5 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Meru National Park from Nairobi
Experience an unforgettable 5-day/ 4-night Big 5 Safari in Kenya‘s prominent national parks and reserves across different regions:
✓Aberdare National Park is in the central highlands near Nyeri
✓ Samburu National Reserve is in the arid northern region along the Ewaso Ngiro River
✓ Meru National Park lies northeast of Mount Kenya
Stay in a luxury safari lodge and enjoy expert-guided game drives in search of Africa’s iconic wildlife. This 5-day northern Kenya safari begins and ends in Nairobi. The tour departs at 0730 Hours, with a scenic route to Aberdare National Park (a 2-hour drive) for an overnight stay.
It also features intensive game viewing in dry, wildlife-rich ecosystems, specifically targeting Samburu’s “Special Five” and the lush landscapes of Meru National Park, home of Elsa the Lioness. The tour concludes on day 5 with a return to Nairobi by 1800 Hours.
5-Days/ 4 Nights Aberdare, Samburu, & Meru Kenya Safari Highlights
✓ Visiting Meru’s Rhino Sanctuary: A highlight of a lesser-visited, pristine national park
✓ Tracking “Special” Wildlife: Searching for the arid-adapted species in Samburu National Reserve
✓ Nocturnal Wildlife Viewing: Watching animals congregate at waterholes from the safety of luxury tree lodges
✓ Culture: Experience a traditional Samburu village visit to learn about their ancient nomadic way of life
✓ Aberdare National Park (Day 1): Known for stunning green scenery and high-altitude moorlands. Experience overnight animal viewing from “tree hotels” like The Ark or Treetops, which overlook active waterholes visited by elephants, buffalo, and sometimes the elusive bongo antelope
✓ Samburu National Reserve (Days 2-3): Famous for the “Samburu Special Five”—rare species not typically found in the south: Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich, and Gerenuk. The area is arid and scenic, with game drives along the Ewaso Nyiro River providing excellent chances to see leopards and lions
✓ Meru National Park (Day 4): A remote, less crowded paradise often described as wild and authentic. Highlights include exploring the Rhino Sanctuary, diverse landscapes, and visiting the former home of Joy and George Adamson, where the famous lioness Elsa (of Born Free) was raised
5-Days/4 Nights Aberdare, Samburu, & Meru Kenya Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Aberdare National Park (Approx. 3-4 hours)
0730 Hours – 1030 Hours: Pick up from Nairobi hotel/airport and drive to the Aberdare region
12:00 – 14:00: Arrive for check-in and lunch at a base hotel (e.g., The Ark or Treetops).
14:30 – 18:30: Afternoon game drive or spectacular tree-hotel balcony viewing of animals at watering holes.
Overnight: The Ark or Treetops Lodge.
Day 2: Aberdare to Samburu National Reserve (Approx. 4-5 hours)
0700 Hours – 0800 Hours: Early breakfast at the lodge
0800 Hours – 1300 Hours: Scenic drive north, passing the equator line, arriving in Samburu for lunch
1530 Hours – 1830 Hours: Afternoon game drive in Samburu, known for rare species like Reticulated Giraffe and Beisa Oryx
Overnight: Ashnil Samburu Camp or similar
Day 3: Full Day in Samburu National Reserve
0630 Hours – 0930 Hours: Early morning game drive in the reserve
1000 Hours – 1300 Hours: Full breakfast and relaxation/siesta by the pool
1600 Hours – 1830 Hours: Evening game drive, looking for leopards and lions
Optional: Samburu cultural village visit
Day 4: Samburu to Meru National Park (Approx. 3-4 hours)
0730 Hours – 0900 Hours: Breakfast and checkout
0900 Hours – 1300 Hours: Drive to Meru National Park with a game drive en route
1300 Hours – 1430 Hours: Lunch at the camp and relaxation
1530 Hours – 1830 Hours: Afternoon game drive to view the lush scenery and rivers of Meru
Overnight: Elsa’s Kopje or similar
Day 5: Meru National Park to Nairobi (Approx. 5-6 hours)
0630 Hours – 0830 Hours: Early-morning game drive, followed by breakfast
0930 Hours – 1030 Hours: Check out and begin the drive back to Nairobi
1300 Hours – 1400 Hours: Lunch in Nanyuki or en route
1600 Hours – 1630 Hours: Arrive in Nairobi for drop-off at the airport or hotel
Important information
Packing: Only small bags are allowed at the tree lodges in Aberdare
Optional Activity: A visit to a Samburu village is available at an extra cost
This classic 5-day Kenya road Safari offers ample opportunities to view the abundant African wildlife in Aberdare National Park, Samburu National Reserve, and Meru 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.
Beginning and ending in Nairobi, the tour travels to the Aberdare National Park, where guests enjoy game viewing from the comfort of lodge balconies and lounges. Then, after visiting 2 premier parks and game reserves of Kenya, located north of the equator, namely Samburu Game Reserve and Meru National Park.
Day 1 of our safari begins with a visit to the Aberdare National Park, located 160 kilometers (99 miles) from Nairobi. The park provides a habitat for elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, buffaloes, warthogs, and bushbucks, among others.
Rare sightings include those of the Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval, African wild cat, African civet, and blue duiker. We spend a night enjoying nocturnal animal viewing at one of the two lodges in the park – Treetops and Ark. Both provide excellent game viewing at night over the watering hole.
On Day 2, we hit the road in our 4×4 safari vehicle, driving north to the Samburu National Reserve. Samburu lies 185 kilometers north of the Aberdare National Park and derives its name from the Samburu people of Kenya.
On Day 3, we take morning and evening game drives, where we may encounter lions, cheetahs, and leopards, and are likely to see elephants, hippos, and buffalo. Grevy’s zebras, oryx, giraffes, gerenuks, other antelopes, and wild dogs are also found in Samburu.
The park is also rich in birdlife, hosting over 350 species. Samburu is one of the two areas where Elsa the lioness, of Born Free fame, was raised by George and Joy Adamson. Another highlight is encountering the traditional Samburu people, whose indigenous culture still follows ancient practices.
Day 4 takes us to Meru National Park, located 90 km south of Samburu Game Reserve. Game viewing here includes Grevy’s zebras, elephants, Bohor reedbucks, hartebeests, pythons, puff adders, cobras, buffaloes, and more than 427 recorded species of birds.
On Day 5 (last day) on safari, we head off into the bush on an early morning game drive in Meru National Park before enjoying breakfast back at camp. Then we return to bustling Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, arriving in the afternoon. The Safari ends upon arrival in Nairobi.
5 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare, Samburu & Meru National Park Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Tree Hotel (Aberdare National Park)
Day 2: Tree Hotel – Drive to Samburu National Reserve
Day 3: Explore Samburu National Reserve
Day 4:Samburu – Drive to Meru National Park
Day 5: Meru National Park – Drive to Nairobi
5 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare, Samburu & Meru National Park Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Tree Hotel (Aberdare National Park)
0800 Hours: This morning, we depart Nairobi and proceed north, driving through lush tea and coffee estates to The Ark forest Lodge, Treetops Lodge, or Serena Mountain Lodge. Nestled in the foothills between Aberdare and Mount Kenya National Park, the lodges are famous for high perches and balconies, overlooking a salt lick and waterhole.
Aberdare National Park is home to the second-largest population of black rhinos, which are an endangered species. Other animals that may be observed in the park include African lions, leopards, baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and Sykes monkeys.
There are also over 250 bird species, including hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds, and plovers. Overnight at the Ark Forest Lodge, Serena Mountain Lodge, or Treetops Lodge
Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Treetops Lodge, Ark Forest Lodge, Serena Mountain Lodge
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}
Day 2: Tree Hotel – Drive to Samburu National Reserve
0900 Hours: After breakfast, drive north to Samburu National Reserve – a rugged and semi-desert park located in the Samburu district in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. The park borders the Samburu tribe’s homes in Kenya, a tribe known for its remote culture and pastoral, nomadic way of life.
1200 Hours: We arrive in time for lunch at our lodge/ camp. Enjoy some rest time before the afternoon game drive.
1530 Hours: An afternoon game drive will introduce you to the animals that are found in the park.
These include cheetahs, lions, leopards, impalas, buffalo, hippos, and dik-diks, as well as the native gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Elephants, Nile crocodiles in the river.
1830 Hours: Return to the camp or lodge before sunset.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Elephant Bedroom Camp, Saruni Samburu Lodge
Mid-Range Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Lion King Bush Camp, Samburu
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 3: Explore Samburu National Reserve
This full day in the Samburu Game Reserve will be spent searching for the Big Five and the Samburu Five, and observing the vast, unspoiled scenery during morning and afternoon game-viewing drives. The park is plentiful with crocodiles that bask on muddy riverbanks and velvet monkeys that frolic in the late afternoon sun.
Samburu is renowned for its rare fauna, known as the ‘Samburu five’. These five particular animals are usually only found north of the equator – the long-necked gerenuk, the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, the beisa oryx, and the Somali ostrich.
A camel-back safari is a specialty in Samburu, and a cultural visit to the Samburu people, who depend on their cattle, goats, sheep, and donkeys, can also be arranged.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Elephant Bedroom Camp, Saruni Samburu Lodge
Mid-Range Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Lion King Bush Camp, Samburu
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 4: Samburu – Drive to Meru National Park
0630 Hours: A morning game drive in this wild but splendid reserve.
1000 Hours: Continue to Meru National Park, arriving in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. Meru National Park achieved worldwide fame with its association with Joy Adamson’s Born Free.
Meru National Park has a wide range of wildlife, including elephants, hippopotami, lions, leopards, cheetahs, reticulated giraffes, and zebras. The birdlife is also impressive, and there are roughly 280 recorded species.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Elewana Elsa’s Kopje Meru, Rhino River Camp
Mid-Range Accommodation: Ikweta Safari Camp, Ikweta Country Inn
Budget Accommodation: Westwind Hotel, Three Steers Hotel, Gatimene Gardens
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 5: Meru National Park – Drive to Nairobi
0630 Hours – 0830 Hours: Enjoy an early morning game drive. Return to your lodge/ hotel for a proper sit-down English breakfast.
1000 Hours: Check out of the hotel and depart by road back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon.
Meal Plan {Breakfast}
5 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare, Samburu & Meru National Park Prices
5-Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Meru National Park Rates Include
✓ Mineral water during the tour
✓Enjoy extensive Game drives
✓All meals included while on safari
✓ Professional experienced driver-guide
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open top
✓ Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water
✓ Accommodation of your choice at the Aberdare, Samburu & Meru National Park
✓ Round-trip transport from Nairobi to Aberdare, Samburu, and Meru National Park
| Dates From | Dates To | Price Per Person | Children Aged 3 to 12 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st January 2026 | 31st December 2026 | Request for rates | Request for rates |
Notes
* Tour picks up from Nairobi airport, Nairobi city hotels, or Nairobi residences
* Transportation is in a customized pop-up top safari mini-van. You can upgrade to a roof 4 x 4 Land Cruiser at an extra cost
* Our 5-Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Meru National Park tour departs from Nairobi at 0730 Hours on day 1 and returns approximately at 1630 Hours on the last day
* This safari departs from Nairobi and explores premier parks and game reserves of Kenya located north of the equator: namely, Samburu Game Reserve and Meru National Park. In addition, you will visit the Aberdare National Park
5-Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Meru National Park Rates Exclude
* Drinks
* Laundry
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)
Booking & Reservations 5 Day Kenya Safari Aberdare Samburu Meru National Park Contact
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