Samburu · Ol Pejeta · Aberdare · Nakuru · 8 days · 7 nights · Best Jun – Oct & Jan – Mar
8-Day Northern Kenya
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.
From $3,300 per person
Specimen itinerary for planning purposes only — not a confirmed booking document.
Logistics & transport
- Pickup
- Confirmed 24 hours before departure on WhatsApp
- Guide language
- As selected at booking
- Group
- Private / small group · max 6 guests
Where you'll stay
Lodging varies by trip — tented camp, safari lodge, beach hotel, or city hotel as your package requires. The property for this package is confirmed in writing after you book — ask us on WhatsApp if you want options before paying.
Included in your package price — exact camp, lodge, or hotel confirmed after booking.
Indicative schedule — day by day
Planned rhythm for your trip — your guide may adjust on the day for conditions, light and wildlife.
Day 1: Nairobi → Samburu
Drive north past Mount Kenya to the Samburu National Reserve. Afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro river for the northern 'Special Five'.
Day 2: Samburu
A full day in the north — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, big elephant herds at the river, and leopard in the doum palms.
Day 3: Samburu → Ol Pejeta
South to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Afternoon visit to the rhino sanctuary and the last two northern white rhinos on earth.
Day 4: Ol Pejeta
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.
Day 5: Ol Pejeta → Aberdare
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.
Day 6: Aberdare → Lake Nakuru
A dawn watch over the waterhole, then down and across to Lake Nakuru. Afternoon drive for rhino, flamingo and Rothschild's giraffe.
Day 7: Lake Nakuru
A full day around the lake and the surrounding park — the flamingo flocks, the rhino sanctuary, and the Makalia Falls.
Day 8: Nakuru → Nairobi
A final morning drive, then the scenic drive back to Nairobi (about three hours).
Trip inclusions
- 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
Trip exclusions
- International flights
- Kenya eVisa ($51 — we help you apply)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Optional experiences (see below)
- Drinks, tips & personal expenses
Preparation & packing
Before you go
- This section is general Kenya travel guidance — not a substitute for official advice or your doctor.
- We confirm trip-specific details (property, pickup times, park rules) with you on WhatsApp before departure.
- Questions about 8-Day Northern Kenya? Message us anytime — we'd rather you ask than guess.
Visa & entry
- Most visitors need a Kenya eVisa before travel — apply at evisa.go.ke and check current fees and rules.
- Passport usually needs 6+ months' validity and blank pages — verify with your airline and immigration.
- Keep a printed copy of this itinerary and your eVisa for border control.
Health
- Yellow fever certificate may be required depending on where you are travelling from — check Kenya's latest entry rules.
- Malaria prevention is commonly recommended for safari areas — ask your doctor well before you fly.
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
- Bring personal medication in original packaging.
Weather & clothing
- Safari mornings and evenings are often cooler than midday — layers work better than one heavy coat.
- Neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) are standard for game drives.
- Rain can appear in any season — a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
- We send a short weather note for your dates once your trip is confirmed.
Packing list
- Comfortable closed shoes for walking + sandals for camp or lodge
- Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Binoculars if you have a pair (optional — ask us if you'd like a recommendation)
- Power bank + travel adaptor (Kenya commonly uses Type G plugs, 240V)
- Soft bag often works better than a hard suitcase if your trip includes light-aircraft legs — we'll confirm luggage limits for your routing
- Some cash in USD (clean, newer bills) or KES for tips and small purchases
- Insect repellent
Money & connectivity
- Cards work in Nairobi and at many properties; cash is still useful for tips and markets.
- M-Pesa is widely used in Kenya — we can walk you through it on arrival if helpful.
- Wi‑Fi varies by property (lodge, camp, or hotel) — signal on game drives is usually limited.
- Tipping customs vary by property and guide — we share current guidelines for your trip before you travel.