Exclusive Safaris · Kenya

3-Day Samburu Fly-In Safari from Nairobi

3 daysScheduled group safari

About this journey

Our Samburu à la carte is a 3-day fly-in safari from Nairobi to Kenya's arid north, where the Ewaso Ng'iro River draws wildlife into a landscape of red earth, doum palms and rocky hills. Flying saves a long road journey, and you choose from 13 camps and lodges across the Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves and the community conservancies beyond.

Samburu is the place to see the 'Special Five': Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich, alongside elephant, lion, leopard and cheetah. Options range from Sarova Shaba and Samburu Simba Lodge to Elephant Watch Camp, Saruni Samburu and Saruni Rhino in the Sera Conservancy, Kenya's first community rhino sanctuary.

You are met at the airstrip with a shared game drive to camp for lunch, then an afternoon game drive. Day two is a full day of shared drives, and on day three you fly back to Wilson, arriving in the early afternoon. Extra nights can be added at any camp.

Who it suits: repeat visitors to Kenya who want something different from the Mara, photographers drawn to Samburu's distinctive wildlife and landscapes, and anyone interested in northern Kenya's pastoral cultures.

Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba sit side by side along the Ewaso Ng'iro River, and the camps on our list are spread across all three and the community conservancies beyond. The conservancy camps, such as Saruni Samburu and Sarara, work closely with local Samburu communities and support wildlife conservation on their land.

Highlights

  • Choose from 13 camps in Samburu, Buffalo Springs, Shaba and conservancies
  • The Samburu Special Five
  • Scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport
  • Shared morning and afternoon game drives
  • Extendable by extra nights

What's included

Included

  • Scheduled light-aircraft flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport
  • Shared game drives in the camp's safari vehicles
  • Park and conservancy fees
  • Accommodation and meals at your chosen camp or lodge

Not included

  • International flights
  • Transfers and hotel nights in Nairobi before or after the safari
  • Kenya eTA and visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Drinks, tips and personal expenses

Day by day

  • Transfer to Wilson Airport from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your Nairobi hotel
  • Scheduled flight to Samburu, met at the airstrip with a shared game drive to camp for lunch
  • Shared afternoon game drive
  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: your chosen Samburu camp or lodge

Where you stay

Camp or lodgeAirstripArea
Sarova Shaba Game LodgeBuffalo SpringsShaba National Reserve
Samburu IntrepidsKalamaSamburu National Reserve
Samburu Simba LodgeBuffalo SpringsBuffalo Springs National Reserve
Elephant Bedroom CampKalamaSamburu National Reserve
Ashnil Samburu CampBuffalo SpringsBuffalo Springs National Reserve
Elephant Watch CampKalamaSamburu National Reserve
Surana Buffalo SpringsBuffalo SpringsBuffalo Springs National Reserve
SasaabKalamaSamburu
Saruni SamburuKalamaKalama Conservancy
Saruni RhinoKalamaSera Conservancy
Sarara CollectionKalamaNamunyak Conservancy
Soroi Larsens CampKalamaSamburu National Reserve
Soroi Samburu LodgeKalamaSamburu National Reserve

Questions about this safari

How long is the 3-Day Samburu Fly-In Safari from Nairobi?

3 days and 2 nights. It starts in Nairobi and returns to Nairobi.

Is this a private or a shared safari?

It runs as a scheduled safari: you share the vehicle and game drives with other travellers on the same departure, which keeps the price down. We can also run it as a private safari on your own dates.

How do you travel between parks?

By scheduled light aircraft from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, with game drives from the airstrip on arrival. Soft-sided bags are required and the luggage allowance is usually 15 kg per person.

Where will I stay?

You choose one camp or lodge from our list, including Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, Samburu Intrepids, Samburu Simba Lodge, Elephant Bedroom Camp, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Elephant Watch Camp, and 7 more listed on this page. Each is matched to its nearest airstrip.

What is included in the price?

Scheduled light-aircraft flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport, Shared game drives in the camp's safari vehicles, Park and conservancy fees and Accommodation and meals at your chosen camp or lodge.

Are park fees included?

Yes. Park, reserve and conservancy entry fees for every day of the itinerary are included in the price.

How far is Samburu from Nairobi?

Samburu is about 350 km north of Nairobi, five to six hours by road, or roughly an hour by scheduled flight.

Can I see the Big Five on this safari?

Elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo all live in Samburu, but the real draw is the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich.

When is the best time for this safari?

June to October and December to March are the driest months, when wildlife concentrates along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.

Can I customise this itinerary or upgrade the accommodation?

Yes. We can change lodges, add nights or extra parks, and arrange a private version on your own dates.

What should I pack for this safari?

Pack neutral-coloured layers, a warm fleece or jacket for early-morning drives, a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars and your camera with spare batteries. A soft-sided bag is best, and required on light-aircraft flights.

Do I need a visa for Kenya?

Most visitors need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before travel. Check the requirements for your passport well before you fly.

What animals can you see in Samburu that you can't see in the Masai Mara?

The Samburu Special Five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich, all adapted to northern Kenya's dry country.

Destinations on this safari

The wild northSamburu

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