Samburu Game Reserve
Unexplored northern Kenya: an 8-day safari
8 days
from £2,450 per person
Kenya tours & tailor-made trips
Plan your dream trip to Kenya with a local expert
See a different side to Kenya on a trip built just for you, by someone who lives there.
Custom itinerary planningHandpicked local experts
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Kenya's wildlife goes far beyond the Masai Mara, from Grevy's zebras in Samburu to rhinos grazing beneath Mount Kenya at Solio.
Kenya gave the world the word safari, Swahili for journey. Between July and October, wildebeest herds pour across the Mara River, while Amboseli's elephants walk beneath the snowy summit of Kilimanjaro. Head north to Samburu and Meru for drier, quieter country, or to Ol Pejeta, home to the world's last two northern white rhinos. Finish on the coast at Watamu, where Swahili culture, coral reefs and white sand make an easy end to a trip.
Our local experts plan routes that mix the famous reserves with community conservancies, where Maasai and Samburu guides lead game drives on their own land, and add experiences such as cycling through Hell's Gate National Park or a morning at a village market. Planning with them directly sends more of your money to Kenyan guides, camps and the Maasai and Samburu communities who share their land with wildlife.
Your Kenya adventure awaits
Best time to visit
Dry season for safaris: late June to October, with the migration in the Mara from about July
Short dry season: January and February
Destination highlights
Watch wildebeest crossing the Mara River, then see elephants framed by Kilimanjaro in Amboseli. In Samburu Game Reserve, look for the Samburu special five, including reticulated giraffes, Grevy's zebras and gerenuks, before tracking black and white rhinos at Solio Reserve and Ol Pejeta. Birders head to Lake Bogoria, where flamingos gather in their thousands, and in Nairobi, a morning at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's elephant orphanage makes a gentle start.
Price overview
£2,000 - £2,500+
All of our tailor-made trips can be 100% customised to your style—from budget stays to higher-end escapes. Prices are per person, based on a 7-day trip.
Best time to visit
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Meet your local experts
Your trip, planned by someone who actually lives there
Our local experts aren’t travel agents working from a brochure. They’re people who live locally and know the destination like the back of their hand. Alongside them, you’ll craft an authentic and immersive trip, filled with intimate knowledge and passion for the place they call home.
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DamarisI'll help you enjoy plenty of authentic experiences in Kenya: local village visits, cycling tours of Hell's Gate National Park, wildlife safaris to spot the Big Five, treks in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro...
- Damaris
I've planned for you to end your safari tour with a day of rhino-viewing at the Solio Reserve - an unforgettable wildlife experience.
- Damaris
Working with TravelLocal has helped us grow our business and support our local community.
Traveller stories
What our travellers are saying
Amazing trip to Kenya. Guides on both Trekking and Safari legs were amazing and passionate about the landscape and animals. Lodges were all great too.
Overall, it was an exceptional experience, and I highly recommend TravelLocal for anyone looking to travel in a meaningful, well-organized way.
The safaris and accommodation were truly an amazing experience. The personal care that Heike and Olaf offered us added an extra layer to our days in Kenya.
From start to finish, this was a super special holiday with lots of lovely additional touches. We cannot thank Damaris enough for such a memorable holiday.
+78k78,000+ travellers have had a more authentic, tailor-made holiday
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Good to know
Frequently asked questions about Kenya
Kenya is a year-round destination. The long dry season, from late June to October, is the classic safari time, and the wildebeest migration is usually in the Masai Mara from July. January and February are also dry and warm. The long rains come around April and May and the short rains in November, when the parks are green, quieter and excellent for birdwatching.
Swahili and English are the official languages, and English is widely spoken in hotels, lodges and by safari guides. Kenya is also home to more than 40 ethnic groups with their own languages, including Kikuyu, Luo and Maa. A friendly jambo (hello) or asante (thank you) goes a long way.
British citizens don't need a visa, but must apply online for an electronic travel authorisation (eTA), ideally at least two weeks before you leave. From 5 October 2026, most visitors also need Kenyan government travel health insurance, bought as part of the eTA application. Your passport must be valid for six months from arrival, with two blank pages. Check the latest entry requirements.
Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling (KES). Cards are accepted at most lodges, hotels and larger restaurants, and Cash machines are common in Nairobi and towns. Kenya launched the M-Pesa mobile money system in 2007, and people use it for almost everything. Carry small notes for tips and markets, and if you bring US dollars, make sure the notes are recent, as older ones are often refused.
Kenya is in East Africa on the Indian Ocean, and the equator runs right through it. It borders Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. Nairobi is the capital and main gateway, and many safaris begin with a short flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to an airstrip in the Mara.
Kenya welcomes many visitors each year, and the main safari areas are well set up for them. In Nairobi and Mombasa, take normal care with belongings, avoid walking after dark and use taxis booked through your hotel. In the parks, follow your guide's advice. Check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go.
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