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8 Days Reconnecting With The Wild In Laikipia And Samburu, Phones Off, Senses On | Africa safari
Luxury Safaris · 8 Days · Kenya

8 Days Reconnecting With The Wild In Laikipia And Samburu,Phones Off, Senses On

Rhino on foot, night drives, a sleep-out under the Milky Way and the rare northern species of Samburu. Kenya's quiet, wild north.

Duration8 Days7 Nights
WhereLaikipia+ Samburu
From$6,400per person sharing
Best TimeJun – OctAlso Jan – Mar
PaceModerateSome walking
The Journey

Why You Will Love This One

Switch off the phone, switch on the senses. Laikipia and Samburu are where Kenya keeps its quiet, rare and slightly shy residents, and where you remember how to breathe slowly.

In Laikipia you track rhino and wild dog on a private conservancy, ride out at dusk and sleep on a star-bed deck. In Samburu you meet the northern five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and beisa oryx.

Fewer vehicles, more freedom. Walk, drive at night and linger where the wildlife is, and let the guides worry about the clock.

  • Rhino tracking and wild dog on a private conservancy
  • Night drives, when the bush really wakes up
  • A sleep-out on a star-bed deck under the Milky Way
  • Samburu's rare northern species from a riverside suite
Your Route

Three Camps, Seven Nights

A private conservancy, a night under the stars and a riverside camp in the north. Three very different faces of wild Kenya.

ADay 1 · Day 8NairobiWilson Airport
50 min flight
1Days 1 – 3LaikipiaPrivate conservancy lodge3 nights
Short drive
2Day 4Star BedSleep-out deck1 night
Drive or short flight
3Days 5 – 7SamburuRiverside camp3 nights
Morning flight
BDay 8NairobiFly home
Highlights

What You Will Remember

Rhino Tracking
Rhino TrackingFollow rangers on foot to black and white rhino.
Night Drives
Night DrivesLeopards, genets and bush babies after dark.
Star-Bed Sleep-Out
Star-Bed Sleep-OutA bed on a deck, a net, and the whole sky.
Samburu Culture
Samburu CultureTea, songs and stories with a Samburu family.
Camel Caravan
Camel CaravanA walk beside laden camels along a dry riverbed.
Riverbed Dinner
Riverbed DinnerA candlelit bush dinner under acacia trees.
Day By Day

Your 8 Days, In Detail

A typical flow for this safari. Timings shift with the herds, the weather and your wishes, and your guide has the final say on where the action is.

Up, Up And Away To LaikipiaDay1
Nairobi to Laikipia

Up, Up And Away To Laikipia

MorningMeet your guide at Wilson Airport for the short flight to Laikipia. The Rift Valley and Mount Kenya slide past your window.

AfternoonSettle into your suite on the conservancy, then head out for an afternoon drive. Sundowners come with a view of Mount Kenya.

Overnight
Private conservancy lodge, Laikipia
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Flight, about 50 min
Activities
Afternoon game drive and sundowners
Rhino On FootDay2
Laikipia

Rhino On Foot

MorningHead out with an armed ranger and a tracker to find black and white rhino on foot. Quiet steps, big thrills.

AfternoonVisit the conservancy's endangered wild dog den (when active) and drive back at sunset past elephant and Jackson's hartebeest.

Overnight
Private conservancy lodge, Laikipia
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
On foot and private 4x4
Activities
Rhino tracking and wild dog
When The Bush Wakes UpDay3
Laikipia

When The Bush Wakes Up

MorningA slow morning, then a camel walk along the river with a picnic breakfast. Horse riding is available on request.

AfternoonAfter tea, set out on a night drive with a spotlight. Leopards, genets, porcupines and bush babies come out to play.

Overnight
Private conservancy lodge, Laikipia
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Private 4x4 and camel walk
Activities
Camel walk and night drive
A Bed Under The StarsDay4
Laikipia

A Bed Under The Stars

MorningAfter breakfast, drive to a remote star-bed camp on the edge of an escarpment with huge views over the plains.

AfternoonSundowners on the rocks, a hosted bush dinner and then bed, outdoors on a raised deck beneath the Milky Way. Don't worry, there is a bathroom nearby.

Overnight
Star-bed sleep-out, Laikipia
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Private 4x4
Activities
Escarpment walk and star-bed night
North To SamburuDay5
Samburu National Reserve

North To Samburu

MorningFly or drive north to Samburu, where the landscape turns red and dry. Settle in on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro river.

AfternoonAn afternoon drive along the river. Look for elephants bathing, crocodiles on the sandbanks and the rare Samburu special five.

Overnight
Riverside camp, Samburu
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Flight or drive
Activities
Afternoon river drive
Warriors And WildlifeDay6
Samburu National Reserve

Warriors And Wildlife

MorningEarly game drive for leopard, cheetah and lion, then back to camp for brunch. Wildlife viewing here is wonderfully close.

AfternoonVisit a Samburu family for a cultural encounter with songs, beadwork and stories. Return for sundowners and dinner by the fire.

Overnight
Riverside camp, Samburu
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
Private 4x4
Activities
Game drives and Samburu visit
Camels And CandlelightDay7
Samburu National Reserve

Camels And Candlelight

MorningA morning bush walk with camels and your guide, learning to read tracks and spot the tiny details.

AfternoonFree afternoon by the pool, then a private dinner on the riverbed under the stars, lit by lanterns and a roaring fire.

Overnight
Riverside camp, Samburu
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Getting Around
On foot and private 4x4
Activities
Bush walk and riverbed dinner
Kwaheri, Wild NorthDay8
Samburu to Nairobi

Kwaheri, Wild North

MorningOne last coffee with the elephants. Transfer to the airstrip for a morning flight back to Nairobi.

AfternoonLand at Wilson Airport in time for lunch or your onward flight. We suggest a departure after 2 pm. Ask us about adding the Mara or the coast.

Meals
Breakfast
Getting Around
Flight, about 1 hr
Activities
Transfer to airstrip
When To Go

The Best Time To Go

The north is a year-round destination, but the dry months give the easiest wildlife viewing. Brighter blocks mean better conditions.

Game viewing, Samburu

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Rhino and wild dog, Laikipia

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Quiet camps and best rates

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
FairGoodBest

An honest word. The long rains (April to May) bring green plains, few visitors and the lowest rates, but some roads get muddy. Samburu's animals gather at the river in the dry months, which makes June to October and January to March the most reliable windows.

Where You Stay

Wake Up In The Wild North

Small, characterful camps chosen for their position and their welcome. We confirm the exact camps when we shape your proposal.

Check Out All Stays / Camps
Suite with a wide view over the conservancy01

Conservancy Lodge

A handful of spacious suites with fireplaces and verandahs looking out to Mount Kenya. Rhino and elephants often visit the waterhole below.

  • Laikipia
  • 3 Nights
  • Night Drives
More Laikipia Stays →
Star-bed deck over the plains02

Star-Bed Sleep-Out

A raised deck, a proper mattress and a mosquito net under the open sky. Dinner is hosted on the rocks nearby.

  • Laikipia
  • 1 Night
  • Under The Stars
More Sleep-Outs →
Riverside tent terrace in Samburu03

Riverside Camp

Raised tents on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro, with a deck for watching elephants drink in the evening and a pool for the midday heat.

  • Samburu
  • 3 Nights
  • Riverside Deck
More Samburu Camps →
Rates

What It Costs

Indicative prices per person sharing a suite, on full board, flights from Nairobi included. We confirm the exact figure in your written proposal.

Apr – May, Nov

Green Season

$6,400per person sharing

Lush and quiet, with the lowest rates.

Jan – Mar, Jun

Shoulder

$7,500per person sharing

Dry and bright, with good wildlife and fewer vehicles.

Jul – Oct, Dec

Peak Season

$8,600per person sharing

The most reliable game viewing. Book early.

Single-room supplements apply. Children travel at reduced rates, ask us. Rates may change with camp rates and fuel.

Good To Know

What Is Included, What Is Not

Included

  • Meet and greet and all airport and airstrip transfers
  • Accommodation as listed, on full board
  • House drinks, soft drinks and bottled water in camp
  • Daily game drives with a private guide in a 4x4 with a window seat for each guest
  • Return flights Nairobi (Wilson) to Laikipia and Samburu
  • Guided walks, camel walk and Samburu village visit
  • A night in the star-bed camp
  • All park, conservancy and activity fees
  • Private bush breakfast or dinner at least once
  • Emergency medical evacuation cover (AMREF)

Not Included

  • International flights to and from East Africa
  • Visas and electronic travel authorisations
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Tips for guides and camp staff (about $15 per person per day)
  • Premium spirits, champagne and personal purchases
  • Optional activities not listed
  • Single-room supplement
Know Before You Go

Pack Light, Travel Smart

The small stuff that makes a big difference. Tap a topic for the details, and ask us anything we have missed.

Riverbed Dinner
Questions?We reply within a day, usually sooner.
Ask Us Anything
Getting There

Fly into Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta) and we meet you at arrivals. Please arrive the day before your safari if you can, so a late flight never costs you a game drive.

Baggage

Light aircraft take soft bags only, with a limit of 15 kg per person including camera gear and hand luggage. We store spare bags safely.

What To Pack

Neutral layers, a warm fleece for early drives, a sun hat, sunglasses and good binoculars. Evenings are cool and days are warm.

Health And Safety

A yellow fever certificate may be needed if you come from a risk country. Ask your doctor about malaria cover. Our guides carry first-aid kits and radios.

Visas And Entry

Most visitors need a Kenya eTA, applied for online before travel. We guide you through it. Your passport needs six months of validity and spare pages.

Tipping

Tips are a kind way to say thanks. A guide is about $15 per person per day, with a shared tip for camp staff at each camp.

Good Questions

This Safari, Answered

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