NORTHERN KENYA – EXPERIENCE REMOTENESS
5 Days / 4 Nights Guided Lodge Safari
Experience one of the most stunning areas of the country on this private Northern Kenya safari. We take you to Solio, Samburu and Ol Pejeta – Kenya’s wilderness areas favoured by locals and those who want to leave the rest of the world behind. Off the beaten track, you immerse yourself in nature and enjoy exclusive wildlife encounters from the window-seat of our 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers. On a walking safari, admire giraffes, zebras, and antelopes from close proximity. If you want to see and observe rhinos in their natural habitat, this Northern Kenya safari will surpass your expectations. Here in the north, you will see species you won’t find anywhere else in Kenya. If you’re looking for a unique experience away from touristy routes, this safari is for you.
Highlights
Day 1-5 | Kenya
- You travel in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with guaranteed window seat and pop-up roof
- Solio Game Reserve: hidden gem, very high number of rhinos
- Samburu National Reserve: game drives along the river, animals of the arid region, stunning landscapes
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy: game drives against the backdrop of Mt Kenya, Big Five, many rhinos
Facts
Private Safari:
Northern Kenya - Experience Remoteness
Tourcode: KE05KENNOR
From: Nairobi
To: Nairobi
Min number to guarantee tour:
private safari
Max number of participants:
private safari
Departure day: any day of your choice
Price: from 1,370 USD pp (7 pax)
Single Supplement: from 60 USD
Itinerary
Day 1 | Nairobi – Solio Game Reserve – Aberdare Region
Distance approx. 200 km; driving time approx. 3.5 hours
It’s time to leave the rest of the world behind and embark on your safari around Kenya’s stunning and remote northern wilderness areas. We meet you for a briefing in the morning, where you will also meet your safari guide. Afterwards, you drive north in your 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser. From your window seat you can see city dwellings making way for shrubs and open plains. Out here, nature is in charge. Just in time for a picnic lunch, you arrive at Solio Game Reserve in the Aberdare Region. Solio is a hidden gem on the tourist map, but well-known in the conservation community for its large rhino populations. It is one if not the best place in East Africa to see large numbers of rhinos. They live alongside lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks and many other species in this picturesque and exclusive reserve. You will be surprised how much you will see and learn on only your first day in Kenya’s wilderness. When the sun begins to set, you will leave the Solio Game Reserve and drive to the idyllic Aberdare Country Club where you spend your first night on safari.
Lunch | Dinner
Day 2 | Aberdare Region – Samburu Nature Reserve
Distance approx. 170 km; driving time approx. 4 hours
A very special morning awaits you on your Northern Kenya safari: wake up bright and early and explore your lodge’s private game sanctuary on a nature walk. Accompanied by a ranger, you take a walk amongst giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and other wildlife. This walking safari is a great opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Kenya’s nature and get as close to the animals as possible. Take in the smells and sounds and colours on this magical morning walk. Afterwards, you can rest in your comfortable Land Cruiser while your guide takes you to your next destination: the Samburu Nature Reserve. Samburu is known for its spectacular scenery and unique wildlife. Large elephant herds, lions, and buffaloes share Samburu with oryx antelopes, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes and giraffe-necked gerenuks – species you will see nowhere else in Kenya. On an afternoon game drive, you explore this exclusive nature reserve together with your guide. Like many of the northerly parks, Samburu is not yet well-known amongst international travellers – an exclusive and private experience off the beaten track awaits you. Your home for the next two nights is the Ashnil Samburu Camp on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3 | Samburu Nature Reserve
Waking up to the sounds of the bush is the best way to begin another exciting day on your Northern Kenya safari. Today, you have ample time for extensive game drives in Samburu and the adjacent Buffalo Springs Nature Reserve. Get more than just a glimpse of the resident wildlife, while our guide shares his local knowledge about the animals’ behaviour and social structures. The dry and hot climate give the area its very own character: from grassland and bushes to numerous inselbergs or kopjes and the life-giving Ewaso Nyiro River, all is coloured in the magical light of hot and dry northern Kenya. During the dry season, the river attracts many animals making it the ideal spot for wildlife sightings. Look out for elephants crossing the riverbed, giraffe-necked gerenuks reaching for leaves high in the bushes, lions shading from the sun and crocodiles lurking in the shallow waters. Exploring Samburu, you will truly feel like you have left the world as you know it. When the shadows grow longer, return to the Ashnil Samburu Camp, your home in the middle of nature.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 4 | Samburu Nature Reserve – Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Distance approx. 145 km; driving time approx. 3 hours
Look out for the region’s unique wildlife one last time when leaving camp this morning. The next opportunity for an exciting sighting however won’t be long in coming. In the early afternoon, you will arrive at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the beautiful Mt Kenya region. This Big Five private conservancy on the equator is a leading example for wildlife conservation and home to endangered black rhinos and African Wild Dogs. On your afternoon game drive, look out not only for these endangered species, but also the other members of the Big Five. In a relatively small area, Ol Pejeta is home to a large variety of wildlife, all the while the mighty Mt Kenya towers in the background. You will overnight at the Sweetwaters Serena Camp. From the private terrace of your safari tent, watch the resident wildlife stroll by, while enjoying a sundowner.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5 | Ol Pejeta Conservancy – Nairobi
Distance approx. 210 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours
After a tasty breakfast, it is now time to leave the bush behind and head back to Kenya’s bustling capital Nairobi. Here, your Northern Kenya safari will come to an end. We will take you to your hotel and say our goodbyes.Breakfast | Lunch
If you want to continue your safari experience, you can instead book a flight to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, departing from Nanyuki, close to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Without having to drive to Nairobi, you will arrive in the Mara, one of the world’s most popular and well-known game reserves, on the very same day. Get in touch to arrange your flight and onward safari with us.
Includes
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- 4 nights’ stay in lodges and tented camps (depending on availability, accommodation of a similar standard will be booked)
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Mineral water
- Activities as per itinerary
- All national park fees
- Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari
Excludes
- Flights (international and domestic)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Optional activities
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
FAQ
- This is a private tour and hence the group will only consist of the people you chose to travel with. Our vehicles can take a maximum of 7 people and should your group be bigger than that, more than one vehicle will be used.
- There is no official age limit, but due to the many hours spent in the vehicle, we don’t recommend this trip for children under the age of 6 years. However, if parents can confidently say that their children are comfortable in travelling long distances, they are of course welcome. However, parents are responsible for their children at all times.
- You will stay in hotels, safari lodges or permanent tented camps (with en-suite bathrooms). Safari lodges are solid buildings, whereas tented camps are permanently set-up, walk-in safari style tents that offer the same service as hotels and lodges.
- We only use specially converted 4×4 safari vehicles (i.e. Toyota Land Cruiser) that are able to take on the harsh Kenyan road conditions. Each guest will enjoy a window seat and during game drives the roof will open, ensuring unspoilt views.
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- Meals are included as stated in the itinerary and mineral water is also supplied during the safari. All other drinks such as soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are excluded and need to be settled by yourself.
- You will dine at the respective accommodations. For breakfast, a buffet is usually set up, whereas a three-course menu is typically served for dinner. Lunch is mostly enjoyed en-route in form of pre-packed lunch (lunch-box) consisting of sandwiches, boiled eggs and fruits or grilled chicken thighs.
Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements or food allergies and we will do our outmost to cater for them (only possible with advanced notification).
- Upon booking you will receive a detailed packing list that will assist you in deciding what to bring.
- Yes there are and due to the fact that space in the vehicle is limited, luggage is restricted to 15 kg in a soft bag or rucksack. In addition, guests are allowed one small piece of hand luggage. Please refrain from bringing bulky suitcases as this can cause problems when storing the luggage. Furthermore, please do not forget to read up on your airlines respective luggage policy.
- Yes, you should bring along some cash for extras like drinks, snacks, souvenirs and tips.
- Please make sure that your USD bills that have been printed after 2004 as any earlier dated bills will not be accepted.
- Tipping after a safari is customary and we recommend 15-20 USD per day per group for the guide.
- Entry requirements vary depending on the citizenship of the traveller. As of 01.01.2021, visas will no longer be issued upon arrival and e-visas will become compulsory. It is the sole responsibility of every traveller to be in possession of all required documents. We strongly suggest that you contact your respective embassy for the latest visa regulations.
- In general, East Africa poses no higher health risks than many other destinations. Please consult your GP or a tropical disease institute regarding appropriate vaccinations etc. before your departure. For your own safety please inform us about any intolerances or allergies you may have against any medications or of any medical conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, epilepsy, asthma, heart conditions, etc.) when you book your trip. Please also inform your guide before the start of the tour.
- In theory, there is a possibility of contracting malaria in all East African countries. Malaria is caused by one-cell parasites and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Different medications can offer a prophylaxis but some need to be taken before you start travelling. You should consult your GP or the institute for tropical diseases to get medical advice. Our experience suggests, that medications which have been on the market for some time (e.g. Lariam) can lead to severe side effects and therefore may compromise your trip.
- Prevention is always better than cure; the best prevention is not to get bitten by wearing long trousers, socks, closed shoes and long-sleeved tops during the evening hours. The use of anti-mosquito sprays and creams can further help to reduce the risk of being bitten.
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