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Samburu & Ol Pejeta Northern Circuit: Rare Wildlife & Rhino Conservation

  • Duration:
5–7 days
  • Price Range:
$590 – $2,450 / person (Price depends on your chosen route, transport, accommodation, and group size.)
  • Route:
Nairobi → Samburu National Reserve (Wildlife) → Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Rhinos & Chimpanzees) → Nairobi
Plan your tour

Venture off the beaten track and discover the raw, sun-baked landscapes of Kenya’s rugged Northern Circuit. This spectacular safari route takes you far beyond the standard tourist trails into an arid wilderness defined by dramatic volcanic backdrops, life-giving rivers, and unmatched wildlife conservation successes. Witness the dramatic scenery change as you leave the bustling capital behind and head toward the iconic jagged peaks of Mount Kenya and the vast savannahs of the north.

Whether you choose an entry-level budget overland safari or an exclusive private 4×4 premium experience, this itinerary showcases Kenya’s incredible biodiversity. Encounter rare species adapted to arid climates before tracking endangered rhinos and rescued chimpanzees at the foothills of the country’s highest mountain. Every single day of this northern adventure can be tailor-made to match your personal interests, preferred pace, and exact travel budget.

Northern Circuit Safari Route Breakdown

Day 1: Nairobi Departure & Journey to the Northern Frontier

Days 2–3: Arid Wilderness & Rare Wildlife Watching in Samburu

Days 4–5: Rhino Tracking & Chimpanzee Conservation in Ol Pejeta

Days 6–7: Foothills of Mount Kenya & Return Journey to Nairobi

Customize Your Tour

This itinerary is 100% flexible. When requesting a quote, you can choose exactly what to include:

Transport: Private driver, self-drive, local buses, domestic flights, or private charters.

Accommodation: From budget-friendly local guesthouses to luxury eco-lodges.

Inclusions: Include or exclude national park entrance fees, local community guides, fuel, and daily meals.

Group Type: Available as a fully private tour or a budget-friendly shared group experience.

Plan your tour

Stop 1: The Arid Wilderness of the North (Samburu National Reserve)

Cross the equator into the beautiful, arid landscapes of Samburu, where the Ewaso Nyiro River draws an abundance of unique wildlife to its banks. This region is famous for hosting the "Samburu Special Five"—rare species specially adapted to these dry conditions that you won't find in Kenya's southern parks. Spend your days navigating the rugged plains and tracking magnificent predators. Browse our top regional excursions for this stop below:

Marsabit National Park Excursion

Explore Marsabit National Park near Nanyuki on a guided safari tour, spot elephants, buffaloes, and diverse wildlife in Kenya’s volcanic landscapes.

Stop 2: Conservation & Wildlife Sanctuaries (Ol Pejeta & Laikipia)

Head south into the fertile plains of the Laikipia Plateau to experience world-class wildlife conservation firsthand. Nestled against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kenya, this pristine wilderness serves as a crucial sanctuary for some of Africa's most endangered species. Get ready for unforgettable close encounters with magnificent giants and rescued primates. Browse our top regional excursions for this stop below:

Laikipia Plateau Safari Excursion

Embark on a scenic safari adventure in the Laikipia Plateau, exploring unique wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers.

Ngare Ndare Forest Visit Excursion

Explore the lush Ngare Ndare Forest, home to wildlife and scenic landscapes, on a guided tour. Experience nature and conservation efforts in Kenya.

Stop 3: The Highland Capital Hub (Nairobi & Mount Kenya Foothills)

Complete your loop of the Northern Circuit by transitioning through the lush, high-altitude landscapes surrounding Mount Kenya before returning to the capital city. This final leg bridges the gap between raw wilderness and essential local conservation hubs, allowing you to maximize your wildlife viewing right up until your departure. Browse our top regional excursions for this stop below:

Nairobi Giraffe Center Excursion

Visit the Nairobi Giraffe Centre to feed and interact with the endangered Rothschild giraffes. A fun and educational experience for all ages.

Mount Kenya Safari Excursion

Explore the stunning landscapes and wildlife around Mount Kenya on a relaxed safari tour from Nairobi. Ideal for nature lovers and photographers.

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GlobalAssist
4.8
Based on 401 reviews
Shiuh Shuen
18 hours ago
We booked a day tour with Kenya Assist during a long transit layover. Lilian from Kenya Assist was incredibly helpful and responded to all our queries promptly. The service provider they arranged also gave us a thoroughly pleasant and enjoyable experience.
Mirjam Koreman
3 days ago
I wanted to send a birthday gift to a friend and it was arranged perfectly according to my special wishes. When I had a question, there was a quick and good respons. Great service!
Jeff Warner
4 days ago
We’re a couple who have just returned from a wonderful day trip from Antananarivo, out to Andasibe and back to see lemurs and chameleons. MadaAssist organised everything, starting with pickup and drop off back to our hotel, and a visit to three venues that were all amazing: Mitsinjo Park (for lemurs in the wild), Vakona Reserve (also called Lemur Island – for lemurs again), and Peyrieras Reserve (for chameleons plus more). All three venues were amazing, at each an English-speaking guide was made available and all entrance fees taken care of. Our driver was awesome as well – he had to do a lot of driving as its 3-4 hours drive just to get to Andasibe. All we needed to do was bring water for ourselves, money for tips for the guides (which we were more than happy to give as each one gave us an amazing experience) and money for lunch (we had an awesome pizza in Andasibe). A huge thank you to MadaAssist who made the whole booking process easy, contacted us prior to the day to reassure us all was on track and followed us up afterwards to make sure we were happy. This was a totally seamless experience. Thank you everybody we communicated with at MadaAssist!
Patrick Cech
1 week ago
Perfect and reliable service to book a taxi pickup from the airport in Dar es Salaam. Payment online upfront. Great communication via WhatsApp.
Janny Bakker
2 weeks ago
We booked our car with a driver in Madagascar online through Mada-Assist, and we certainly do not regret it. Everything was arranged down to the last detail. After a flight from Antananarivo to Tulear, we drove back to Antananarivo over 15 days, passing through the beautiful nature parks. Our driver, Romeo, turned out to be not only a reliable and careful driver but also an excellent guide. He spoke very good English, in addition to French and Malagasy. He truly knew everything about Madagascar and knew good local guides at every place we visited. He also arranged several excellent hotels for us in places that were not listed on Booking.com. He was there every day with a big smile. Nothing was ever too much trouble. We can therefore wholeheartedly recommend MadaAssist. And be sure to ask for Romeo!

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