Wildlife Safaris
3-Day Samburu Safari
A quick 3-day, 2-night escape to Samburu National Reserve - Kenya's arid north, home to the "Samburu Special Five" and the community-run Reteti Elephant Sanctuary - ideal for travelers short on time.
Itinerary
Download Itinerary (PDF)Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Destination | Travel | Key Sightings | Overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Samburu National Reserve
Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
|
Drive |
Grevy's Zebra
Reticulated Giraffe
Somali Ostrich
+3
|
Samburu Sopa Lodge | B L D |
| 2 |
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu & Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
|
Drive |
African Elephant
African Lion
African Leopard
+3
|
Samburu Sopa Lodge | B L D |
| 3 |
Nairobi
Final Game Drive & Return to Nairobi
|
Drive |
-
|
- | B L D |
Full Day-by-Day Itinerary
Depart Nairobi for the drive north via Nanyuki and Isiolo to Samburu National Reserve (roughly 4-5 hours), as the landscape shifts to semi-arid savannah. Check in at your lodge on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in time for lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive in search of the "Samburu Special Five" - Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and Beisa oryx. Overnight on a full-board basis.
An early morning game drive along the river offers a good chance of elephant, lion and leopard, followed by breakfast at the lodge. Late morning brings a visit to the community-run Reteti Elephant Sanctuary - Kenya's first community-owned elephant sanctuary - to watch a feeding session and learn the rescue stories behind its orphaned elephants. After lunch, an optional cultural visit to a local Samburu village showcases traditional dances and customs, before a sundowner game drive back toward the lodge for golden-hour wildlife viewing. Overnight on a full-board basis.
A final morning game drive for any wildlife missed earlier in the trip, then breakfast and checkout. Depart Samburu for the road transfer back to Nairobi, with a lunch stop in Nanyuki or Isiolo along the way.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round, though the dry seasons (Jun-Oct, Jan-Feb) offer the best game viewing and easiest road conditions
High Season - Jun-Oct & Jan-Feb
Dry weather makes for the clearest game viewing, with animals gathering at rivers and waterholes. Masai Mara river crossings peak July-October. Expect busier parks and the highest rates of the year.
Low Season - Mar-May & Nov
The "green season" brings lush scenery, dramatic skies and newborn wildlife, with far fewer visitors and the lowest accommodation rates. Expect afternoon showers, muddier roads and a handful of camps closed for maintenance.
What to Expect
A short, focused circuit built entirely around one destination:
Nairobi is your departure and return point for the road transfers to and from Samburu.
Samburu National Reserve lies in Kenya's arid north along the Ewaso Nyiro River, whose doum-palm-lined banks draw large herds of elephant even in the dry season. It's the best place in the country to find the "Samburu Special Five" - Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and the Somali ostrich - and is home to the community-run Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, alongside a Samburu culture with deep ties to the Maasai.
Route Map
Approximate route followed during this safari.
What's Included
- All transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Park entry fees for Samburu National Reserve
- Reteti Elephant Sanctuary entry
- 2 nights' accommodation, full board (lunch and dinner Day 1, full board Day 2, breakfast and lunch Day 3)
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
What's Excluded
- International flights
- Optional Samburu village cultural visit (paid locally)
- Travel insurance and visa fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks and items of a personal nature
Get your free, no-obligation plan
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