6 Days Samburu, Meru & Lake Nakuru Safari – Northern Kenya Explorer
Samburu
🌍 6 Days Samburu, Meru & Lake Nakuru Safari – Northern Kenya Explorer
Category: Kenya Lodge & Tented Safaris
Guaranteed Departure: Minimum 2 Travelers
Safari Style: Midrange / Luxury / Private
Start/End: Nairobi
Guaranteed Departure: Minimum 2 Travelers
Safari Style: Midrange / Luxury / Private
Start/End: Nairobi
⭐Overview
A 6-day Kenya safari through Samburu National Reserve, Meru National Park, and Lake Nakuru — ideal for travelers seeking rare northern species, diverse landscapes, and Big Five encounters. Includes open-roof Land Cruiser transport, professional guides, full-board accommodations, and all park fees. Highlights include the Samburu “Special Five,” Meru’s thriving rhino population, Rift Valley scenery, and flamingos at Lake Nakuru.
🗂️ ITINERARY SNAPSHOT
| 1 | Nairobi → Samburu | Northern Frontier Safari | Samburu Sopa Lodge / Similar |
| 2 | Samburu Reserve | Full-Day Game Drives | Samburu Sopa Lodge |
| 3 | Samburu → Meru | Big Five Country | iKweta Safari Camp |
| 4 | Meru National Park | Wildlife & Rivers | iKweta Safari Camp |
| 5 | Meru → Lake Nakuru | Thomson Falls & Rift Valley | Lake Nakuru Lodge / Sopa Lodge |
| 6 | Lake Nakuru → Nairobi | Flamingos & Rhino Sanctuary | — |
🦁 DETAILED ITINERARY (100% Rewritten)
Day 1 — Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
Begin your journey early in the morning, travelling north across the equator into the dramatic landscapes of Samburu. This region was made famous by conservation pioneers George and Joy Adamson and offers a wilderness that feels untouched and remote.
The reserve is known for wildlife species that are rarely seen in southern Kenya. These include:
- Reticulated Giraffe
- Grevy’s Zebra
- Beisa Oryx
- Gerenuk
- Somali Ostrich
Arrive in time for lunch, followed by your first afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River—an excellent place to spot elephants and big cats.
Overnight: Samburu Sopa Lodge or Similar
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 — Full Day Safari in Samburu
Spend the day exploring Samburu’s rugged plains with both morning and afternoon game drives. The reserve is home to the famous “Samburu Special Five,” as well as predators like lion, leopard, and cheetah.
Look out for:
- Striking basalt cliffs and mountain backdrops
- Herds of elephants cooling off by the river
- Rare northern species found only in this region
Your guide will select the best routes based on wildlife movement and weather conditions.
Overnight: Samburu Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 — Samburu to Meru National Park
After breakfast, depart for Meru National Park—an incredibly scenic and biodiverse area on the eastern foothills of Mount Kenya. Meru offers riverine forests, rolling plains, and volcanic formations, making it one of Kenya’s most varied ecosystems.
Wildlife you may encounter:
- Lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo
- Both black and white rhinos
- Hippos and crocodiles along the riverbanks
- Unique antelopes such as kudu, eland, and tiny dik-diks
Settle in for lunch and, time permitting, enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Overnight: iKweta Safari Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 — Explore Meru National Park
Enjoy a full day discovering the many habitats of Meru. Few parks in Kenya offer such diversity in birdlife and wildlife. Your safari may include sightings of hyena, jackal, warthog, cheetah, and the elusive wild dog.
Birdwatching highlights include:
- Pel’s Fishing Owl
- Numerous kingfishers
- Bee-eaters and rollers
- Peter’s Finfoot (found along the park’s rivers)
Choose between full-day or split game drives.
Overnight: iKweta Safari Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 — Meru to Lake Nakuru via Thomson Falls
Depart Meru after breakfast and travel west through the central highlands. A scenic stop at Thomson Falls (Nyahururu) gives you a chance to stretch, take photos, and enjoy views of the 74-meter waterfall.
Continue into the Great Rift Valley and arrive at your lodge near Lake Nakuru. The park is known for its rhino sanctuary and acacia woodlands rich in plains game.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge or Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 — Lake Nakuru National Park → Nairobi
Set out early for a morning game drive. Depending on water levels, Lake Nakuru may host large populations of flamingos and pelicans, creating a striking pink-and-white shoreline.
Expect sightings of:
- Both black and white rhinos
- Rothschild’s Giraffes
- Zebras, buffaloes, waterbucks
- Seasonal flocks of flamingos
After lunch at the lodge, depart for the drive back to Nairobi, reaching the city later in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
🧾 WHAT’S INCLUDED
✔ Included
- 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Full-board accommodation in lodges/tented camps
- All game drives and park entry fees
- Bottled drinking water
- Services of an experienced English-speaking guide
❌ Excluded
- Tips and personal expenses
- Alcoholic/soft drinks
- Optional activities
- Meals not mentioned
💰 6 Days Samburu, Meru & Lake Nakuru Safari – 2026 Price Guide (Per Person, USD)
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser • Full Board • Park Fees Included
👥 Based on 2 People Sharing
| Package Level | Low Season (Apr–Jun) | High Season (Jan–Mar, Nov) | Peak Season (Jul–Oct, Dec) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Safari | USD 1,550 | USD 1,680 | USD 1,820 |
| Midrange Safari | USD 1,890 | USD 2,050 | USD 2,190 |
| Luxury Safari | USD 3,150 | USD 3,250 | USD 3,450 |
🏨 Accommodation Standard by Category
| Category | Typical Lodges / Camps |
|---|---|
| Budget | Quality permanent tented camps |
| Midrange | Samburu Sopa Lodge, iKweta Safari Camp, Lake Nakuru Lodge |
| Luxury | Premium safari lodges & luxury tented camps |
📌 Pricing Notes
Prices are per person sharing
Solo travelers pay a single supplement
Group discounts apply for 3+ travelers
Children rates available on request
Rates may change due to 2026 park fee adjustments
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the best time to enjoy this safari?
Wildlife viewing is excellent throughout the year, with peak months during the dry seasons (June–October & January–March).
2. Can families join this itinerary?
Yes — driving times are manageable, and most lodges offer family rooms or cottages.
3. Is the vehicle private?
You may book a private safari or join a small group, depending on preference and availability.
4. Can this tour be extended?
Easily — popular add-ons include Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Naivasha, or the Masai Mara.
5. Are park fees included in the cost?
Yes. All conservation and entry fees are covered within the package.