5-Day Ol Pejeta, Laikipia and Samburu Safari

The safari travels north from Nairobi through the central highlands, with the scheduled equator stop near Nanyuki before continuing into Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The afternoon game drive introduces the conservancy’s open grassland, scrub and woodland.

Your guide looks for rhinos, buffalo, elephants and other wildlife along the permitted routes, pausing to observe the animals encountered. The first drive provides an introduction to the conservation landscape explored in greater depth the following day.

The day combines the included northern white rhino visit with game drives and the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The rhino experience introduces the animals and their conservation under the conservancy team’s visiting arrangements. Game viewing then explores the wider grassland and scrub habitats.

At Sweetwaters, visitors observe rescued chimpanzees and learn about their care from the sanctuary’s interpretation. An optional night game drive is separately arranged and paid for; it adds an after-dark viewing experience without replacing the included daytime programme.

The programme leaves Ol Pejeta for Samburu National Reserve. On arrival, the afternoon game drive introduces the Ewaso Nyiro river corridor and the surrounding semi-arid landscape, a different setting from the Laikipia highlands.

Your guide looks for elephants and the reserve’s characteristic dry-country species, including reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Grevy’s zebra. The drive follows the wildlife encountered across riverine cover and open scrub before returning from the afternoon session.

Morning and afternoon game drives explore Samburu’s riverine woodland, open plains and dry drainage lines. The guide searches for wildlife associated with these contrasting habitats, with the Special Five forming part of the viewing focus rather than a guaranteed checklist.

There is time to observe elephants near the river, scan woodland for predators and look for birds and grazing animals in the open country. The second drive continues the exploration in different parts of the reserve according to the animals present.

A final morning game drive offers another look at Samburu’s river corridor and dry-country wildlife. Your guide revisits suitable viewing areas for observation and photographs before the programme leaves the reserve. The safari then returns through the central highlands to the agreed Nairobi drop-off point.