This 7 day Samburu Nakuru safari takes you well beyond the classic Kenya circuit, into Samburu’s arid landscapes, Nakuru’s rhino sanctuary, Ol Pejeta and Lake Naivasha. If you’ve already pictured a classic Kenya safari — the Maasai Mara, the Big Five, the open golden plains — this itinerary is for the traveler who wants something different. This 7-day circuit skips the Mara entirely and instead takes you through Kenya’s rugged north and Rift Valley heartland: rare wildlife found nowhere else in the country, one of the most important rhino sanctuaries on Earth, and a relaxed lakeside finish that most visitors never experience. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Why This Route (and Not the Mara)?
The Maasai Mara gets the fame, but this circuit — Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Naivasha — offers something the Mara simply can’t: genuine variety packed into a single week, without the crowds. You’ll go from the semi-arid, rugged north (Samburu) to a globally significant rhino conservancy (Ol Pejeta), to a flamingo-lined Rift Valley lake famous for tree-climbing lions (Nakuru), and finish with a relaxed boat safari on the calm waters of Lake Naivasha. It’s a circuit built for travelers who’ve either already done the Mara, or simply want to see a side of Kenya most safari-goers skip entirely.
Route Logic: Why This Order Makes Sense
This itinerary is built to move logically in one direction — north from Nairobi, then back south through the Rift Valley — rather than backtracking across the country. You travel up to Samburu first, then work your way back down through Ol Pejeta (conveniently on the route back from the north), continuing to Lake Nakuru, and finishing at Lake Naivasha, just an hour or so from Nairobi for an easy final departure.
Highlights
- Samburu’s “Special Five” — Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx, found almost nowhere else in Kenya
- The Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu’s lifeline, where elephant herds, crocodiles, and leopards congregate
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy — home to the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, plus a thriving black rhino population
- Optional visit to Ol Pejeta’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see chimps
- Lake Nakuru’s tree-climbing lions, Rothschild giraffes, and flocks of flamingos along the shoreline
- A relaxed boat safari on Lake Naivasha, spotting hippos and fish eagles from the water
- Optional full day at Hell’s Gate National Park — cycling and walking among wildlife with no vehicle required
Day-by-Day Itinerary
7 Day Samburu Nakuru Safari: Days 1
Pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or the airport, driving north via Nanyuki with views of Mount Kenya along the way. Arrive at Samburu National Reserve in time for lunch, then head out on your first afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River. Dinner and overnight in Samburu.
Day 2: Full Day Samburu
A full day tracking Samburu’s unique wildlife — morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Special Five, alongside elephant, lion, and leopard. Return to the lodge for lunch in between. Dinner and overnight in Samburu.
Day 3: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Depart after breakfast for Ol Pejeta Conservancy, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, set out on a game drive in search of the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, along with a healthy black rhino population and resident predators. Optional visit to the on-site Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at Ol Pejeta.
Day 4: Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru
Morning game drive at Ol Pejeta before departing for Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving for lunch. In the afternoon, game drive around the lake — Rothschild giraffes, tree-climbing lions, black and white rhino, and thousands of flamingos painting the shoreline pink. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Morning game drive at Nakuru before continuing to Lake Naivasha, arriving for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxed boat safari on the lake, spotting hippos, fish eagles, and water birds from the water. Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha.
Day 6: Full Day at Lake Naivasha — Hell’s Gate National Park
A genuine change of pace: spend the day at Hell’s Gate National Park, known for its dramatic gorges and towering cliffs — and, unusually for Kenya, the freedom to walk or cycle among zebra, giraffe, and antelope without a vehicle. Return to Naivasha in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the lake.
Day 7: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
After breakfast, depart for Nairobi — a short drive of around an hour, making for an easy, unhurried final day. Drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or the airport, marking the end of your safari.
Where You’ll Stay
This circuit typically uses comfortable mid-range lodges throughout — options like Sopa Lodge properties, Ashnil camps, or similar full-board lodges at each stop, all well-positioned for easy access to game drives. If you’d rather elevate specific legs of the trip, luxury alternatives exist at most of these destinations too — worth asking your operator what’s available for your dates.
Who This Safari Is For
This itinerary suits travelers who’ve either done a classic Mara safari before and want to see something new, or first-timers who specifically want rare wildlife (the Special Five, the northern white rhinos) over the more commonly photographed Big Five circuit. It’s also a strong choice if you want a genuinely quieter safari experience — none of these four destinations see anywhere near Mara-level visitor traffic, even in peak season.
What’s Typically Included
A well-built package for this route covers your 4×4 safari vehicle and driver-guide for all 7 days, all park and conservancy entrance fees, 6 nights’ accommodation on a full-board basis, and the core activities listed above. Optional extras — the Chimpanzee Sanctuary visit, Hell’s Gate entry and cycling, and any additional guided walks — are usually quoted separately, since not every traveler wants every add-on.
Plan This Safari With Savanna Sojourns
This is one of our favorite circuits precisely because it’s underexplored — genuinely rare wildlife, a world-important rhino sanctuary, and a relaxed lakeside finish, all without the crowds of Kenya’s more famous parks. We can build this exactly to your dates, budget, and preferred lodge tier.
Ready to plan your Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Nakuru & Naivasha safari? Get in touch with our team, browse our tour packages, or visit our homepage to explore everything Savanna Sojourns has to offer.
