4 Days 3 Nights Samburu Game Reserve Lake Nakuru Safari

Experience a safari of a lifetime – travelling by 4×4 vehicle and staying in comfortable and scenically located lodges on a full board basis.

Beginning and ending in Nairobi, the tour drives to Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya and on to Lake Nakuru National Park in central Kenya.  (Covering ~600km total drive time) departs Nairobi, exploring arid Samburu for unique wildlife (Days 1-2) before travelling to lush Lake Nakuru for rhinos/flamingos (Days 3-4).

Prime wildlife viewing takes place during early morning drives (0630 Hours – 0900 Hours) and late-afternoon drives (1530 Hours–1830 Hours) to maximise sightings during high-activity periods. 

Samburu National Reserve Highlights

Set in Kenya’s rugged north, Samburu National Reserve may be compact in size, but it consistently punches above its weight for safari experiences. The reserve’s arid landscapes are shaped by the Ewaso Ng’iro River, a permanent water source that draws wildlife year-round and creates natural gathering points for game viewing.

Open terrain, sparse vegetation, and relatively low visitor numbers mean sightings are often clear, close, and refreshingly uncrowded. Combined with rare northern species, strong predator presence, and dramatic scenery, Samburu delivers a rewarding, authentic Kenya safari that feels wild, intimate, and far removed from the busier southern circuits. Highlights include: 

✓ Quiet & Remote Safari: Provides an off-the-beaten-track, less-crowded alternative to other Kenyan parks, offering a more intimate wilderness experience
✓ Diverse Wildlife Sightings: Excellent opportunities to see elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, with the river attracting large concentrations of animals
✓ Striking Semi-Arid Landscape: Features dramatic scenery of rugged hills, rocky outcrops, and arid plains broken by the lush, palm-lined Ewaso Ng’iro River 
✓ Cultural Immersion: Opportunities to visit local Samburu villages to learn about the traditional pastoralist lifestyle, vibrant beadwork, and customs of the community 
✓ Rich Avian Diversity: Over 450 bird species are recorded, including arid species and riverine specialists like the vulturine guineafowl, Somali bee-eater, and various raptors
✓ The “Samburu Special Five”: Home to unique northern species not found in the south, including the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk

Lake Nakuru National Park Highlights

Lake Nakuru is famous for its thriving rhino population, big cats, vast birdlife, and striking alkaline lake framed by dramatic escarpments. Its compact size makes game viewing productive, and its accessibility from Nairobi keeps costs low for travellers seeking great-value Kenya budget safaris.

With diverse habitats, reliable wildlife, and easy logistics, it’s a top choice for anyone wanting an affordable, rewarding safari experience.  A scenic Rift Valley park with excellent wildlife and birding. Highlights include: 

✓ Diverse Wildlife & Big Game: Features a high density of black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, large buffalo herds, giraffes, and hippos
✓ Unique Scenic Landscapes: Features dramatic scenery, including rocky viewpoints, lush riverine forests, and open grass plains that offer a stark, wild contrast to the city
✓ Ideal Location & Accessibility: Conveniently situated just 8km from Nairobi city center, making it the perfect quick safari, layover, or combo trip with other Kenyan parks
✓ Consistent Year-Round Wildlife: Enjoy superb, 12-month game viewing, with the dry season (July–October, January–March) offering optimal sightings as animals congregate near water sources
✓ Exceptional Birding & Habitats: Home to over 400 species of birds, including flamingos (when conditions permit), set against a backdrop of open plains, acacia forests, and the unique city skyline

4 Days/ 3 Nights Samburu & Lake Nakuru Safari from Nairobi Itinerary 

Day 1: Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve

0700 Hours –0800 Hours: Pick up from Nairobi hotel/airport and drive north via Mt. Kenya views
1300 Hours – 1400 Hours: Arrive at Samburu for lunch and check-in
1530 Hours/ 1600 Hours: Afternoon game drive in Samburu, focusing on the Ewaso Nyiro River area
1830 Hours: Return to lodge/camp for dinner and overnight

Day 2: Full Day in Samburu Game Reserve

0630 Hours: Early morning game drive to find leopards and cheetahs
0900 Hours: Breakfast at camp
1000 Hours –1230 Hours: Relax at the lodge or take a guided nature walk (optional)
1300 Hours: Lunch
1530 Hours: Afternoon game drive in search of “Samburu Special Five” (Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich)
1830 Hours: Dinner and overnight

Day 3: Samburu – Lake Nakuru National Park

0700 Hours: Early breakfast and check out
0800 Hours: Depart for Lake Nakuru, driving via Nyahururu/ Thomson Falls
1300 Hours: Arrive at Lake Nakuru in time for lunch.
1530 Hours: Afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park (Rhino sanctuary & flamingo viewing).
1830 Hours: Dinner and overnight in Nakuru

Day 4: Lake Nakuru – Nairobi

0630 Hours: Early morning game drive (best time to spot leopards/rhinos)
0900 Hours: Breakfast and check out
1000 Hours: Depart for Nairobi
1400 Hours –1500 Hours: Arrive in Nairobi for drop-off at hotel or airport

Important Information

✓ Optional Full Day: You can choose a full-day game drive with a packed lunch instead of two shorter drives
✓ Travel Times: Nairobi to Samburu is about 6–7 hours. The drive from Samburu to Lake Nakuru is roughly 5 hours

Take 4 days to experience this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife journey by road to two of Kenya’s most incredible game parks – Samburu Game Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park.

Enjoy full board accommodation, that’s all meals included, at well-selected safari lodges offering top-notch accommodation inside the scenic national parks and reserves.

The safari begins in Nairobi and travels north (345 km from Nairobi) to the Big Five haven of Samburu National Reserve, situated at the southeastern corner of Samburu District.

The reserve is rich in wildlife, renowned for its abundance of rare northern specialist species such as the Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk, and the Beisa Oryx (also referred to as the Samburu Special).

The reserve is also popular, with a minimum of 900 elephants. Large predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, Grevy’s zebras, gerenuks, and wild dogs. Bird life is abundant, with over 450 species recorded.

A visit to the local Samburu village offers a chance to interact with the colourful Samburu people in their traditional setting and experience their culture.

After 2 nights a Samburu we proceed by road to Lake Nakuru National Park. Highlights of Lake Nakuru include sightings of tree-climbing lions and both black and white rhinos, for which the reserve is better known today.

Commonly sighted animals include giraffes, baboons, zebras, buffalo, antelopes, and hippos, with rare sightings of leopards.

On the final day of this Kenya road Safari, we have breakfast at the lodge overlooking scenic Lake Nakuru, followed by a game drive, and then journey back to the bustling city of Nairobi.

By mid-afternoon, we arrive in Nairobi, where you can be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or at a hotel.

4 Days 3 Nights Samburu Game Reserve Lake Nakuru Safari Rates Include

✓ Multiple Game drives
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open top
✓ Multi-lingual Professional Safari Guide/ Driver
✓ Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water
✓ Choice of accommodation in Samburu Game Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park
✓ Round-trip transport from Nairobi to Samburu Game Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park

Notes

* Departs daily and upon request

4 Days 3 Nights Samburu Game Reserve Lake Nakuru Safari Rates Exclude

✘ International Airfare
✘ A visit to a Samburu Village
✘ Accommodation in Nairobi
✘ Cost of obtaining a passport and visas
✘ Gratuity for your professional driver-guide
✘ Sundowner bush cocktails and bush dinner
✘ Gratuity for porters/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
✘ Personal expenses, transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)
✘ Personal expenses such as travelling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls, beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary

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