Everything about this journey
Move between the trip overview, day-by-day plan and what is or is not included in your safari price.
About this journey
Travel style
- Private Safari
- Road Safari
Transport and guiding
Private 4x4 safari from Nairobi.
Your safari itinerary
A clear daily flow so you know how the journey unfolds from departure to the final experience.
Nairobi to Aberdare – forest and waterfall country
Aberdare National Park
Travel into Kenya’s central highlands and enter the Aberdare ecosystem. Explore accessible forest roads and viewpoints for elephant, buffalo, bushbuck, primates and montane birds. Include a waterfall or scenic stop where conditions allow.
Your detailed programme begins with a guide briefing covering the day's route, expected travel time, activity conditions and any park or conservation-area procedures. Keep cameras, binoculars, sun protection and a light layer accessible rather than packed away, because useful sightings or scenic stops can begin before the main destination is reached.
The Aberdares replace open savannah with montane forest, bamboo zones, moorland, streams and waterfalls. Elephant, buffalo, primates and forest antelope occur here; bongo are present but are elusive and should never be expected on a short visit. Weather can change quickly at altitude, and mist or rain is part of the highland character. Drives and walks therefore focus as much on forest ecology, scenery and birdlife as on large-mammal sightings. This is an important contrast on a Kenya itinerary because it shows a very different side of the country's protected landscapes.
This is also a transfer day, so the itinerary avoids pretending that road travel is empty time. Departure is planned early enough to protect the useful safari or activity window, while comfort stops are taken as needed. Drive times in Kenya vary with traffic, weather, road works, park entry procedures and wildlife stops. If arrival is earlier than expected, the guide can use the remaining light for an introductory activity; if conditions cause delay, the programme protects safety and avoids rushing after dark.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
Aberdare to Samburu – landscape transition
Samburu National Reserve
Leave the cool highlands and travel north into increasingly dry country. Arrive in Samburu for an afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro and nearby plains, beginning the search for reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk and elephant.
After the morning briefing, your guide reviews current conditions and adjusts the day's route where necessary. The aim is to preserve the core itinerary while using local knowledge, recent sightings and realistic transfer times to make the day more rewarding.
Samburu offers a dry-country safari very different from southern Kenya. The Ewaso Nyiro river and its riverine vegetation draw elephants and wildlife into an otherwise arid landscape of acacia, scrub and rocky country. The reserve is known for northern specialists such as Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, often grouped as part of the 'Samburu Special Five'. Lion, leopard and other predators are also possible. Game drives are planned around the river corridor, open country and seasonal conditions, with time for both wildlife behaviour and the distinctive northern landscape.
This is also a transfer day, so the itinerary avoids pretending that road travel is empty time. Departure is planned early enough to protect the useful safari or activity window, while comfort stops are taken as needed. Drive times in Kenya vary with traffic, weather, road works, park entry procedures and wildlife stops. If arrival is earlier than expected, the guide can use the remaining light for an introductory activity; if conditions cause delay, the programme protects safety and avoids rushing after dark.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
Full-day Samburu Special Five safari
Samburu National Reserve
Use dawn and afternoon drives to explore riverine and dry-plains habitats. Search for the Special Five, elephant herds, lion, leopard, cheetah and rich dry-country birdlife.
After the morning briefing, your guide reviews current conditions and adjusts the day's route where necessary. The aim is to preserve the core itinerary while using local knowledge, recent sightings and realistic transfer times to make the day more rewarding.
Samburu offers a dry-country safari very different from southern Kenya. The Ewaso Nyiro river and its riverine vegetation draw elephants and wildlife into an otherwise arid landscape of acacia, scrub and rocky country. The reserve is known for northern specialists such as Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, often grouped as part of the 'Samburu Special Five'. Lion, leopard and other predators are also possible. Game drives are planned around the river corridor, open country and seasonal conditions, with time for both wildlife behaviour and the distinctive northern landscape.
A full day gives the guide freedom to work with wildlife and conditions rather than a fixed return deadline. Expect an early start, a slower midday period or picnic arrangement where appropriate, and renewed activity later in the afternoon. Time can be spent at a rewarding sighting instead of leaving simply to keep a timetable. Routes are varied to avoid repeating the same habitat and to increase the range of landscapes, species and photographic opportunities seen during the day.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
Samburu morning and transfer to Ol Pejeta
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Take a final early Samburu drive, then travel south toward Laikipia and Ol Pejeta. Enter for an afternoon game drive focusing on rhino, elephant, buffalo and big cats.
After the morning briefing, your guide reviews current conditions and adjusts the day's route where necessary. The aim is to preserve the core itinerary while using local knowledge, recent sightings and realistic transfer times to make the day more rewarding.
Ol Pejeta combines conventional game viewing with a strong conservation story. It is one of Kenya's most important rhino areas and also supports elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe and plains wildlife. Conservation visits, including the chimpanzee sanctuary where scheduled, operate around set visiting hours and may therefore be placed in the middle of the day while early morning and late afternoon are reserved for game drives. The conservancy works particularly well for guests who want to understand how tourism, research, livestock management and endangered-species protection interact on the same landscape.
This is also a transfer day, so the itinerary avoids pretending that road travel is empty time. Departure is planned early enough to protect the useful safari or activity window, while comfort stops are taken as needed. Drive times in Kenya vary with traffic, weather, road works, park entry procedures and wildlife stops. If arrival is earlier than expected, the guide can use the remaining light for an introductory activity; if conditions cause delay, the programme protects safety and avoids rushing after dark.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
Full-day Ol Pejeta conservation safari
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Spend the day combining game drives with the chimpanzee sanctuary and rhino-conservation interpretation according to current opening times. Search different sectors for both black and white rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and plains species.
After the morning briefing, your guide reviews current conditions and adjusts the day's route where necessary. The aim is to preserve the core itinerary while using local knowledge, recent sightings and realistic transfer times to make the day more rewarding.
Ol Pejeta combines conventional game viewing with a strong conservation story. It is one of Kenya's most important rhino areas and also supports elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe and plains wildlife. Conservation visits, including the chimpanzee sanctuary where scheduled, operate around set visiting hours and may therefore be placed in the middle of the day while early morning and late afternoon are reserved for game drives. The conservancy works particularly well for guests who want to understand how tourism, research, livestock management and endangered-species protection interact on the same landscape.
A full day gives the guide freedom to work with wildlife and conditions rather than a fixed return deadline. Expect an early start, a slower midday period or picnic arrangement where appropriate, and renewed activity later in the afternoon. Time can be spent at a rewarding sighting instead of leaving simply to keep a timetable. Routes are varied to avoid repeating the same habitat and to increase the range of landscapes, species and photographic opportunities seen during the day.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
Ol Pejeta sunrise and return to Nairobi
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Enjoy a final dawn game drive, then leave after breakfast and travel back to Nairobi through the central highlands, arriving in the afternoon.
After the morning briefing, your guide reviews current conditions and adjusts the day's route where necessary. The aim is to preserve the core itinerary while using local knowledge, recent sightings and realistic transfer times to make the day more rewarding.
Ol Pejeta combines conventional game viewing with a strong conservation story. It is one of Kenya's most important rhino areas and also supports elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe and plains wildlife. Conservation visits, including the chimpanzee sanctuary where scheduled, operate around set visiting hours and may therefore be placed in the middle of the day while early morning and late afternoon are reserved for game drives. The conservancy works particularly well for guests who want to understand how tourism, research, livestock management and endangered-species protection interact on the same landscape.
This is also a transfer day, so the itinerary avoids pretending that road travel is empty time. Departure is planned early enough to protect the useful safari or activity window, while comfort stops are taken as needed. Drive times in Kenya vary with traffic, weather, road works, park entry procedures and wildlife stops. If arrival is earlier than expected, the guide can use the remaining light for an introductory activity; if conditions cause delay, the programme protects safety and avoids rushing after dark.
By the end of the activity, the guide will recap the main sightings and experiences and confirm the next day's departure plan where applicable. Exact wildlife sightings, mountain views, migration activity, road conditions and activity access remain subject to nature and local regulations, which is why the itinerary is detailed but intentionally not presented as a guarantee of specific encounters.
What your package covers
These items are included in the quoted safari price unless your written quotation states otherwise.
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- Transport in the vehicle type specified for the package, with game-viewing roof where applicable.
- All scheduled game drives, guided visits and activities stated in the itinerary.
- Applicable national park, national reserve or conservancy entry fees for the included programme.
- Accommodation during multi-day safari nights in the selected comfort category; specific properties are confirmed at quotation stage and are not fixed in this package description.
- Meals stated in the day-by-day itinerary.
- Bottled drinking water while travelling in the safari vehicle.
- Pick-up and drop-off at the stated Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani, Malindi or Watamu meeting point where applicable.
- Government taxes and service charges applicable to the included services at the time of quotation.
What to budget for separately
These items are normally outside the package price unless specifically added to your written quotation.
- International flights and any domestic flights not expressly stated as included.
- Kenya visa or electronic travel authorisation costs where applicable.
- Travel, medical, evacuation and cancellation insurance.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, porters and other service staff.
- Alcoholic drinks, premium beverages and personal purchases.
- Laundry, telephone charges, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
- Optional activities such as hot-air balloon safaris, night drives, spa treatments or additional community visits unless specifically stated as included.
- Pre-safari and post-safari accommodation or transfers not stated in the itinerary.
- Any new or increased statutory park, reserve, conservancy, marine or government charges introduced after a quotation has been confirmed, unless otherwise stated in the booking terms.
