Samburu

Overview

Samburu National park lies in Northern Kenya where the flat greenness of the rest of the country starts giving way to arid scrubland, kopjes and immense rocky outcrops, all centred on the meandering Ewaso Ngiro River. Far from being dull, this extraordinary landscape supports animals uniquely adapted to the drier, rockier conditions.It is named after the Samburu people, who are nomadic pastoralists and whose traditional finery is among the most beautiful and delicate in the world. The Samburu still live in manyattas (villages) that can be moved to follow fresh grazing for their donkeys, goats and cattle. Camels where introduced during some point when trading Arabians arrived and, of course, these desert creatures thrive in this semi-desert environment. This is one of the few places in Africa where you can undertake a camel trek: set off to find wildlife, led by your capable and knowledgeable Samburu guides.The Samburu National Reserve is an excellent destination if youre for game viewing experience and also the rich cultural heritage of the Samburu people and learn how their culture differs from that of the Maasai. Its a great chance to spot gerenuk, beisa oryx, Grevy's Zebra, reticulated girrafe and Somali ostriches - these are known as the Samburu Special 5.

Routes

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  3 day Samburu via 4X4WD

  Overview

  During this tour youll get to spot some animals rarely found anywhere else such as the Gerenuk(Girrafe gazelle), the Somali ostrich which has grey-blue skin and their neck and legs turn bright blue. Also spot the endangered gravys zebra with unique stripes, the reticulated girrafe and Beisa Oryx.

  Itinerary

  Day 1 - Samburu

  Depart Nairobi in the morning for the North rugged semi-desert region of Samburu. Arrive in time for lunch then have an afternoon gamedrive.

  

  Grevys zebras

  Day 2 - Samburu National Reserve

  Enjoy a full day in Samburu with a morning and afternoon game drive, with an optional visit to Samburu villages. Meals and your overnight stay are at a lodge. The Samburu National Reserve is a game reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River in Kenya. On the other side of the river is the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. The park is 165sq km in size and is situated 350 kilometres from Nairobi.

  

  Gerenuk - giraffe neck gazelle

  Day 3 - Samburu to Nairobi

  Have a short game drive before breakfast. After breakfast depart for Nairobi and arrive in the afternoon.

  

  Depart for Nairobi
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  7-Day Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara

  Overview

  This luxury tour has luxury accommodations at all the lodges. Samburu National Reserve is one of the lesser-known national parks but is nevertheless teeming with wildlife. On a safari into the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, you will learn about the stories of torture the chimps went through in captivity in West and Central Africa. Lake Nakuru is known as a beautiful wildlife haven. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity. The Masai Mara is regarded as the jewel of Kenya's wildlife viewing.

  Itinerary

  Day 1 - Nairobi - Samburu National Reserve

  Once your luggage is loaded onto the vehicle, you set out for Samburu National Reserve, making a stop at the equator crossing line.Upon reaching Samburu, you'll have time for check-in and lunch. Following that, you can partake in your inaugural afternoon game drive within this unique reserve. The game reserve is celebrated for its rare species of animals exclusive to the park, such as the long-necked gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, and the beisa oryx. The elusive Kenyan leopard is known to make appearances in the park, particularly during the evenings.Other Kenyan wildlife residing in the park comprises cheetahs and lions, along with elephants, buffalos, and hippos. The birdlife is as abundant as the wildlife in Samburu, boasting a collection of over 350 bird species, including vultures, kingfishers, marabous, and bateleurs.

  

  Grevys zebras

  Day 2 - Samburu National Reserve

  Spend another full day in Samburu, enjoying morning and afternoon game drives in the park. Experience the most remarkable feature of Samburu Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserve, which is the sharp contrast of colors. Take in the hazy blue of the surrounding hills and endless sky, the chocolate brown of the Uaso Nyiro River, and the dusty soils interspersed with the vibrant greens of semi-desert vegetation. Witness the prehistoric appearance of the doum palm, the sole palm tree with branches, scattered among granite boulders and ancient black lava flows in the Shaba Reserve.The region's wildlife population also resembles an artist's palette, with unique blue-legged Somali ostriches, chestnut-colored reticulated giraffes, black and white Grevy's zebras, gerenuks, and gazelles. The grey-green Nile crocodiles make their home in the Uaso Nyiro River, which flows through Shaba and Samburu. Samburu is often regarded as the country's prime location for leopard sightings and an ideal spot to see lion prides.

  

  Gerenuk - giraffe neck gazelle

  Day 3 - Samburu to Olpejeta Conservancy

  Start your day with breakfast at the lodge, then pack your belongings. Go on a morning game drive in the reserve to spot the Big Four animals and the gerenuk. After that, leave the reserve and head to Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC). You'll make a stop along the way for a break and restroom visit. When you arrive at Sweetwaters Serena, have lunch and relax before your afternoon game drive.At 4:00 PM, after enjoying some afternoon Kenyan tea and coffee, embark on an exciting wildlife adventure. Your safari in OPC will allow you to see rescued chimpanzees and hear about their difficult experiences in captivity in West and Central Africa. This is the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees during a game drive. You can also visit the largest black rhino sanctuary and learn about the efforts to protect these endangered animals. Later in the evening, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

  

  Chimpanzee conservation olpejeta

  Day 4 - Ol Pejeta Conservancy to Lake Nakuru National Park

  Following breakfast, head to the scenic Lake Nakuru National Park, nestled within the Great Rift Valley's grassy terrain. Here, you'll encounter diverse ecosystems, making it perfect for birdwatching, hiking, picnics, and wildlife exploration.

  

  Flamingoes in Lake Nakuru

  Day 5 Lake Nakuru National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve

  After breakfast, you begin a thrilling road trip to the Masai Mara. You'll make short stops for restrooms and stretching along the way. You'll arrive around 1:00 PM in the Mara, check in at your camp, have lunch, and take a short break before an afternoon game drive.At 4:00 PM, after enjoying some Kenyan tea and coffee, embark on an exciting wildlife adventure. Your driver guide knows where to find the best wildlife spots because they track their daily routines. Some animals, like leopards, are hard to spot as they blend into the grass and trees. Your guide will take you to watering holes where you might see various bird and wildlife species, including elusive cats.

  

  Day 6 Masai Mara National Reserve

  Go on a morning safari ride after breakfast, and then take lunch boxes with you for a full day of exploring the wild. When you think of Africa, you probably imagine the Masai Mara. It's a vast area of flat grasslands with short acacia trees and lots of zebras and wildebeests. It's like the classic African scene you see in pictures, and in this case, it's just as amazing as you'd expect. The Masai Mara isn't just the famous reserve; it also includes many community areas, ranches, and Masai villages. For a lot of people, visiting the Masai Mara is the main reason they came to Kenya. At night, have dinner and stay at the lodge.

  Day 7 - Masai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi

  At 06h30, have breakfast at your lodge and depart with your luggage to the reserve to do your morning game drive. At midday, head to Nairobi with a stopover in Narok where you will enjoy lunch