Kenya
8-Day Northern Kenya: Samburu, Ol Pejeta & Lewa
Away from the crowds: the Samburu Special Five, rhino conservation in Ol Pejeta and Lewa, and a night at an Aberdare tree lodge.
Price on request
Samburu County, northern Kenya
Samburu
The “Samburu Special Five” on the Ewaso Ng’iro river
- Country
- Kenya
- Region
- Samburu County, northern Kenya
- Type
- Kenya Safari
- Best months to visit
- Jun–Oct, Dec–Mar
Overview
Samburu National Reserve lies in Kenya’s semi-arid north, where the Ewaso Ng’iro river draws a green ribbon of doum palms and acacias through red, rocky country. Life gathers along the river, making game viewing rewarding, especially in the dry season.
The reserve is home to the Samburu people, close relatives of the Maasai, known for their colourful beadwork.
- Samburu Special Five
- Elephants at the river
- Excellent leopard sightings
- Samburu culture
What you'll see
The “Samburu Special Five”: reticulated giraffe, Grévy’s zebra, beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich — all species adapted to dry country and rarely seen further south. Leopard, lion, cheetah and large herds of elephant are also regulars.
Wildlife you may see
- Elephant (Big Five)
- Lion (Big Five)
- Leopard (Big Five)
- Cheetah
- Reticulated giraffe
- Grévy's zebra
- Beisa oryx
- Gerenuk
- Somali ostrich
- Nile crocodile
Things to do
- 01
Game drives
Follow the river where wildlife gathers to drink.
- 02
Samburu village visit
Meet a Samburu community and learn about their traditions.
- 03
Guided walks
Short walks with Samburu guides in neighbouring conservancies.
Best time
- Jan: Great time
- Feb: Great time
- Mar: Great time
- Apr: Possible
- May: Possible
- Jun: Great time
- Jul: Great time
- Aug: Great time
- Sep: Great time
- Oct: Great time
- Nov: Possible
- Dec: Great time
The dry months from June to October and December to March are best. The reserve is hot all year.
Getting there
About 5–6 hours by road from Nairobi via Nanyuki, or a scheduled flight to the Kalama or Samburu airstrips.
Where to stay
Luxury
Riverside tented camps with views over the Ewaso Ng’iro.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Comfort
Lodges in the reserve and neighbouring Buffalo Springs.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Budget
Simple camps outside the reserve gates.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Gallery
Journeys that visit Samburu
- 8 days
