Samburu safari options
A Samburu safari is usually a series of game drives in a safari vehicle, over a day or more in the reserve. You reach the area by road from Nairobi or by scheduled flight to an airstrip. Some operators sell fly-in safaris that bundle flights, lodging and game drives, and others run road trips. The main draw is the chance to see the Special Five (Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich), but no trip can guarantee a sighting.
No single price covers every safari. Park entry, vehicle, flight, transfers, lodging and any conservancy fee are separate items, and operators bundle them in different ways. Check the park fees page and ask each operator for a total that shows what is included.
Our picks: Samburu safaris compared
The fly-in trip saves the most time and has the park fees in the price. By road, the budget safari keeps the price down but the park fees come on top, while the three-day trip with meals suits you if you want a simple package from a Nairobi hotel.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
2-day fly-in safari to Samburu
- Return flights from Nairobi
- Park fees included
- One night, full board
After a van transfer of about 40 minutes you fly for roughly 105 minutes each way instead of driving. An afternoon and a morning game drive fill the stay.
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3-day Samburu safari with meals
- Hotel pickup in Nairobi
- Open-roof safari vehicle
- Two nights, full board
The drives cover Samburu and the Ewaso Nyiro area. Pickup is from selected Nairobi hotels, not the airport. Ask whether park fees are included.
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3-day budget safari to Samburu in a 4WD
- Hotel or airport pickup
- Two nights, full board
- English-speaking guide
Two game drives, one of them a full day, in a Land Cruiser. Park fees are paid on top, so check the current total before you book.
Check availability →Samburu safaris and tours
Road and fly-in safaris to Samburu, with live prices and availability.
Ways to do a Samburu safari compared
Schedules are for 2026 and can change.
| Option | How you get there | Time | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road safari | A2 via Nanyuki and Isiolo to Archers Post, then unpaved tracks | About 6–7 hours from Nairobi, depending on your end point | Pick-up point, vehicle and the gate you will use |
| Fly-in safari | Scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson to a Samburu airstrip | About 1 hour in the air | Pick-up time at the airstrip and the minimum of two passengers per strip |
| Samburu and Masai Mara | Flight between the two reserves | 2 hours in 2026, 11:00 to 13:00 | Off-season routing can go via Wilson |
For most short trips, the fly-in keeps the transfer to about an hour in the air. If you have more days and want to see the road north, drive via Isiolo. Flights serve the Samburu Buffalo and Kalama airstrips daily in 2026, and times shift with routing, so confirm your pick-up time. More detail is on the getting there page.
Safari in Samburu National Park
The area is a national reserve, and it has two neighbours.
Many visitors search for a safari in Samburu National Park. The area is officially Samburu National Reserve, run by Samburu County Government. Across the Ewaso Nyiro lies Buffalo Springs, and Shaba is a third reserve on the Isiolo side. Each one is a separate reserve with its own fees and rules. When you compare safaris, ask whether the trip enters one reserve or all three.
The Special Five
Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich are the species the area is known for. They are good chances, not promises.
The Special Five →Big cats and other mammals
Lion, leopard and cheetah live in the area, along with impala and both greater and lesser kudu. Hornbills, guineafowl, weavers and birds of prey add to the list.
Samburu animals →Elephants
Research on the elephants of the Ewaso reserves has run since 1997. It has recorded more than 900 individual animals over the years, which is a long record and not a count of today's herds.
Add Reteti, Lewa or the Maasai Mara
Extensions that fit a Samburu trip.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Reteti is a community-run orphanage in Namunyak Community Conservancy. Visits need a booking at least 24 hours ahead, and the minimum donation for an international adult is $75 in 2026. The dirt road from Sereolipi is best driven in a high-clearance 4×4, so check the local route before you plan the day.
Reteti guide →Lewa and Nanyuki
The scheduled flight network in the north also serves Nanyuki and Lewa. Lewa has its own rules, and not every vehicle is admitted, so plan access with your lodging.
Lewa guide →Masai Mara
In 2026 there is a flight link between Samburu and the Masai Mara. For that half of the trip, see the Maasai Mara safari guide.
Rules on a game drive
The usual rules, and why you should ask at the gate.
The usual safari rules apply in Samburu: do not feed animals, stay in the vehicle except at marked places, stay on the tracks and do not drive at night. A speed limit of 40 km/h and a distance of at least 20 m from animals are standard safari practice, and your guide can tell you what applies on the day. Rules can differ by reserve and change, so follow the rangers and your driver.
Travel advice also changes. The German Federal Foreign Office currently advises particular caution in Samburu and in the area where Laikipia, Meru and Isiolo meet. UK advice mentions security operations in parts of Samburu and Isiolo and says movement restrictions can be introduced. Read the current advice for your country and ask your operator about the route you will take.
Before you book a Samburu safari
Questions that settle most price and plan differences.
What does the price include?
Ask whether park entry, the vehicle, a driver or guide, flights, transfers and meals are in the total. Check which reserves the entry covers.
Where do you start?
Road trips differ in pick-up point and travel time. Flights depart from Nairobi Wilson, not from Jomo Kenyatta International.
Where will you sleep?
A camp inside or at the edge of the reserve shortens the drive to the gate. Names of places in the wider Samburu area do not mean they lie inside the reserve.
Where to stay →
Samburu safari: frequently asked questions
How much does a Samburu safari cost?
The total depends on the length, the way you travel and where you sleep. Park entry, vehicle, flight, transfers and lodging are separate items. Ask for a total that shows each part, and check the current park fee on the fees page.
Should I drive or fly to Samburu?
The road from Nairobi is about 320–350 km and 6–7 hours, with unpaved stretches near the end. Scheduled flights leave from Nairobi Wilson and take about an hour. Fly if time is short, and drive if you want to see the route and have more days.
Can I combine Samburu with the Maasai Mara?
Yes. In 2026 a Samburu to Masai Mara flight runs at 11:00 to 13:00, and off-season routing can go via Wilson. Confirm the timetable for your dates.
Will I see all of the Special Five on one drive?
No trip can promise that. The area gives good chances for these species, but sightings depend on the day, the season and where you drive.
Can I visit the Reteti elephant sanctuary on a safari?
Yes, with a booking made at least 24 hours ahead and no booking on the day. A high-clearance 4×4 is recommended on the dirt road from Sereolipi. See the Reteti page.
Does samburu-national-reserve.org run safaris or belong to the reserve?
No. This is an independent guide, not the official site of the reserve, and it is not connected to any safari operator or lodge.