predators have recently been sighted.

Return to the lodge around 5:30–6:00 PM.

Enjoy dinner and relax at the camp after a full day in the wilderness.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Samburu

Wake up early for breakfast.

Final Morning Game Drive

If time allows, depart around 6:00 AM for a final short game drive.

This gives you another opportunity to photograph wildlife and enjoy the beautiful Samburu landscape before leaving the reserve.

Return to the lodge for breakfast, then check out.

Begin the journey back to Nairobi.

You can stop in Nanyuki or another suitable location for lunch before continuing to Nairobi.

Expected arrival in Nairobi is approximately 4:00–6:00 PM, depending on road and traffic conditions.

Drop-off at your hotel, residence or another agreed location marks the end of your safari.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch