This exceptional 8-day, 7-night Kenya safari itinerary is meticulously crafted for the sophisticated traveler seeking to explore Northern Kenya beyond the common routes. This is a deliberate choice to experience a truly unique Kenyan adventure outside the normal Maasai Mara circuit.
Focusing on specialized ecosystems, this journey is the ultimate quest to spot the "Rare Five" — species endemic to the North: the Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk (long-necked antelope), Beisa Oryx, and Somali Ostrich. You'll travel from Nairobi into remote reserves and conservancies — Mwea, Meru, Samburu, and Ol Pejeta — discovering both classic East African scenery and wildlife as well as species found mainly in the northern/drier savannah zones.
The tour includes game drives, nature walks, boat rides (seasonal), and ample opportunities for birdwatching. This circuit blends intensive, remote wildlife tracking in Samburu and Meru with the iconic elegance and high-altitude leisure of the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club (offering golf and stunning views of Mount Kenya). The adventure culminates in a powerful conservation tourism experience at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to critically endangered rhinos.
If you're a wildlife enthusiast with a curious spirit, a photographer seeking rare species in striking landscapes, or a traveler who craves adventure beyond the usual tourist trails, this safari is crafted just for you.
The Rare Five Northern Kenya Safari takes you deep into Kenya's less-traveled wilderness in search of creatures most people never encounter — the Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, and the Somali Ostrich — collectively known as the Rare Five.
This is not a typical safari. It's for those who want to experience Kenya's raw, untouched north — with its dramatic terrain, rich biodiversity, and cultural depth. Over eight unforgettable days, you'll journey through Mwea, Meru, Samburu, and Ol Pejeta, each offering its own ecosystem, wildlife, and magic.
Your Kenyan adventure begins upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where you will be warmly welcomed by your private guide. Your journey begins with a drive out of Nairobi, heading northeast towards Mwea National Reserve — a lesser-known gem tucked between the Thiba and Tana rivers. As the city fades behind you, the landscape opens up to sweeping plains and tranquil acacia woodland.
On arrival, you'll check into your lodge and enjoy lunch, and later your afternoon is dedicated to a sun-drenched game drive in this unique reserve of baobab trees and arid savanna. This peaceful reserve is home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and an impressive variety of birds.
If water levels permit, you may take a boat ride on Kamburu Dam, where hippos grunt in the shallows and birds skim the water's surface. The day concludes with a visit to Hippo Point to observe the river life at the confluence of the Tana and Thiba rivers.
Expect serenity. Expect surprises.
After breakfast, the road calls again as you head north, delving deeper into Kenya's eastern frontier to the scenic and historically rich Meru National Park — the "Complete Wilderness," famous for its role in the story of Elsa the Lioness, where conservation legend Joy Adamson released Elsa, immortalized in Born Free.
After lunch, your afternoon welcomes the first extensive game drive — a blend of open plains, doum palm groves, and lush riverbanks. You might spot lions, elephants, buffalos, and perhaps a cheetah lazing under a bush. Keep your eyes peeled for the first sightings of the Rare Five, especially the Grevy's Zebra, easily distinguished by its narrow stripes and elegant frame.
At night, fall asleep to the sounds of Africa in one of the park's charming, remote lodges.
This day is a deep immersion into Meru's untamed soul. A full day to explore Meru means more chances to uncover its hidden treasures and incredible ecological diversity.
Your morning game drive focuses on dense thickets and water sources, offering the best opportunity to see predators on the move — leopards, cheetahs, and lions. In the evening, another drive takes you along riverbeds teeming with birds and monkeys.
If you're lucky, you might spot a black or white rhino in the sanctuary section of the park — one of Meru's success stories. You may also visit Adamson's Falls on the Tana River or enjoy a peaceful nature walk.
Today, the safari pivots to its signature destination: the unique, semi-arid landscapes of Samburu National Reserve. Crossing into the rugged, semi-arid north, the terrain changes — drier, starker, and uniquely beautiful.
Samburu is one of Kenya's best-kept secrets and the prime territory for the Rare Five.
After lunch and a short rest, your evening game drive introduces an intensive quest to find the full complement of this region's endemic species:
This is Samburu — raw, remote, and rich in rare life.
A second full day in Samburu is dedicated to exploring the dry riverbeds, thorny scrub, and the life-giving Ewaso Nyiro River, where elephants often gather to drink and bathe. You'll see countless birds, from kingfishers to martial eagles, and maybe even spot a lioness stalking her prey — or a leopard draped across a tree limb.
You may also visit a Samburu village for an enriching cultural encounter.
Each drive is different. Each moment a new story.
After breakfast, depart the northern plains and head south to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Africa's most successful conservation models.
Your full day at Ol Pejeta is both thrilling and meaningful. Game drives focus on the highest density of wildlife in the region. The primary mission is a dedicated search for the critically protected Black and Southern White Rhinos. You'll also visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see these rescued primates.
This is conservation in action — raw, real, and inspiring.
After a relaxed breakfast, take a short transfer to the legendary Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, one of East Africa's most elegant hotels.
We make a stop to straddle the Equator before arriving at the Club. This day is dedicated to relaxation and indulgence — play a round of golf, relax by the heated pool, or stroll the manicured grounds with breathtaking views of Mount Kenya. You'll also have the chance to visit the on-site Animal Orphanage.
This is your day for reflection, luxury, and connection with nature.
Your final safari morning offers a last chance to photograph the stunning landscape, often framed by the clear view of Mount Kenya's peak.
After breakfast, begin the comfortable road transfer back to Nairobi. You'll arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in good time for your international departure — having completed one of Kenya's most unique and rewarding safari circuits.
