North of Nairobi, through the highlands to Mount Kenya, into Laikipia's rhino sanctuaries, and on to Samburu's dry riverine landscape with species not found in the south.
10 Days / 9 Nights
January to March, June to October
5 stops
Why This Route?
This route reveals a different Kenya than the Mara: cool highlands, private conservancies with rhinos, and the arid north with the Samburu Special Five. It is less visited and combines well with a mountain hike.
Hidden Gems
At Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ol Pejeta live rescued chimpanzees, the only ones in Kenya
The Samburu Special Five, including Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe, are typical of the dry north and rarely seen in the southern parks
In Nanyuki, a sign on the A2 marks the Equator
Getting there and back
Round trip, returning to where you started
Arrival
Flight · Nairobi (NBO)From German-speaking areas, mostly connecting to Nairobi. Domestic flights to Nanyuki and Samburu also run from Wilson Airport.
Departure
Flight · Nairobi (NBO)
Itinerary
Stop 1 • 1 Night
Nairobi
City
routes.tagDescriptions.stadt. routes.tagDescriptions.museen and Rich in culture and history.
Kenya's capital lies in the highlands and is the start and end point for almost every safari. Nairobi is a loud, rapidly growing metropolis with skyscrapers in the centre, green villa districts, and a national park directly on the southern city limits.Besides the National Museum on Museum Hill and the KICC's observation deck, Karura Forest and the cultural performances at Bomas of Kenya are worth visiting. In the evenings, life shifts to the bars and clubs of Westlands.
Arrival, the next morning, drive north.
3 Sights
3 Restaurants
Culture & History
Museums and MemoryThe Nairobi National Museum traces its origins to the East African Natural History Society and, in 1930, moved into its building on Museum Hill as the Coryndon Museum. Its permanent exhibitions cover human prehistory up to Kenya's recent history; a snake park is located next door.Green CityKarura Forest in the north was preserved from development thanks to public protest by Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and later Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Today, it is one of the city's most popular recreational spots.Diversity of Ethnic GroupsAt the Bomas of Kenya, recreated homesteads demonstrate the building styles of the country's diverse ethnic groups, accompanied by daily dance performances.
routes.tagDescriptions.safari. routes.tagDescriptions.nashörner and routes.tagDescriptions.tierschutz.
Ol Pejeta is a non-profit Wildlife Conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau directly west of Nanyuki, covering approximately 360 square kilometers and straddling the equator. It is considered East Africa's largest sanctuary for black rhinos and the last refuge for northern white rhinos.In addition to the Big Five, rescued chimpanzees live here in the Sweetwaters Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where you can see these great apes.
Rhinos, Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Equator crossing at Nanyuki.
1 Sight
History and Nature Conservation
From Cattle Farm to ConservancyFrom 1949, Ol Pejeta was a cattle farm; later owners included businessman Adnan Khashoggi. In 1988, Lonrho opened the Sweetwaters Game Reserve as a sanctuary for black rhinos. In 2004, Fauna & Flora International purchased the land with a donation from the Arcus Foundation.RhinosIn 2013, the 100th black rhino was born here. Ol Pejeta also hosts the last Northern White Rhinos, brought here from the Czech Zoo Dvůr Králové. The last male, Sudan, was euthanized in March 2018. The species can now only be saved through artificial insemination and surrogate mothers; the Conservancy publishes the latest status.Sweetwaters Chimpanzee SanctuaryThe sanctuary was established in 1993 together with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute, after a rescue center in Burundi had to close due to the civil war. The animals were rescued from the illegal pet trade and bushmeat hunting in West and Central Africa.
routes.tagDescriptions.safari. routes.tagDescriptions.wildreservat and routes.tagDescriptions.trockensavanne.
The Samburu National Reserve lies approximately 350 kilometers north of Nairobi on the Ewaso Ng'iro, whose doum palms and riverine forests attract elephants, lions, and leopards to the arid landscape. Together with the Buffalo Springs National Reserve on the south bank, it is the most renowned safari destination in northern Kenya.Here you can spot the Samburu Special Five: Grevy's zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, and Somali Ostrich.
Game drives along the Ewaso Ng'iro: Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich, and Beisa Oryx. Check the current UK FCDO travel advice before you go.
2 Sights
Nature Safeguard
The Special FiveGuides call Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich the Special Five, as they are much easier to see here than in southern Kenya's parks. Plus, over 350 bird species and many Nile crocodiles are found in the river.Samburu County ReserveFounded in 1985, the roughly 165-square-kilometer reserve belongs to and is managed by Samburu County. After a 25-year absence due to poaching, black rhinos were reintroduced. The lioness Kamunyak, known for adopting young oryx antelopes, gained fame.Buffalo SpringsSouth of the river, the Buffalo Springs National Reserve in Isiolo County adjoins. It boasts similar wildlife and is known for its many leopards; further east lies the Shaba National Reserve.
routes.tagDescriptions.nationalpark. Great hiking spots and Breathtaking mountain views.
The Mount Kenya National Park protects the high altitudes of Africa's second-highest mountain, just south of the Equator in central Kenya. Trekkers ascend via the Sirimon, Naro Moru, or Chogoria routes to the 4,985-meter-high Point Lenana, while the main peaks Batian and Nelion are reserved for climbers.Since 1997, the park and mountain forest have been UNESCO World Heritage. Above the mountain forest, you reach glacier remnants and mountain lakes like Lake Michaelson.
Day hike into the mountain forests or start of a multi-day trekking tour to Point Lenana (then add days).
4 Sights
History and Significance
Kirinyaga, Seat of GodThe Kikuyu call the mountain Kirinyaga. According to their traditional beliefs, God resides on the mountain, and it is still considered a sacred place today.First Ascent and GlaciersThe 5,199-meter-high Batian was first climbed by Halford Mackinder, César Ollier, and Joseph Brocherel on September 13, 1899. Only small remnants of the mountain's glaciers remain; the largest is the Lewis Glacier, and they are rapidly retreating.Biosphere Reserve and World HeritageUNESCO declared the area a Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and added the park and natural forest to the World Heritage List in 1997. In 2013, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Ngare-Ndare Forest in the north were included, connected by a wildlife corridor that elephants use between the mountain and lowlands.
routes.tagDescriptions.stadt. routes.tagDescriptions.museen and Rich in culture and history.
Kenya's capital lies in the highlands and is the start and end point for almost every safari. Nairobi is a loud, rapidly growing metropolis with skyscrapers in the centre, green villa districts, and a national park directly on the southern city limits.Besides the National Museum on Museum Hill and the KICC's observation deck, Karura Forest and the cultural performances at Bomas of Kenya are worth visiting. In the evenings, life shifts to the bars and clubs of Westlands.
Return trip and flight.
3 Sights
3 Restaurants
Culture & History
Museums and MemoryThe Nairobi National Museum traces its origins to the East African Natural History Society and, in 1930, moved into its building on Museum Hill as the Coryndon Museum. Its permanent exhibitions cover human prehistory up to Kenya's recent history; a snake park is located next door.Green CityKarura Forest in the north was preserved from development thanks to public protest by Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and later Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Today, it is one of the city's most popular recreational spots.Diversity of Ethnic GroupsAt the Bomas of Kenya, recreated homesteads demonstrate the building styles of the country's diverse ethnic groups, accompanied by daily dance performances.
