7-Day Aberdare, Samburu, Ol Pejeta & Nakuru Kenya Highlands and North Safari

Aberdare, Samburu, Ol Pejeta & Nakuru

Rates From $2,060

About This Tour

Kenya’s high-altitude landscapes offer a steady rhythm of changing scenery and distinct wildlife. This journey moves from the misty forests of the Aberdare Range into the rugged, arid beauty of the northern frontier. It is designed for travellers who appreciate varied ecosystems and a calm, unhurried pace.

The route travels through the central highlands before reaching the red earth of Samburu and the open plains of the Laikipia plateau. Each transition reveals a different side of the natural world, ending with the serene waters of Lake Nakuru. The flow is balanced to offer both mountain air and savannah heat.

Comfort remains a priority throughout the trip. The transitions between lodges are managed to ensure guests feel refreshed and ready for each new environment. The movement is purposeful yet gentle, allowing for deep connection with the diverse regions of the north.

Our Community Impact

Johnbow prioritizes lodges that employ staff from neighboring communities. This ensures that tourism benefits local families directly. We support partners who engage in small-scale community projects to improve local livelihoods.

Our Sustainability Promise

We choose camps and lodges that operate with a commitment to conservation and environmental care. Our partners use sustainable practices to protect the delicate ecosystems of the northern circuit. We believe in responsible travel that respects the land and its wildlife.

Why This Safari Works

The itinerary is structured to follow a logical path through Kenya’s diverse northern and central regions. By starting in the cool highlands and moving toward the arid north, the journey builds in environmental intensity while maintaining a steady pace. This routing reduces travel fatigue and allows for a more immersive experience in each unique zone.

The balance of activities ensures that days are productive but never rushed. Manageable drive segments are paired with restful evenings at high-value midrange lodges. This combination of road travel and scenic stays suits travellers who value comfort and a grounded, authentic connection to the landscape. It works best for couples and first-time safari guests seeking a well-rounded circuit.

Your Trip at a Glance

A snapshot of your entire experience, from key highlights to where you'll stay and what to expect each day.

  • 4x4 Land Cruiser
  • Big Five Experience
  • Bird Watching
  • Children Allowed
  • Couple
  • Cultural Visits
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Full Board
  • Game Drives
  • Photography Safaris
  • Private Safari
  • Rhino Tracking
  • Road Transfer
  • Special Diets on Request

Trip Summary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Aberdare National Park
  • Day 2: Aberdare to Samburu National Reserve
  • Day 3: Samburu National Reserve
  • Day 4: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
  • Day 5: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
  • Day 6: Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Day 7: Lake Nakuru to Nairobi

Destinations

  • Aberdare National Park
  • Samburu National Reserve
  • Ol Pejeta Conservancy
  • Lake Nakuru National Park

Where You Stay

  • Day 1: The Ark
  • Day 2-3: Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
  • Day 4-5: Maisha Sweetwaters Camp
  • Day 6: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge

Safari Highlights

  • Watching wildlife from the forest balconies of The Ark
  • Observing the unique Samburu Special Five in the arid north
  • Crossing the equator into the northern frontier
  • Tracking endangered rhinos in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
  • Viewing the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya from the plains
  • Spotting leopards among the doum palms of Samburu
  • Watching flamingos gather on the shores of Lake Nakuru
  • Experiencing the transition from misty highlands to red deserts

Featured Destinations

Where You Stay

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Itinerary Highlights

  • Forest wildlife viewing from lodge decks
  • Cool mountain air and misty highland views
  • Evening observation at a floodlit waterhole

Itinerary information

The journey begins with a drive from Nairobi into the lush, green slopes of the Aberdare Range. The air cools as the road climbs into the misty forest environment. Guests spend the afternoon observing wildlife from the comfort of the lodge, which overlooks a busy waterhole. The evening offers a quiet chance to see forest species emerge under the moonlight.

  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: The Ark

Itinerary Highlights

  • Scenic descent from the highlands
  • Entering the rugged northern frontier
  • First game drive in the Earth Reserve

Itinerary information

The route moves northward, descending from the moist forests into a drier, more rugged landscape. The earth turns a deep red as the safari enters the Samburu region. After settling into the lodge along the river, a late afternoon game drive introduces the unique wildlife of this arid zone. The day ends with the sound of the Ewaso Nyiro River flowing nearby.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Sarova Shaba Game Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Searching for the Samburu Special Five
  • Riverine forest and doum palm landscapes
  • Observing elephants along the river banks

Itinerary information

A full day is spent exploring the unique ecosystems of Samburu. The search continues for rare species like the reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. The landscape is dotted with doum palms and rugged hills, providing a dramatic backdrop for wildlife viewing. The pace is steady, allowing for long periods of observation near the water sources.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Sarova Shaba Game Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Travel toward the Laikipia plateau
  • Equator crossing stopover
  • Afternoon arrival at the private conservancy

Itinerary information

The safari travels south toward the high-altitude plains of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Along the way, there is a brief stop to acknowledge the crossing of the equator. The environment changes to open grasslands with views of Mount Kenya in the distance. The afternoon game drive focuses on the high concentration of wildlife found within this protected sanctuary.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Maisha Sweetwaters Camp

Itinerary Highlights

  • Rhino tracking and conservation insights
  • Visit to the chimpanzee sanctuary
  • Expansive views across the savannah

Itinerary information

This day is dedicated to the varied conservation projects within Ol Pejeta. Guests have the chance to see both black and white rhinos in a secure environment. The morning and afternoon drives explore the diverse habitats of the plateau, from acacia woodlands to open plains. The rhythm of the day allows for a deep understanding of local conservation efforts.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Maisha Sweetwaters Camp

Itinerary Highlights

  • Drive through the Great Rift Valley
  • Scenic descent to the lake shores
  • Viewing white rhinos and flamingos

Itinerary information

The journey continues into the heart of the Great Rift Valley. The road winds down the escarpment toward the soda waters of Lake Nakuru. The afternoon is spent exploring the park’s acacia forests and lake margins. It is a contrasting environment where water birds and large mammals share the landscape under the yellow-fever trees.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Final morning game drive by the lake

  • Scenic return journey to the capital

  • Afternoon arrival in Nairobi

Itinerary information

A final morning drive provides one last look at the wildlife around the lake. The safari then begins its return journey to Nairobi, climbing back up the Rift Valley escarpment. The trip concludes with a drop-off in the city, marking the end of the highland and northern circuit. The transition back to urban life is managed with a comfortable afternoon drive.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Accommodation: End of Safari

JohnBow Safari Expert Insight

❝ We find the transition from the Aberdare forests to the Samburu desert offers the most dramatic landscape variety in Kenya. It is perfect for guests seeking a steady, scenic rhythm. ❞

~Johnbow Safari Team

Rates

Competitive rates for unforgettable experiences

Season2 Guests4 Guest6 Guests
July to October 2026USD 2660USD 2195USD 2060

Important Rate Notes

  • Rates vary based on seasonal availability and room types.
  • Single room supplements apply for solo travellers.
  • Child policies differ by lodge and require individual confirmation.
  • Similar standard lodges may be substituted if primary choices are full.

What's Included

  • Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
  • Private transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi
  • Game drives
  • Full-board meals during the safari
  • All national park and conservancy entry fees
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide

Optional Addons

  • Night game drives in Ol Pejeta
  • Guided bush walks
  • Cultural village visits in Samburu
  • Horseback riding safaris

What's Not Included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional activities like night game drives

Ready to start planning your Safari? Tell us your travel dates, who you are traveling with, and what matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The northern circuit is rewarding year-round, but the dry months from June to October offer the best wildlife viewing as animals gather at water sources.
Yes, children are welcome. The lodges offer a comfortable environment, and the diverse wildlife keeps younger travellers engaged throughout the journey.
These are five rare species found only in the north: the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Oryx, and Gerenuk.

See What Our Travellers Have To Say

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Dorcas Munga profile picture
Dorcas Munga
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Great planning and communication. My trips have been smooth. All expectations met 💯
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Mike Bourassa
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Our driver, Patrick, made the experience even more special with his outgoing personality and his knowledge of each park. He always made certain that he positioned his vehicle just right so we could get a perfect photo. He shared a lot about African culture an answered our questions. His keen eye spotted a cheetah from a long distance and we experienced the animal stalk and catch his prey (only to have a hyena steal it from him at the end). The accommodations were excellent at Massai Mara but were a bit too primitive at Amboseli. The large openings between the sleeping area and the bathroom brought way too many bugs into the tent. Wonderful memories of the entire experience!! We hope to come back next year and Patrick will be our choice of guide.
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Kate Mandere
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Wonderful team, very warm, helpful and well coordinated!
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Emmy Chepkoech
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I recently booked my 1st trip with Johnbow Tours and Travel and it was an outstanding experience from the start to finish. The team was professional, well-organised, helpful and incredibly friendly. Transfer to my hotel room and back was handled smoothly allowing us to relax and enjoy our journey. The fact that they allow lipa mdogo mdogo was not overwhelming paying for the package...I can't wait to book again with Johnbow 😊
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Gloria Kikete
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Jonbow has offers seamless travel service with a personal touch.
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Lolo Chgn
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Safaris de 5 jours depart Nairobi et arrivée à Diani beach Visite des parcs d’amboseli, tsavo ouest et est , t.hills Découverte d une faune magnifique Notre chauffeur Chombo a tout fait pour rechercher les animaux et il était à notre écoute ! Dépaysement total garanti Les hôtels étaient tout confort avec des conditions d’alimentation en eau et électricité précaire ! Nous remercions vraiment Morris et Chombo pour ce magnifique Safari
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Irene Nduku
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Excellent services, the team was friendly, efficient and went above and beyond to meet my need.Their service was prompt and effective. I highly recommend
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Cheyenne van den B
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We had a two day tour with Johnbow Tours & Travel to Tsavo West. The park itself is not that good to be honest, but we stayed at Salt Lick lodge and that was amazing. The animals are coming so close to the lodge, it is really beautiful to see. The driver Pius was also really nice and he had a lot of knowledge about the animals. I have been in contact with Morris and that was also really pleasant because of the arrangement we had.
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virginia mumo
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As a team of 12pax..we had an exceptional good experience with the Johnbow team. Well informed and humble team who contributed a lot to an enjoyable trip and creating memories.
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Stay06810033473
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Customer Servive Customer service was great!Communication was timely and effective especially as there were some flight changes.Either way the bookings were perfect, customer service was exceptional and we even got a treat for our anniversary, at no extra costElijah and Sam were very helpful.
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Annette M
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Exceptional Experience with Johnbow Tours and Travel! I had an unforgettable trip to Bali and Thailand, the guides were amazing, the places beautiful and the itinerary on point. Bali has very many temples and beautiful rice terraces, the swings and sunset views unforgettable. thank you Johnbow for the tour.
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KSP
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Memorable Safari with a Great Team and Guide We had a really good experience with Johnbow Tours during our Kenya safari. Morris, our main point of contact, was communicative and professional throughout. He stayed in touch via WhatsApp both before and during the trip, answering all our questions quickly and clearly, which gave us a lot of confidence going in.The pricing felt fair for what we received, and the Land Cruiser was comfortable, especially considering the long drives. They also provided snacks at the start of the trip upon request, which was thoughtful.Our guide, Paul, was very knowledgeable. He had a sharp eye for spotting animals and shared interesting facts about everything we saw. We had plenty of game drives and were lucky to spot a wide variety of wildlife.The only small issue was around water. We had been told water would be included throughout, but at a couple of the lodges, we were charged for drinking water, tea, or coffee during meals. It wasn’t a big deal, but having clarity on that from the start would’ve been helpful.Overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable safari. The team was dependable, the schedule was well planned, and we felt taken care of from start to finish. I’d absolutely recommend Johnbow to anyone planning a private safari in Kenya.
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Alain V
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A great experience, a must for everyone who reads this Jonbow, our driver who has the same name as the agency, took very good care of us. He was on time for the appointment. Once on the road he was super attentive. In the park he was always the first to spot the game. He gave us very good explanations about all the animals we saw. No effort was too much to make us spot all the game. Super friendly and helpful guy. He operates from Mombasa/Diani Beach. He made sure that our safari will remain unforgettable.
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winnie a
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Dubai tour 2024 was a birthday gift to my son who turned lucky number seven. I writing to thank you for coordinating our trip to UAE, dubai. Everything was perfect; the flight, the hotel was clean and all staff were friendly and professional. Special thanks to Mary Gathua as she was the one who coordinated everything for us.The tour guides were excellent! They made things as easy for us as possible. I really appreciate these and that indicate the quality services that they provide.We had dubai town tour and our guide, Mr. Albert did exceptionally well. We learnt about the origin of UAE and the important features in dubai. We had dhow cruise with dinner, and the dessert safari with dinner.Desert safari was the best of the trip (the driver , Mr . Zaheer was very professional, and the overall experience was thrilling and amazing). The desert safari remains in my priority to do list when I visit dubai next.I would certainly recommend Johnbow Tours and travel to anyone wanting to visit Dubai. Thank you again and look forward to plan our next vacation with you.
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maryanne o
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Awesome Best tour company ..travelled to Dubai in Emirates .Booked the best hotel in Dubai..Johnbow staff are friendly and accommodatve I rate them10/10 they're affordable too .
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M A
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Superb service Happy New Year! Eunice managed our travel plans superbly, and I’m grateful. Our stay at Pride Inn was delightful; the staff’s service, food, attention, and entertainment made our holiday special and memorable. Thanks again for your excellent services.
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gladys n
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Efficient Eunice of John Bow ,was pretty helpful from getting us a hotel to SGR tickets, and transfers to the hotel.She also called to ensure we arrived safely.I loved the seamless process and especially because we chat on whatsapp mostly. Johnbow tours keep their word! I would choose them again.
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Christine N
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Awesome experience This travel company was very efficient. I engaged them on whatsapp in the morning and by afternoon they had finalised everything including the sgr tickets. Their staff Eunice was readily available even at night because we did night travel. And early morning at 4 am, she called to find out if the driver had picked us. I would recommend them anytime
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Sabina M
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It was a time of relaxation and fun. The trip was well planned from Nairobi to Maasai Mara. We had so much fun and took so many photos. We saw lions, cheetahs, elephants and other animals. If we could do it again, we would still chose Johnbow tours and travel.
info@johnbowtoursandtravel.com
Kenya Cinema Plaza, 3rd Floor Room 3-8. Moi Avenue, Nairobi