Wildlife Safaris
5-Day Kenya Safari: Ol Pejeta & Samburu
A 5-day, 4-night circuit through central and northern Kenya - the private rhino sanctuary of Ol Pejeta, with its resident chimpanzees and the world's last two northern white rhinos, followed by the arid beauty of Samburu National Reserve and a visit to its community-run elephant sanctuary.
Itinerary
Download Itinerary (PDF)Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Destination | Travel | Key Sightings | Overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Nanyuki & Ol Pejeta Conservancy
|
Drive |
African Elephant
Lion
White Rhinoceros
|
Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta | B L D |
| 2 |
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Full Day in Ol Pejeta Conservancy
|
Drive |
Black Rhinoceros
White Rhinoceros
Chimpanzee
+1
|
Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta | B L D |
| 3 |
Samburu National Reserve
Ol Pejeta to Samburu National Reserve
|
Drive |
Grevy's Zebra
Reticulated Giraffe
Somali Ostrich
|
Samburu Sopa Lodge | B L D |
| 4 |
Samburu National Reserve
Full Day in Samburu National Reserve
|
Drive |
Grevy's Zebra
Gerenuk
Beisa Oryx
+1
|
Samburu Sopa Lodge | B L D |
| 5 |
Nairobi
Departure
|
Drive |
African Elephant
Grevy's Zebra
|
- | B L D |
Full Day-by-Day Itinerary
Depart Nairobi for the drive north via Nyeri to the Nanyuki/Ol Pejeta area (roughly 3-4 hours), with a photo stop and water-vortex demonstration at the Equator Line in Nanyuki en route. Check in at your lodge around midday for lunch and a short rest, then head out for an afternoon game drive across Ol Pejeta Conservancy - home to the Big Five and the world's last two northern white rhinos. Overnight on a full-board basis.
An early sunrise game drive for the best light and the best chance of predators, followed by a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Africa's only sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees. After lunch back at the lodge, join rangers for a guided rhino tracking walk on foot in search of southern white and black rhino. Weather permitting, round off the afternoon with views of Mount Kenya or a browse through Nanyuki's craft shops and cafes. Overnight on a full-board basis.
After breakfast and checkout, drive north through Isiolo as the landscape shifts to semi-arid savannah, reaching Samburu (roughly 3-4 hours) in time for lunch at your lodge on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. An afternoon game drive through Samburu National Reserve follows, 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 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 south to Nairobi (roughly 5-6 hours), with a lunch stop in Nanyuki or Nyeri along the way - and a last chance for an equator photo if you missed it on Day 1. Drop-off at your hotel, the airport, or residence in Nairobi in the late afternoon.
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
This circuit links two of central and northern Kenya's most rewarding conservancies, either side of the equator:
Nairobi is your departure and return point for the road transfers north and back.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, near the base of Mount Kenya, is a private, non-profit wildlife conservancy and one of Africa's most important black rhino sanctuaries - and home to the world's last two northern white rhinos. It also hosts the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Africa's only sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees, alongside healthy populations of lion, elephant and the rest of the Big Five.
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 and conservancy entry fees for Ol Pejeta and Samburu
- 4 nights' accommodation as per itinerary, full board throughout (lunch, dinner and breakfast)
- Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary entry
- Guided rhino tracking walk with rangers
- Reteti Elephant Sanctuary visit
- 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
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