Safari packages
Samburu safari packages
Road and fly-in safari itineraries to Samburu National Park from Nairobi, from three nights in a riverside camp to five-night conservancy stays.
A safari in Samburu lets you explore three less-visited protected areas — Samburu National Park, Buffalo Springs and Shaba — with far fewer vehicles than the southern parks. This is dry northern Kenya, home to species you will not see in the Mara: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx and the blue-legged Somali ostrich, alongside elephant, lion, cheetah and leopard. Over 450 bird species and the culture of the Samburu people round out the experience.
Every itinerary below has a minimum stay of three nights, with four and five night options for those who want to add Buffalo Springs, Shaba and a community conservancy. All prices are indicative and quoted per person, per night sharing a double or twin room — they vary by season and by the camp or lodge you choose.
By road
Road safaris
The most popular way to reach Samburu, starting and ending in Nairobi. The drive takes five to seven hours depending on your camp, in a 4x4 Land Cruiser or a less costly safari minibus. You pay less and see far more of the Kenyan countryside; the trade-off is that sections of the route are rough.
3 nights / 4 days · Mid-range
3 Night Samburu Safari
Our shortest itinerary, and the minimum we recommend by road: three nights at a comfortable riverside tented camp or lodge inside the park.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Nairobi to Samburu
Depart Nairobi after breakfast, driving north past Mount Kenya and through Nanyuki and Isiolo. Arrive at your camp in time for lunch, then head out on an afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro River.
Day 2 — Full day in Samburu
Morning and afternoon game drives searching for the Samburu Special Five — Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich — plus elephant, lion and leopard.
Day 3 — River circuits & culture
A long morning drive on the river circuits with a picnic breakfast, an afternoon at leisure, then a visit to a Samburu manyatta and sundowners.
Day 4 — Samburu to Nairobi
An early game drive, breakfast at camp, then the road transfer back to Nairobi with a lunch stop, arriving late afternoon.
Included
- Road transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser or safari minibus
- Professional driver-guide
- Full board accommodation for three nights
- Park entry fees
- Game drives as per itinerary
From US$ 195 – 320 per person, per night
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4 nights / 5 days · Luxury
4 Night Luxury Samburu Safari
The same route in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a guaranteed window seat, and four nights at a premium riverside camp with pool and river-view tents.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Nairobi to Samburu
Private morning departure with a stop at the equator crossing in Nanyuki. Arrive for lunch at your luxury camp, then an afternoon game drive.
Day 2 — Full day in Samburu
Sunrise game drive with bush breakfast, siesta by the pool, then an evening drive ending with sundowners on a rocky outcrop.
Day 3 — Buffalo Springs
Cross the river into Buffalo Springs for open plains, clear spring-fed pools and excellent Grevy's zebra and oryx sightings.
Day 4 — Culture & river
A morning with the Save the Elephants research area and the doum palm forest, an afternoon manyatta or singing wells visit, and a final evening drive.
Day 5 — Samburu to Nairobi
Final morning drive along the river before the return road transfer to Nairobi.
Included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with open roof hatch
- Full board luxury accommodation for four nights
- Park entry fees and game drives
- Bottled water and sundowners
From US$ 240 – 430 per person, per night
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5 nights / 6 days · Luxury
5 Night Exclusive Samburu Safari
Five nights allows time to explore Buffalo Springs and Shaba alongside Samburu, and to add walking safaris and cultural visits in a neighbouring conservancy.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Nairobi to Samburu
Road transfer north, lunch at camp and an afternoon game drive.
Day 2 — Samburu National Park
Full day of game viewing with a picnic lunch, focused on the river circuits and the Special Five.
Day 3 — Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Cross into Buffalo Springs and Shaba for different habitats, springs and volcanic scenery, returning for an evening drive.
Day 4 — Conservancy day
Transfer to a neighbouring conservancy for a guided walk, camel trek or night drive not permitted inside the park.
Day 5 — Wildlife & culture
A last full day on the river circuits, with a Samburu village visit and sundowners overlooking the plains.
Day 6 — Samburu to Nairobi
Early game drive, breakfast, then the drive back to Nairobi.
Included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser and driver-guide
- Full board accommodation for five nights
- All park and conservancy fees
- Cultural visit and guided walk
From US$ 285 – 490 per person, per night
Enquire about this safariBy air
Fly-in safaris
Scheduled flights leave Wilson Airport in Nairobi daily and reach Samburu in about 1.5 hours. Guests are met at the airstrip and transferred to their camp in time for lunch, with game drives run by the property in 4x4 safari vehicles.
3 nights / 4 days · Fly-in
3 Night Samburu Fly-In Safari
The quickest route into the park — a 1.5 hour flight from Wilson Airport and three nights at a riverside camp, with drives morning and evening.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Fly Nairobi to Samburu
Morning flight from Wilson Airport, met at the airstrip with a game drive en route to camp. Lunch, rest and an afternoon game drive.
Day 2 — Full day in Samburu
Morning and afternoon game drives on the river circuits, with a bush breakfast and sundowners.
Day 3 — Wildlife & culture
A long morning drive, then the option of a Samburu village visit or singing wells experience in the afternoon.
Day 4 — Samburu to Nairobi
Sunrise game drive and breakfast before your midday flight back to Nairobi.
Included
- Return scheduled flights Nairobi–Samburu
- Airstrip transfers and game drives in camp vehicles
- Full board accommodation for three nights
- Park entry fees
From US$ 415 – 545 per person, per night
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4 nights / 5 days · Fly-in
4 Night Samburu Fly-In Safari
Four nights in camp with eight game drives — the best balance of time in the park and time on a plane rather than a road.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Fly to Samburu
Flight from Wilson Airport, transfer to camp with game viewing, afternoon drive and sundowners.
Day 2 — Full day in Samburu
Morning and afternoon game drives, with a bush breakfast on the river.
Day 3 — Buffalo Springs
A day across the river in Buffalo Springs, with its springs, open plains and dry-country specials.
Day 4 — Culture & leopards
Village visit or singing wells in the morning, then an evening drive in the riverine forest for leopard.
Day 5 — Fly to Nairobi
Final morning game drive, then the flight back to Nairobi.
Included
- Return scheduled flights
- Full board accommodation for four nights
- Shared game drives in 4x4 camp vehicles
- Park entry fees
From US$ 395 – 520 per person, per night
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5 nights / 6 days · Fly-in · Conservancy
5 Night Samburu Fly-In Safari
Five nights split between the national park and a community conservancy, adding walking safaris, night drives and camel treks.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Fly to Samburu
Flight from Nairobi, transfer to your riverside camp, afternoon game drive.
Day 2 — Samburu National Park
Full day exploring the park's river circuits with a bush breakfast.
Day 3 — Buffalo Springs & Shaba
A full day across the river in Buffalo Springs and Shaba, with a picnic lunch.
Day 4 — Conservancy day
Transfer to a neighbouring conservancy for a guided walk, camel trek or night drive.
Day 5 — Conservancy & culture
Morning walk with Samburu guides, afternoon at leisure, then sundowners on the escarpment.
Day 6 — Fly to Nairobi
Morning drive, breakfast and the flight home.
Included
- Return scheduled flights
- Five nights full board
- Park and conservancy fees
- Walking safari and night drive
From US$ 380 – 640 per person, per night
Enquire about this safariSafari vehicles
Two vehicle types are used across Kenya: the safari minibus and the 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser. Both have game-viewing roof hatches and radios for locating wildlife. The Land Cruiser is more comfortable on Samburu's rough tracks and gives every guest a window seat, which matters for photography — see our photography guide. Independent travellers who book their own lodges can also hire a vehicle with a driver-guide.
When to travel
Samburu is a year-round destination, with the driest, easiest game viewing from June to October and again from December to March. Read more on the best time to visit, or check current park fees and how to get there.
Enquire
Request a tailored safari quote
Tell us your dates, group size and which itinerary interests you and we will send a detailed quote with camp options at your budget.
Prefer to choose your camp first?
Browse every lodge, tented camp and campsite in and around Samburu National Park and we will build the itinerary around it.