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.
Best for
- Second-time safari
- Photographers
- Off the beaten path
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 · Swahili · French · GermanGuide languages
Signature experiences
Optional extras we can add to this trip. Prices are per person and confirmed when you book.
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.
Day by day
What each day looks like, from pickup in Nairobi to drop-off.
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's included
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 eTA (USD 30 government fee — we help you apply)
- Travel insurance
- Samburu village visit ($25 pp, optional)
- Tips for guide & camp staff
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 NairobiDay 4 · 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
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
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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