6 Days Samburu, Meru & Lake Nakuru Safari | Northern Kenya Wildlife Tour

🌍 6 Days Samburu, Meru & Lake Nakuru Safari – The Northern Kenya Big Five Circuit

Category: Kenya Safaris – Lodge/Tented Options
Guaranteed Departures: Minimum 2 Guests
Style: Midrange / Luxury / Private or Small Group
Starts/Ends: Nairobi

⭐ Overview

A 6-day safari covering Samburu National Reserve, Meru National Park, and Lake Nakuru — ideal for travelers who want rare northern species, Big Five sightings, dramatic landscapes, and comfortable lodges. Includes: game drives in Samburu’s home of unique wildlife, full-day exploration of Meru’s diverse ecosystems, flamingos and rhinos in Lake Nakuru, and visits to iconic landmarks like Thomson Falls. Transport in a pop-up 4x4 Land Cruiser, expert guides, full-board lodging, and all park fees.

🗂️ ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

🦁 DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Nairobi → Samburu National Reserve

Your safari begins with an early-morning departure from Nairobi, driving north through changing landscapes into Kenya’s dramatic Northern Frontier region. After approximately 5 hours, you arrive in the legendary Samburu National Reserve—home of George and Joy Adamson, where the famous lioness Elsa was raised.

Samburu is known for wildlife found nowhere else in Kenya, including:

• Reticulated Giraffe

• Grevy’s Zebra

• Beisa Oryx

• Gerenuk (“the antelope that stands”)

• Somali Ostrich

After lunch, enjoy your first afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River—the lifeline of Samburu’s wildlife.

Dinner & Overnight: Samburu Sopa Lodge or Similar
Meal Plan: L, D

Day 2: Full Day in Samburu – Home of the “Special Five”

Spend the entire day exploring Samburu’s rugged terrain and wildlife-rich woodland. With both morning and afternoon game drives, your chances of spotting predators—lion, cheetah, and leopard—are high.

Look out for:

• The rare Reticulated Giraffe

• Blue-legged Somali Ostrich

• Long-necked Gerenuk

• Endangered Grevy’s Zebra

• Big elephant herds near the river

Ololokwe Mountain provides a dramatic backdrop for photography and game viewing.

Dinner & Overnight: Samburu Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 3: Samburu → Meru National Park

Enjoy breakfast before driving east toward Meru National Park, one of Kenya’s most diverse and least crowded wildlife havens. Meru is renowned for its lush riverlines, open plains, and volcanic landscapes.

Wildlife highlights include:

• Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah

• Both black and white rhino

• Hippopotamus & crocodile along the rivers

• Rare antelopes including Kudu, Eland & Dik-Dik

Arrive for lunch and an afternoon at leisure or optional game drive.

Dinner & Overnight: iKWETA Safari Camp
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 4: Full Day Game Viewing in Meru National Park

Today you explore Meru in depth—one of the few parks in Kenya offering such a wide spectrum of wildlife, including potential sightings of:

• Wild dog

• Caracal

• Civet & genet

• Warthog & jackal

• Large herds of grazers

Birdlife thrives here too: Pel’s Fishing Owl, Kingfishers, Bee-Eaters, Rollers, Weavers, and the rare Peter’s Finfoot.

Choose full-day exploration or split morning and afternoon drives.

Dinner & Overnight: iKWETA Safari Camp
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 5: Meru → Thomson Falls → Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, depart Meru and drive toward the Central Highlands, descending into the Rift Valley. Enjoy a scenic stop at Thomson Falls, a 74-meter waterfall perfect for photography.

After lunch en route, continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for:

• Flamingos and pelicans

• Endangered Rothschild’s giraffe

• Rhino sanctuary (black & white)

• Abundant plains game

Dinner & Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge / Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 6: Lake Nakuru → Nairobi

Enjoy an early-morning game drive across Lake Nakuru National Park’s acacia woodlands and lakeshore tracks.

Expect sightings of:

• White & black rhinos

• Buffalos, zebras, waterbucks

• Flamingos (seasonal)

• Rothschild’s Giraffe

After lunch, drive back to Nairobi, arriving around 4:00 pm—where your Northern Kenya adventure ends.

Meal Plan: B

🧾 INCLUSIONS

✔ Included

• Transport in a 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser (pop-up roof)

• Full-board accommodation (lodges / tented camps)

• All park entry fees

• Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide

• Bottled drinking water daily

• All game drives as per itinerary

❌ Excluded

• Tips & personal expenses

• Soft drinks & alcohol

• Meals not listed

• Optional activities

💰 Pricing (Per Person)

Lodge or Tented Camp Option

➡ Upgrade options available: luxury camps, private vehicle, flight transfers.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best time to visit Samburu, Meru & Lake Nakuru?

These parks are excellent year-round. Wildlife viewing is best during the dry seasons (June–October and January–March).

2. Is this safari suitable for families?

Yes. The itinerary is flexible, driving distances manageable, and lodges offer family-friendly rooms.

3. What type of vehicle is used?

A custom 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for photography and enhanced game viewing.

4. Can the safari be customized?

Absolutely — you can add Ol Pejeta, Masai Mara, Mount Kenya, or extend to Naivasha.

5. Are park fees included?

Yes, all park fees, accommodation, and game drives are included.

6. Is the safari private or group?

It can be private, or you can join a small group depending on availability.