5-Day Samburu and Ol Pejeta Conservancy Safari from Nairobi

After an early pick-up from your Nairobi hotel, the drive north passes Thomson's Falls and the town of Nanyuki before reaching Samburu National Reserve, arriving in time for lunch. An afternoon game drive follows along the Ewaso Nyiro River, the lifeline of this semi-arid landscape.

Distance: Approximately 325 km, 5 to 6 hours driving

Activity: Drive north via Nanyuki, afternoon game drive

Accommodation: Lodge in Samburu National Reserve

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

A full day of morning and afternoon game drives covers Samburu's riverine forest and dry savannah. Sitting north of the equator, Samburu is home to a set of drought-resistant species rarely seen further south, including the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, the long-necked gerenuk, and the Beisa oryx, alongside healthy populations of elephant, lion and leopard along the river.

Distance: Morning and afternoon game drives

Activity: Full day of game viewing

Accommodation: Lodge in Samburu National Reserve (second night)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a final morning game drive, the route continues south to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, arriving in time for lunch. An afternoon game drive follows, with the chance to view plains game and visit the conservancy's chimpanzee sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kenya.

Distance: Morning game drive in Samburu, then road transfer to Ol Pejeta

Activity: Game drive and chimpanzee sanctuary visit

Accommodation: Lodge in Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A full day of game drives covers Ol Pejeta's rhino sanctuary, one of the largest black rhino populations in East Africa, alongside the last remaining northern white rhinoceros in the world, kept under permanent protection within the conservancy. Lion, elephant, and a healthy predator population round out the day, alongside the option of a guided walk near the rhino enclosure.

Distance: Game drives within Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Activity: Morning and afternoon game drives

Accommodation: Lodge in Ol Pejeta Conservancy (second night)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, the drive returns to Nairobi, with clear-weather views of Mount Kenya's peak along the way. Arrival in Nairobi is by early afternoon, bringing the safari to a close.

Distance: Road transfer from Ol Pejeta to Nairobi

Activity: Travel day and departure

Accommodation: N/A, end of safari

Meals: Breakfast

Extend your trip

Want the Mara and Lake Nakuru added too? See the existing 7-Day Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Samburu Safari. Want our full 10-day grand circuit covering the north and south? See our 10-Day Grand Kenya Safari.