8-Day Northern Kenya — The road less travelled — the arid north's rare species at Samburu, rhino at Ol Pejeta, a tree-hotel night in the Aberdares, and flamingo at Lake Nakuru
8 days · 7 nights · Best Jun – Oct & Jan – Mar
About this experience
For travellers who want the Kenya most itineraries skip. This northern loop takes in Samburu's own cast of species — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, the gerenuk — the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the last northern white rhinos and a chimpanzee sanctuary, a night in an Aberdare tree-hotel watching a floodlit waterhole, and Lake Nakuru's rhino and flamingo to finish. Rich, varied and refreshingly uncrowded.
Highlights
- Second-time safari-goers
- Rare northern species
- Rhino & tree-hotels
- Hand-picked lodges with great reviews
- Private vehicle and experienced driver-guide
Signature experiences
Optional add-ons our specialists can build into this trip. Prices are per person, confirmed on request.
Walk in with the conservancy's rhino monitors to approach black or white rhino on foot — a rare, close, conservation-led encounter.
Ride out among plains game that lets a horse far closer than a vehicle — for confident riders, one of the great ways to see the bush.
A boat out among the hippos and fish eagles of Naivasha, then a walk on Crescent Island where the game roams free.
After dark on a private conservancy, a spotlight picks out leopard, aardvark, bushbaby and the animals you never see by day.
Included
- Full-board accommodation in comfortable lodges & tented camps
- All park & reserve entry fees
- Private 4x4 · experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- All game drives as per itinerary
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
Not included
- International flights
- Kenya eVisa ($51 — we help you apply)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Optional experiences (see below)
- Drinks, tips & personal expenses
Price breakdown
The plan, day by day
From pickup to drop-off — exactly what your trip looks like.
Drive north past Mount Kenya to the Samburu National Reserve. Afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro river for the northern 'Special Five'.
A full day in the north — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, big elephant herds at the river, and leopard in the doum palms.
South to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Afternoon visit to the rhino sanctuary and the last two northern white rhinos on earth.
A full day at the conservancy — black and white rhino, big cats, and the Sweetwaters chimpanzee sanctuary. Optional lion-tracking or a night game drive.
Transfer to the Aberdare highlands and up into the forest to a tree-hotel above a floodlit waterhole — elephant, buffalo and rhino come to drink through the night.
A dawn watch over the waterhole, then down and across to Lake Nakuru. Afternoon drive for rhino, flamingo and Rothschild's giraffe.
A full day around the lake and the surrounding park — the flamingo flocks, the rhino sanctuary, and the Makalia Falls.
A final morning drive, then the scenic drive back to Nairobi (about three hours).
What travelers say
Guest reviews →Bookara guest rating
Meeting point
Your full route across Kenya — pickup confirmed the day before departure.
Drag to pan · pinch or buttons to zoom
- 01 NairobiDay 1 · City
- 02 SamburuDay 1 · National park & reserve
- 03 Ol PejetaDay 3 · National park & reserve
- 04 AberdareDay 5 · Mountain region
- 05 Lake NakuruDay 6 · Rift Valley lakes
- 06 NairobiDay 8 · City
Good to know
Cancel for any reason up to 90 days before your departure and receive a full refund. After that, our standard partial-refund schedule applies — see full terms.
Common questions
Who is this trip for?+
People who've done a classic Mara/Amboseli safari and want something different — the arid north, rhino conservation, a tree-hotel, and far fewer vehicles. It's a connoisseur's Kenya.
Is it a lot of driving?+
There are some longer transfers, but each is scenic and broken by game viewing. If you'd rather fly a leg or two (Samburu especially), we can arrange it.
Book on WhatsApp
Your chat opens with the trip pre-filled — no payment needed now. Our team replies between 7am–10pm EAT.
Request saved
WhatsApp is opening with your details pre-filled — just hit send.
- 1 Send the pre-filled messageYour trip details are already written for you.
- 2 Confirm in chat — or pay the deposit onlineSame reference either way. Our team replies 7am–10pm EAT.
- 3 Instant confirmationWhatsApp message + email receipt the moment your deposit lands.
Your request ref becomes your booking reference once the deposit is paid.
Book direct with the operator
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Licensed & certified
Kenya-registered operator in Nairobi with experienced driver-guides.
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Our own vehicles & guides
Trips run end to end by Bookara staff — never handed to a third party.
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Secure payment
Card or Apple Pay through Paystack (USD). Park fees included in the price you see.
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Flexible cancellation
Free cancellation up to 90 days before departure; 30% deposit holds your dates.
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