10-Day Northern Kenya Off the Beaten Path Safari
Destinations: Kenya (Meru NP, Samburu NR, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Maasai Mara)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Brief Overview | This 10-day off-the-beaten-track safari ventures far beyond the ordinary. Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s most pristine and least-visited parks. Combine with Samburu’s unique “Special Five,” Ol Pejeta’s rhino conservation, and culminate in the Maasai Mara. Perfect for travelers who want to escape crowds. |
DAY-BY-DAY BREAKDOWN
Day 1: Nairobi – Transfer to Meru National Park
- Morning (7:00 AM): Pick up from Nairobi hotel or airport. Drive north through Thika and Nyeri, enjoying scenic views of Mount Kenya.
- Afternoon: Arrive at Meru National Park in time for lunch at camp.
- Afternoon: First game drive (3 hours) in this remote, less-visited park. Meru has diverse habitats: rivers, swamps, and grasslands.
- Wildlife: Elephants, buffalo, giraffe, leopard, hippo, crocodile. Excellent birding.
- Evening: Dinner, overnight at Elsa’s Kopje or similar.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Meru lodge/camp
Day 2: Full Day in Meru National Park
- Early Morning (6:30 AM): Morning game drive (3-4 hours).
- Key Highlights:
- Adamson’s Falls area (where Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness)
- Rhino sanctuary
- Search for cheetahs (spotted occasionally)
- Over 400 bird species
- Mid-day: Return to camp for brunch, rest.
- Afternoon (3:30 PM): Afternoon game drive exploring different park sectors.
- Evening: Dinner, overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Meru camp
Day 3: Meru to Samburu National Reserve
- Morning (7:00 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Late Morning: Drive north to the rugged landscapes of Samburu National Reserve (3 hours).
- Afternoon: Arrive in time for lunch at lodge.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro River, where elephants, crocodiles, and leopards are frequently seen.
- Evening: Dinner, overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Samburu lodge/camp
Day 4: Samburu National Reserve – Full Day
- Early Morning (6:30 AM): Morning game drive (4 hours).
- Target the unique “Samburu Special Five”:
- Grevy’s zebra (distinct from common zebra)
- Reticulated giraffe (beautiful geometric pattern)
- Beisa oryx (large antelope with long horns)
- Somali ostrich (blue-necked vs pink-necked)
- Gerenuk (giraffe-gazelle that stands on hind legs to browse)
- Mid-day: Rest.
- Afternoon (3:30 PM): Afternoon game drive exploring different areas.
- Cultural Option: Visit to a Samburu village for cultural experience (extra cost).
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Samburu camp
Day 5: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Morning (7:00 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Late Morning: Drive south to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia region (3-4 hours).
- Afternoon: Arrive, check into lodge, lunch.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Game drive in this conservation area:
- Largest rhino population in Kenya
- Big Five all present
- Chimpanzee sanctuary
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Ol Pejeta lodge
Day 6: Ol Pejeta Conservancy – Full Day
- Morning: Morning game drive (3-4 hours).
- Activities (choose):
- Visit Northern White Rhino enclosure (last two on Earth)
- Chimpanzee sanctuary visit
- Optional night game drive (extra cost)
- Visit rhino conservation center
- Afternoon: Afternoon game drive.
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Ol Pejeta camp
Day 7: Ol Pejeta to Maasai Mara
- Early Morning (7:00 AM): Breakfast, check out.
- Full Day: Drive south to Maasai Mara National Reserve (5-6 hours). Stop at Great Rift Valley viewpoint for photographs.
- Late Afternoon: Arrive in the Mara, check into camp.
- Evening: Dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch en route, Dinner
- Accommodation: Maasai Mara camp
Days 8-9: Maasai Mara National Reserve – Two Full Days
- Early Morning (6:30 AM): Game drive (4 hours) each day.
- Mid-day: Rest.
- Afternoon (3:30 PM): Game drive (3-4 hours).
- Key Sightings: Big Five, wildebeest migration (July-October), cheetah, hunting cat action.
- Optional: Hot air balloon safari ($450).
- Optional: Maasai village visit ($20-30).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner each day
- Accommodation: Same Mara camp
Day 10: Maasai Mara – Return to Nairobi/Departure
- Morning (6:30 AM): Morning game drive (3 hours).
- Late Morning: Return to camp for breakfast, check out.
- Mid-day: Drive back to Nairobi (5 hours).
- Afternoon: Lunch en route. Drop off at Jomo Kenyatta Airport for departure.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch en route
- Accommodation: None (departure)
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| Airport transfers | International airfare |
| Private 4×4 safari vehicle (pop-top) | Kenya E-visa ($50) |
| Professional English-speaking driver-guide | Travel insurance (mandatory) |
| Accommodation (9 nights full-board) | Personal expenses |
| Park entry fees (all parks) | Alcoholic drinks |
| Game drives as per itinerary | Tips for guides and lodge staff ($15-20/day) |
| Bottled water throughout | Hot air balloon safari ($450) |
| All applicable government taxes | Laundry services |
| Optional activities |
BEST TIME TO VISIT
| Season | Months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | July – October | Best overall, migration in Mara, dry everywhere |
| Good | January – March | Calving season in Mara, good |
| Fair | June | Good wildlife, lower rates |
| Avoid | April – May | Long rains |
WHAT TO PACK
Standard safari packing for Kenya (see previous itineraries). Note: Northern Kenya (Meru, Samburu) can be hotter than southern parks.
RECOMMENDED LODGES
| Park | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Meru | Leopard Rock Lodge | Elsa’s Kopje, Offbeat Meru Camp |
| Samburu | Samburu Sopa Lodge | Saruni Samburu, Elephant Bedroom Camp |
| Ol Pejeta | Sweetwaters Serena Camp | Ol Pejeta Bush Camp |
| Maasai Mara | Mara Sopa Lodge | Angama Mara, &Beyond Bateleur |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What’s special about Meru National Park?
A: Extremely remote, very few visitors, diverse habitat (rivers, swamps, plains), historical connection to Joy Adamson (Born Free) .
Q: What’s the Samburu Special Five?
A: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, gerenuk. These are unique to northern Kenya.
Q: Is this itinerary suitable for first-time visitors?
A: Yes, but note the remote nature—roads can be rough. Good for adventurous travelers.