3-Day Special 5 Encounter Safari in Samburu-Kenya

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

Nairobi-Samburu National Reserve

Your safari begins with an early morning departure from Nairobi by road to Samburu National Reserve, approximately 350 km and 6–7 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Enjoy scenic views as you travel north through Kenya’s changing landscapes toward the semi-arid Samburu region. After lunch at Samburu Sopa, relax briefly before heading out for your first afternoon game drive. Begin your search for the Special Five, particularly the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. The reserve is also home to elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes and numerous bird species. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner.

Main Destination:

Samburu 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 Samburu NR

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

ZebraCommon

LionOccasional

LeopardOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

Show more

HippoOccasional

HyenaOccasional

CheetahRare

Wild DogRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

WildebeestNone

Accommodation:

Samburu Sopa Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Samburu NR

+9 Photos

+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Samburu National Reserve

After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day wildlife-searching experience in Samburu National Reserve. Drive through different habitats along the Ewaso Nyiro River and surrounding plains, carefully scanning the landscape for the Special Five. Grevy’s zebra can often be identified by their distinctive narrow stripes, while reticulated giraffes stand out against the dry bushland. Keep a close eye out for the long-necked gerenuk feeding while standing on its hind legs, the elegant Beisa oryx and the striking Somali ostrich. Your experienced safari guide will track wildlife and select areas where sightings are most promising. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the reserve before continuing with afternoon game drives. In addition to the Special Five, look for elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, warthogs and abundant birdlife before returning to Samburu Sopa for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination:

Samburu National Reserve

Accommodation:

Samburu Sopa Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Samburu NR

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Samburu National Reserve-Nairobi

Enjoy an early breakfast followed by a final morning game drive in Samburu National Reserve, giving you another opportunity to search for any of the Special Five that may have been missed during the previous drives. Explore the reserve's riverine areas and open plains while watching for wildlife activity in the cooler morning hours. After the game drive, depart Samburu and drive back to Nairobi, approximately 350 km and 6–7 hours. Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon or early evening, marking the end of your Special Five searching safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast.

Main Destination:

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

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

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