Samburu — The arid north — Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and the 'Samburu Special Five' you won't see anywhere else in Kenya, along the palm-lined Ewaso Ng'iro river
4 days · 3 nights · Best Jun – Oct
About this experience
Samburu is Kenya off the beaten path. North of Mount Kenya, the landscape turns to red earth, doum palms and dry riverbeds. The wildlife is genuinely different here — this is the only Kenyan reserve where you reliably find the Samburu Special Five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. Fewer vehicles, big-cat sightings along the river, and the proud Samburu culture make this the connoisseur's circuit.
Highlights
- Second-time safari
- Photographers
- Off the beaten path
- 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.
Amble through the northern scrub the way the Samburu travel it — a guided camel walk, often ending with a riverbank sundowner.
Spend an hour in a working manyatta — the jumping dance, fire-making, and a look at daily Maasai life, hosted by the community itself.
On foot with an armed ranger — tracks, plants, birds and the small details a vehicle drives straight past.
Chilled drinks on a ridge as the sun drops and the sky turns — a quiet, golden end to a day of game drives.
Included
- All accommodation on full-board
- Reserve entry fees
- Private 4x4 · experienced driver-guide
- All road transfers from Nairobi
- Bottled water & sundowner drinks
- 24/7 WhatsApp support line
Not included
- International flights
- Kenya eVisa ($51 — we help you apply)
- Travel insurance
- Samburu village visit ($25 pp, optional)
- Tips for guide & camp staff
Price breakdown
The plan, day by day
From pickup to drop-off — exactly what your trip looks like.
Scenic drive north past Mount Kenya and the equator (about 5.5 hours, packed lunch en route). Arrive Samburu Sopa Lodge by mid-afternoon. First game drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro at 4pm.
Full day in the reserve hunting down the northern specials — gerenuk on hind legs, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra. Picnic brunch under an acacia. Leopard and lion are regulars along the river.
Morning drive to the rocky koppies where leopard rest up. Afternoon visit to a Samburu manyatta — beadwork, dance and a genuinely warm welcome (fees go to the community).
Final dawn drive, brunch at camp, then the long road back to Nairobi. Arrive late afternoon.
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 NairobiDay 4 · 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
What are the 'Samburu Special Five'?+
Five dry-country species you mostly find only in Kenya's north: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk (the long-necked antelope) and Somali ostrich. We usually tick all five over two days.
Is the drive from Nairobi worth it, or should I fly?+
The drive is genuinely scenic — Mount Kenya, the equator, highland farms turning to desert. About 5.5 hours. If time is tight, the fly-in option saves a day each way for roughly $680 extra.
How does Samburu compare to the Maasai Mara?+
Drier, wilder, far fewer vehicles, and different wildlife. You trade the Mara's big-cat density and migration for solitude and the northern specials. Many travellers pair Samburu with the Mara.
Book on WhatsApp
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- 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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