Kenya Northern Circuit Itinerary: Samburu, Laikipia and Meru

North of the equator, Kenya becomes hotter, drier and quieter. The Ewaso Ngiro River draws wildlife in Samburu, Laikipia's conservancies protect rhinos and offer walking, and Meru's rivers and woodland feel genuinely remote.

The itineraries below show how to combine the three at different lengths, and how to add the Masai Mara or Mount Kenya if you want a broader trip.

This guide is part of our Uganda road routes and driving guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

What Makes the Circuit Different

Samburu is known for five species that are far easier to find here than in the south: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx and gerenuk. The Ewaso Ngiro River brings elephants, crocodiles and leopards close to the camps. Laikipia adds rhinos, wild dogs in some areas and the freedom of conservancy activities. Meru is wetter and greener, with rivers, swamps and thick woodland, and it receives far fewer visitors. Read the Samburu special five guide to know what to look for.

Five-Day Itinerary

Day 1: fly or drive from Nairobi to Samburu and take an afternoon drive along the river. Day 2: full day in Samburu, with a morning drive and an afternoon visit to a community or a walk near camp. Day 3: transfer to Laikipia for an afternoon game drive. Day 4: a full day on a conservancy including a walk or a night drive. Day 5: dawn drive, then return to Nairobi. This is the best choice for those with limited time, and it relies on at least one flight to avoid a very long road day.

Seven-Day Itinerary

Spend three nights in Samburu, then three in Laikipia, with the last day returning to Nairobi. The extra night in each area allows an unhurried second day, which is when many travellers find leopards, wild dogs or a particular rhino. Consider a visit to the chimpanzee sanctuary at Ol Pejeta, and a cultural visit with a Samburu community arranged through your lodge. See Samburu itineraries and Ol Pejeta and Laikipia itineraries for further detail.

Nine-Day Itinerary

Add Meru to the seven-day plan, using two or three nights. Meru is best reached by a combination of road and light aircraft, and it suits travellers who value solitude over guaranteed numbers. Days there are spent on slow drives through swamps, riverine forest and open plains, looking for elephants, buffalo, reticulated giraffe and, with luck, rhinos and predators. Read the Meru wildlife guide to set expectations; it is a place of atmosphere as much as quantity.

Transport and Pacing

Road distances in the north are long, and some tracks are rough, so many itineraries use scheduled or charter flights between regions. Ask your operator which sectors are by air and what the baggage limits are, since soft bags are usually required. Build in at least two nights per base so the trip does not become a series of transfers. Note that the north is warmer by day, with cool nights in Laikipia, so pack accordingly using the East Africa packing list.

Seasons

The dry months of June to October and January to February are popular because animals concentrate along the river and tracks are easy. The rains of March to May and November bring green scenery, birds and fewer visitors, though some roads become slow. Because the north is less seasonal than the Mara in terms of wildlife, the circuit is a good choice if your dates are fixed. See best time to visit Samburu.

Combining With Other Regions

The circuit pairs well with a few nights in the Masai Mara, or with Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha on the way back to Nairobi. For the wider picture, see Kenya safari itineraries of 3, 5 and 7 days.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team