Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
Your Kenya Safari Package begins in Nairobi, where you are warmly welcomed by our safari representative at either Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your Nairobi hotel. After a short briefing about the adventure ahead, you board a custom-built 4×4 Land Cruiser, designed with ample space, comfortable seating, and a pop-up roof for excellent game viewing. The journey takes you north, leaving behind Nairobiโs bustling cityscape for the more rugged and scenic landscapes of Kenyaโs northern frontier.
The drive itself is part of the adventure. As you pass through rural towns and fertile highlands, your guide explains the cultural and geographical features of the region. Soon, the scenery changes into dramatic semi-arid scrublandโthis is the entrance to Samburu National Reserve, a unique destination that differs greatly from Kenyaโs southern parks.
By midday, you arrive at Samburu Simba Lodge, located strategically near the reserve, where a hearty lunch awaits. After checking in and enjoying a short rest, itโs time for your first game drive. The Samburu landscape is striking, with rolling hills, rugged terrain, and the lifeline of the Ewaso Nyiro River flowing through the reserve. This river attracts wildlife from miles around, ensuring that sightings are both frequent and rewarding.
Samburu is famous for its Samburu Special Fiveโthe reticulated giraffe, Grevyโs zebra, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and gerenuk. These species are found only in the northern parks of Kenya, making this Samburu Safari truly special. Of course, elephants are plentiful here too, often seen bathing or drinking along the riverbanks. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are also common sightings, while crocodiles bask in the river shallows.
As the sun sets over the rugged hills, you return to your lodge for dinner. The night is spent relaxing under the starry Samburu sky, with the distant sounds of nocturnal wildlife echoing through the reserve. This first day sets the tone for your Safari in Kenyaโadventurous, immersive, and unforgettable.
Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge
Day 2: Explore Samburu National Reserve
You begin the second day of your Kenya Safari Package with an early breakfast, followed by a full day dedicated to exploring Samburu National Reserve. This reserve is less crowded than other Kenyan parks, making your game drives feel private and authentic. The semi-arid environment creates a unique ecosystem, and the Ewaso Nyiro River provides the perfect contrast of life-giving water amidst dry landscapes.
The morning game drive takes you deeper into the reserve, where you have the opportunity to spot some of Samburuโs rarer residents. The Grevyโs zebra, for example, is the largest zebra species in the world, with narrow stripes and large rounded ears. The reticulated giraffe, with its geometric net-like patterns, is considered one of the most beautiful giraffe subspecies. The gerenuk, also called the โgiraffe gazelle,โ is an antelope with an unusually long neck and legsโit often stands on its hind legs to feed on shrubs.
As you explore, your guide shares fascinating stories about the Samburu people, their traditions, and how they coexist with wildlife in this rugged environment. Unlike the Maasai, the Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists, known for their colorful attire and deep connection to their cattle.
You pause for lunch at the lodge or with picnic boxes in the wild, depending on the dayโs schedule. The afternoon drive offers more chances to spot predators. Lions are often seen lazing under acacia trees, while leopards may be draped over branches in the heat of the day. The reserve is also excellent for birdwatchers, with species such as the vulturine guinea fowl, Somali bee-eater, and martial eagle filling the skies.
By evening, you return to Samburu Simba Lodge for dinner. The lodgeโs location offers wonderful views, and you may even see elephants wandering near the river as you enjoy your meal. The peaceful atmosphere and sounds of the bush remind you that this Samburu Safari is an authentic and deeply rewarding experience.
Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge
Day 3: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Sweetwaters)
After breakfast at your lodge, itโs time to leave Samburu and head south toward Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of the most famous private wildlife sanctuaries in Africa. The drive takes you through Isiolo town and into the central highlands of Kenya, where the scenery transforms once again. Rolling hills, lush farmlands, and the distant peak of Mount Kenya create a picturesque backdrop.
Arriving at Sweetwaters Serena Camp inside Ol Pejeta, you check in and enjoy a delicious lunch. This camp blends luxury with wilderness charm and provides direct access to the conservancyโs highlights.
In the afternoon, you begin exploring Ol Pejeta. This conservancy has a remarkable historyโit was once the private ranch of Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi, and today it is a model for conservation success. It boasts the highest density of wildlife per square kilometer in Kenya, making game drives exceptionally rewarding.
One of the highlights of your visit is the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, established by the Jane Goodall Institute. Here, you meet orphaned and rescued chimpanzees, learning about their stories and the dedicated conservation efforts to protect them. It is the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be seen.
Another unforgettable experience is the black rhino sanctuary, where over 40 specimens live under special protection. Ol Pejeta also protects the worldโs last two surviving northern white rhinos, making it one of the most significant conservation areas on the planet. This makes your Ol Pejeta Safari both exciting and meaningfulโyou are not just watching wildlife, but also supporting their survival for future generations.
The afternoon continues with a game drive across the conservancyโs diverse landscapes. Elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, and cheetahs are often spotted here. The conservancyโs smaller size compared to national parks means animals are easier to find, making game viewing particularly rewarding.
By evening, you return to Sweetwaters Serena Camp. The campโs location near a waterhole means you can often watch wildlife from the comfort of the camp itself. Dinner is served, and the night is spent in cozy tents, surrounded by the wild sounds of the conservancy.
Accommodation: Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Day 4: Ol Pejeta Conservancy to Nairobi
The final morning of your Kenya Safari Package begins with the soft sounds of the bush awakening around Sweetwaters Serena Camp. Birds sing their dawn chorus, and you may hear the distant rumble of elephants or the calls of baboons welcoming the new day. After breakfast at the lodge, you prepare for the journey back to Nairobi, but not before enjoying one last glimpse of the incredible landscapes surrounding Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
The morning is relaxed, giving you time to reflect on the extraordinary experiences of the past three days. Samburuโs rare wildlife, from the Grevyโs zebra to the gerenuk, combined with Ol Pejetaโs conservation treasures such as the chimpanzee sanctuary and black rhino refuge, make this safari unique. Itโs a journey that combines adventure with education, wildlife thrills with conservation inspirationโshowcasing why Safari in Kenya remains one of the most rewarding travel experiences in the world.
After checking out of the camp, you set off on the drive toward Nairobi. The route takes you past lush farmlands and foothills of Mount Kenya, Africaโs second-highest peak. On clear days, its jagged snow-capped summit is visible, rising dramatically above the green highlands. This scenic drive is part of what makes the Ol Pejeta Safari so memorableโnot only the wildlife but also the landscapes that define central Kenya.
Midway through the journey, a special stop is made for lunch at the famous Trout Tree Restaurant in Nanyuki. Built around a giant fig tree, the restaurant offers a rustic yet charming setting. Here, fresh trout is prepared from the on-site fish farm, served alongside hearty sides, and you dine in the open-air space with views of the forest. Sometimes colobus monkeys and birds can be spotted in the surrounding trees, making lunch as much an experience as a meal.
After lunch, the journey continues southward. The drive offers chances to see daily Kenyan lifeโsmall markets bustling with locals, roadside stalls selling fresh produce, and children waving as safari vehicles pass by. This is a reminder that a Safari in Kenya is not only about the animals but also about the people and culture that shape the land.
By late afternoon, you arrive in Nairobi. Depending on your travel plans, your driver-guide will drop you either at your Nairobi hotel or directly at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.
This marks the end of your 4-Day Samburu & Ol Pejeta Safari, a journey that has taken you from the arid landscapes of Samburu to the conservation-rich plains of Ol Pejeta. In just four days, you will have experienced the rare Samburu Special Five, the worldโs last northern white rhinos, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in East Africa.
As you say farewell to Kenya, you leave with more than just photographsโyou carry with you stories of conservation, encounters with extraordinary wildlife, and memories of a safari that has shown you the wild heart of Africa. This package is proof that even in a short timeframe, a Kenya Safari Package can deliver a lifetime of unforgettable experiences.