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.
Best for
- Second-time safari-goers
- Rare northern species
- Rhino & tree-hotels
Trip features
- Private vehicleYour own 4x4 and driver-guide
- Starts any dayPick your own date, 7+ days ahead
- Can be tailoredChange lodges, add days or parks
- Children welcomeAges 3–12 at half price
- Pickup in NairobiAirport or your hotel
- English · SwahiliGuide languages
Signature experiences
Optional extras we can add to this trip. Prices are per person and confirmed when you book.
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.
Day by day
What each day looks like, from pickup in Nairobi to drop-off.
Drive north past Mount Kenya to the Samburu National Reserve. Afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro river for the northern 'Special Five'.
Samburu Sopa Lodge · Full-board
A full day in the north — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, big elephant herds at the river, and leopard in the doum palms.
Samburu Sopa Lodge · Full-board
South to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Afternoon visit to the rhino sanctuary and the last two northern white rhinos on earth.
Ol Pejeta camp (or similar) · Full-board
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.
Ol Pejeta camp (or similar) · Full-board
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.
The Ark / Treetops · Full-board
A dawn watch over the waterhole, then down and across to Lake Nakuru. Afternoon drive for rhino, flamingo and Rothschild's giraffe.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge · Full-board
A full day around the lake and the surrounding park — the flamingo flocks, the rhino sanctuary, and the Makalia Falls.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge · Full-board
A final morning drive, then the scenic drive back to Nairobi (about three hours).
Where you'll stay
Lodges we book on this trip. If one is full on your dates, we'll offer a comparable property before you pay anything.
What's included
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 eTA (USD 30 government fee — we help you apply)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Optional experiences (see below)
- Drinks, tips & personal expenses
Route & pickup
Where the trip goes, and where we meet you. Pickup is confirmed the day before you set off.
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
Bookara started running trips in 2026, so there are no guest reviews on this trip yet. Ask us anything on WhatsApp before you book; you'll talk to one of the two founders.
A 30% deposit holds your dates, and the balance is due 45 days before you travel (book closer than that and you pay in full). Cancel 90+ days before departure for a full refund, 60–89 days before for 50% back. 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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Run from Nairobi
We plan and run your trip ourselves, with driver-guides we know, and stay reachable on WhatsApp throughout.
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Secure payment
Card or Apple Pay through Paystack (USD). Taxes and park fees are in the price you see.
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Flexible cancellation
Full refund up to 90 days before departure; a 30% deposit holds your dates.
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