9-Day In Nyambene Forest, Aberdare & Samburu Savannah

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Nairobi to Meru – Into the Nyambene Hills Forest

Morning: Depart Nairobi early, driving north through lush farmland and rising hills. Arrive in Meru town around midday, greeted by the cooler air and views of far-off Mount Kenya.

Afternoon: Stop at Meru Slopes Hotel for a relaxed lunch. Afterward, continue to Kangeta town, a bustling local market high on the slopes. From here, divert onto a rougher track to a local Miraa farmland and learn a few things on the crop highly valued in this region. Continue with the rough road leading deep into the Nyambene Hills Forest. Your campsite sits hidden among ancient trees, far from the road.

Evening: As darkness falls, gather around a crackling bonfire under a star-filled African sky. Share stories, listen to the forest stir, and rest deeply in your tent, surrounded by the silence of the hills.

Main Destination:

Nyambene Hills Forest

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• The park

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Nyambene Hills – Ura Dam and Waterfall Trail

Morning: An early breakfast of hot tea and fresh bread. Then set out on foot along an exciting trail that winds through tall, ancient trees, past gurgling streams and rivers. The path crosses several small waterfalls before opening up to the serene Ura Dam, then the trail leads to one big waterfall a hidden jewel of the Nyambene Hills.

Afternoon: Take time to rest by the waterfall, soaking in the tranquility. The return hike follows a different route, offering fresh views of the dense forest canopy and birdlife. Arrive back at camp for a well-earned late lunch.

Evening: A quiet night at camp. The sounds of the forest – crickets, owls, maybe a distant leopard – lull you to sleep under another brilliant canopy of stars.

Main Destination:

Nyambene Hills Forest

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• The park

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Nyambene Hills to Shaba National Reserve

Morning: Breakfast at 7:00 am, then pack up camp. Drive South via Makutano and have stop at the Sacred Lake Nkunga for a 3o minutes walk to this ancient Lake. Then drive northeast, descending from the base on mount Kenya into the arid, dramatic landscape of the Samburu region. Arrive at Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, an oasis set along the Ewaso Ng'iro River (the life giver of the north).

Afternoon: An early lunch at the lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive in Shaba National Reserve. This rugged, volcanic landscape was made famous by Joy Adamson's work with lions. Look for special wildlife north of the equator, the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, somali ostrich and perhaps a leopard resting on a rocky kopje.

Evening: Return to the lodge as the sun sets. Dinner is served under thatched roofs, with the river just meters away. Overnight at Sarova Shaba.

Main Destination:

Shaba National Reserve

Best Time To Visit June to September and January to February

High Season December to March and July to October (Busy)

Best Weather June and December (Cool and fresh after rain)

Wildlife in Shaba NR

HippoCommon

ElephantOccasional

GiraffeOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

ZebraOccasional

LionRare

Show more

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

HyenaRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogRare to None

Accommodation:

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Shaba NR

+9 Photos

+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shaba, Buffalo Springs & Lion's Cave

Morning: A 3-hour nature walk through Shaba National Reserve, accompanied by Samburu warriors – the native keepers of this land. They will point out medicinal plants, animal tracks, and explain their deep connection to the wild. Return to the lodge for breakfast.

Afternoon: Lunch at Sarova Shaba. Then a short game drive across to Buffalo Springs National Reserve, named for the clear oasis at its heart. Here you will experience something rare – a dip in a unique swimming pool set inside the wild of the reserve, a refreshing and surreal experience surrounded by arid bushland. Hoping the pool waters relaxes the body for the events of the next day

Evening: Drive to Lion's Cave for the night. Dinner and overnight in this special, no-frills camp some minutes drive to the sacred mountain.

Main Destination:

Shaba National Reserve

Accommodation:

Lion's Cave Camp

• Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Shaba NR

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mount Ololokwe Sunrise Hike & Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Morning: Wake at 3:00 am for a pre-dawn start. The hike up Mt. Ololokwe – a sacred table mountain for the Samburu people – begins in cool darkness. By sunrise, you are rewarded with staggering views across the northern plains, a spiritual experience revered by generations of Samburu.

Late Morning: Descend and drive to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, a shining example of community-led conservation of the elephants that call the harsh wilderness of Northern Kenya home. Here, local warriors and elders manage wildlife and land together. Walk with them, learn about their successes, and feel the pride they have in protecting their heritage.

Evening: Return to Lion's Cave for rest. Another night at Lion's Cave, with stories shared around a fire.

Main Destination:

Mount Ololokwe

Accommodation:

Lion's Cave Camp

• Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Samburu NR

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Samburu National Reserve to Twin Rocks & Aberdares

Morning: Explore more of Samburu National Reserve, crossing the Ewaso Ng'iro River in search of elephants, lions, and the unique "Samburu Special Five." The morning light is perfect for photography.

Afternoon: Your driver begins the 3-hour 50-minute journey from Archers Post toward the Aberdare National Park, climbing from hot savannah into cool, misty highlands. Lunch stop over at the Trout Tree Restaurant in Nanyuki. In the evening hours we arrive at a serene campsite inside Aberdare National Park – Twin Rocks Campsite – surrounded by giant Twin Rocks and a wall of volcanic cliff.

Evening: Rest deeply at this high-altitude camp. The air is crisp, the silence profound. Overnight at Twin Rocks Camp.

Main Destination:

Aberdare National Park

Best Time To Visit June to September and December to February (Driest months)

High Season June to October and December to March

Best Weather June to September and December to February (Less rain)

Wildlife in Aberdare NP

ElephantCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraOccasional

HyenaOccasional

Black RhinoRare

LeopardRare

Show more

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

LionNone

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Aberdare NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Dragon's Teeth – Hiking the High Moorlands

Morning: After breakfast, set out on foot toward the Dragon's Teeth area. This bizarre rock formation – jagged, volcanic, and ancient – stands like a prehistoric sentinel on the moorland. The hike takes you through shifting terrain: tussocked grasslands, small streams, and patches of giant lobelias.

Afternoon: Explore the area via different nature trails around Dragon's Teeth. Each path reveals a new angle – a hidden marsh, a distant waterfall, or a view across the entire Aberdare range. Set up camp at Dragon's Teeth Campsite, one of the wildest and most atmospheric spots in the park.

Evening: A cold but beautiful night under the stars. Wrap up warm, eat well, and listen to the wind across the moorland.

Main Destination:

Aberdare National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Aberdare NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ol Doinyo Lesatima – The Ultimate Aberdare Peak

Early Morning: A pre-dawn start. Today you tackle Ol Doinyo Lesatima (4,001m), the highest point of the Aberdare ranges. The climb is demanding but spectacular, taking you above the moorland into an alpine zone of strange, sculptural plants and sweeping views. On a clear day, you can see Mount Kenya to the east and the Rift Valley far below.

Late Morning: After summiting, traverse toward Table Mountain, a broad, flat-topped peak with its own wild beauty. The walk connects two of the Aberdares' most iconic landmarks.

Afternoon: Set up camp on or near Table Mountain. The afternoon light shifts constantly, painting the hills in shades of gold and green.

Evening: Camp at Table Mountain. This is high, exposed, and utterly unforgettable.

Main Destination:

Mount Satima (Aberdare NP)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kenungu Waterfall Trail – Return to Nairobi

Morning: Pack camp early and follow the Kenungu Waterfall Trail, a beautiful descent through misty forest and bamboo. The trail follows a stream past several cascades before reaching the main waterfall – a powerful, plunging curtain of water into a deep pool. A perfect final hike.

Late Morning: Meet your driver at the end of the Kenungu Waterfall Trail, exactly as planned. Transfer to the vehicle and begin the drive down from the Aberdares toward Nairobi.

Afternoon: The journey winds through Nyeri, Karatina, and finally the busy outskirts of the capital. By late afternoon, you are back in the city, carrying with you the smells and sounds of forest, mountain, and savannah.

Evening: A celebration dinner at Kasarani Safari Park, a chance to internalise this great experience. Over good food and conversation, you relive the hikes, the wildlife, the bonfires, and the sacred mountains. A fitting end to an epic journey.

Main Destination:

Aberdare National Park

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.