98% Client Satisfaction Rating
5-Day Luxury Kenya Safari – Samburu’s Special Five & the Wilds of Laikipia
Experience one of Kenya’s most rewarding northern circuit safaris, combining the raw wilderness of Samburu National Reserve with the exclusive conservation landscapes of the Laikipia Plateau.
This 5-day journey is designed for travelers seeking authentic African wilderness, rare wildlife encounters, and a balance of adventure and comfort in carefully selected luxury tented camps and conservancies.
Your safari begins in Samburu, a dramatic semi-arid region shaped by the Ewaso Nyiro River and home to Kenya’s iconic “Samburu Special Five” alongside elephants, lions, and other big game species.
From there, you continue to Laikipia one of Africa’s most successful private conservation regions known for its endangered species protection, low-density tourism, and exceptional safari experiences beyond the boundaries of national parks.
Expect uninterrupted game viewing, breathtaking landscapes, and immersive wildlife experiences in regions where conservation and community coexist with nature.
This safari is ideal for travelers looking for a more exclusive and less crowded alternative to the Masai Mara, while still enjoying Kenya’s most iconic wildlife and luxury safari hospitality.
Trip Overview
Short answer: this 5-day luxury safari combines Samburu National Reserve, home to the “Samburu Special Five”, with the private conservancies of the Laikipia Plateau. It is a quieter alternative to the Masai Mara, with rare northern wildlife, luxury tented camps and low-density tourism.
Explore Samburu and Shaba and Laikipia, or read is Northern Kenya safe?
5-Day Laikipia and Samburu Safari FAQs
What are the Samburu Special Five?
Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich, all northern species rarely seen further south.
Why choose Laikipia and Samburu over the Masai Mara?
Fewer vehicles, rare species and private conservancies that offer activities such as walking safaris.
Is 5 days enough for Laikipia and Samburu?
Yes, for a focused northern safari. You can also add the Masai Mara. Contact us to extend your trip.
Tour Highlights
Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, Beisa oryx
Large elephant herds along the Ewaso Nyiro River
Lions, leopards, cheetahs in Samburu National Reserve
Semi-arid savannah landscapes with acacia forests and river valleys
Rare northern Kenya wildlife species not found in southern parks
Tour Map
Tour Features
Private Safari Experience
Enjoy a fully private safari through Samburu National Reserve and Laikipia Plateau with personalized guiding, flexible game drives, and carefully selected luxury tented camps designed for comfort and immersion in nature.
Fly-In Safari Convenience
This itinerary includes scheduled flights from Nairobi to Samburu and onward connections, reducing long road transfers and maximizing your time in Kenya’s most scenic wildlife regions.
Flexible Custom Safari Experience
Enjoy a fully flexible safari itinerary that can be tailored to your travel dates, preferences, and interests. This Samburu and Laikipia safari can be adjusted at any time to suit private travel plans, group requirements, or seasonal wildlife movements.
Fully Customizable Itinerary
The route, accommodation, and pace of travel can be modified based on your preferences. You can extend, shorten, or re-route the safari to include additional destinations within Kenya.
Flexible Departure Dates
There are no fixed departure dates. This safari is available year-round and can be arranged on any date depending on flight availability and lodge confirmation.
Interested?
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi & Flight to Samburu National Reserve
A
Morning – Nairobi pickup & flight to Samburu
Your Camptrek Safaris representative will meet you at the airport or your Nairobi city hotel for a safari briefing and transfer to Wilson Airport. Board your scheduled flight to Samburu, where your driver-guide will welcome you at the airstrip. Enjoy your first wildlife sightings on the way to camp, then check in and settle down for lunch.
Afternoon – Game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River
Follow the river through Samburu’s dry landscape, watching for elephants coming down to drink and crocodiles resting on the sandy banks. In the woodland, look for the distinctive white markings of reticulated giraffes as they browse among the acacias. Return to camp for dinner and your first night in Samburu.
Meals · Lunch & dinner
Transport · Nairobi airport transfer, scheduled flight of approximately 1 hour, airstrip pickup and afternoon game drive.
Accommodation Option A
Soroi Larsens Camp
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option B
Samburu Sopa
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option C
Saruni Samburu
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Day 2
Full Day Game Drives in Samburu National Reserve
Morning – From the riverbanks to the open plains
After breakfast, head out in search of the Samburu Special Five. Look for the narrow stripes of Grévy’s zebra, the long horns of Beisa oryx and the blue neck of a male Somali ostrich. In the scrub, watch for reticulated giraffes and gerenuks. A gerenuk balancing on its hind legs to reach fresh leaves is a sight worth waiting for.
Afternoon – Picnic in the reserve or lunch at camp
Take a picnic lunch if you’d like to explore farther into the reserve, or return to camp for lunch and a break. Later, spend time along the Ewaso Nyiro, where your guide will scan the riverine woodland for lions and leopards. Return to camp in the evening for dinner.
Meals · Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Transport · Game drives within Samburu National Reserve.
Accommodation Option A
Soroi Larsens Camp
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option B
Samburu Sopa
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option C
Saruni Samburu
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Day 3
Samburu to Laikipia Plateau (Transfer & Afternoon Game Drive)
Morning – Scenic drive to Loisaba Conservancy
After an early breakfast, leave Samburu by road and travel towards the Laikipia Plateau. Watch the landscape change from dry river country to open grassland and rolling hills. Arrive at your camp in Loisaba Conservancy in time to check in and enjoy lunch.
Afternoon – First game drive in Loisaba
Explore the conservancy with your guide, looking for elephants moving across the hills and Grévy’s zebras grazing on the plains. Loisaba gives you a different vantage point from Samburu. From higher ground, pause to scan the valleys before following the tracks down for a closer look. Return to camp for dinner.
Meals · Breakfast, lunch & dinner
· Transport &distance: Approximately 225 km by road
Accommodation Option A
Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option B
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option C
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Day 4
Full Day Safari Experience in Laikipia Plateau
Morning – Explore the conservancy with your guide
After breakfast, set out across Loisaba’s grasslands and woodland. Look for elephants, reticulated giraffes and lions, with a chance of encountering the more elusive African wild dog. Along the way, your guide can explain how wildlife moves between Laikipia’s conservancies and how local conservation teams protect these routes.
Afternoon – Picnic lunch & game viewing
Enjoy a picnic in the conservancy or return to camp for lunch. Head out again in the cooler afternoon hours, leaving time to linger at a sighting or photograph the long shadows across the plateau. Return to camp for dinner and your final night in Laikipia.
Meals · Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Transport · Morning and afternoon game drives in Loisaba Conservancy.
Accommodation Option A
Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option B
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option C
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Day 5
Departure from Laikipia to Nairobi
Morning – Breakfast & flight to Wilson Airport
Enjoy breakfast at camp before your transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Nairobi. On arrival at Wilson Airport, your Camptrek Safaris representative will meet you and transfer you to your Nairobi city hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.
Meals · Breakfast
Transport · Airstrip transfer, scheduled flight of approximately 1 hour and onward transfer in Nairobi
Accommodation Option A
No accommodations on the last day
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option B
No accommodations on the last day
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Accommodation Option C
No accommodations on the last day
All Accommodations are Subject To Avalaiblity.
Interested?
Important to know
The prices below are per person (based on two adults travelling together) and please note that the prices are approximate for 2026/2027.
Please contact us for accurate costings for the time of year you are considering for your holiday.
There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.
Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary.
Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.
Rates Per Person
Rates are Per Person Sharing a Room Except for the Solo who is on Single Supplement
| Month/Season | Solo - 1 Room | 2 People - 1 Room |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026 | 7803 | 4723 |
