4 nights / 5 days Black Rhino Tracking Experience Samburu, Kenya

A 4 nights / 5 days journey combining two of Kenya’s most exciting properties in the Wild North; the elegant and luxurious Saruni Samburu and the rugged, authentic Saruni Rhino.

Delight in unending views of pristine, untouched wilderness in complete seclusion and exclusivity, in two of the most iconic private wildlife reserves of Kenya, with a hundreds of thousands of hectares at your disposal. Discover one of Africa’s most authentic and fascinating tribe – the Samburu – learning firsthand about their culture, ancient customs and local knowledge of the wildlife and wilderness as they guide you through your safari and tracking experience.

Encounter Africa most unusual wildlife up close in their natural habitat: the ‘Samburu Special Five’, rare endemic species present only in the arid North, the famously large herds of Samburu elephants and the endangered black rhino, reintroduced to Northern Kenya after 30 years.

Day 1 – Saruni Samburu

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where our vehicle will transfer you to your

overnight hotel, or to Wilson Airport for your flight to Samburu.

Depart Nairobi in the morning, arriving at Samburu an hour later, where your Samburu guide will meet you and transfer you to the lodge, or take you on a game drive with a bush picnic lunch.

Afternoon game drive on Kalama Conservancy exploring over 200,000 acres of pristine wilderness in total privacy and sundowners with a breathtaking view.

Communal or private in-room dinner of delicious Italian-inspired dishes back at the lodge before heading to bed early in preparation for your early start.

Day 2 – Saruni Samburu

Early morning game drive and bush picnic breakfast in Samburu National Reserve to seek out the‘Samburu Special Five’: the reticulated giraffe, the Grevy zebra, the beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich and the gerenuk, all rare species that occur only in this part of the country, and look for its well-known larger wildlife including elephants, lion and leopard.

Head back to the lodge for a light three-course lunch and to relax for the afternoon, enjoying a dip in our infinity pools and a complimentary half hour Back & Neck massage at the Samburu Wellbeing Space.

Evening game drive in Kalama Conservancy ending with a bush dinner under the stars in the middle of the wilderness, and a night drive back to the lodge. The Samburu warriors dancing, candles and fire under the vast African skies make this a truly magical experience, and one of the highlights of your stay.

Day 3 – Saruni Rhino

Following a lie-in and a hearty breakfast, depart Saruni Samburu accompanied by our Samburu guides, driving two hours north west to visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in nearby Namunyak Conservancy (visit payable & bookable in advance).

Arrive in time for the noon time feeding session of the elephants and other animals in residence. Learn all about their special milk formulas, ask the elephant keepers your questions and watch with joy as the hungry ellies come racing out for their bottles!

After some further observation time as the ellies play, bathe and go about their day, head towards Saruni Rhino, a 2-hour’s drive away in Sera Conservancy, stopping in a picturesque spot for a picnic lunch on the way.

Arrive in camp, or, head straight to the Rhino Sanctuary to start your exhilarating on-foot tracking adventure taking place late afternoon as the temperature lowers. Drive to within a short distance of the endangered black rhino, leaving the vehicle on foot to track the rhino in the safety of a guide and a ranger. Communication between rangers allow you to track as many rhinos as possible in the allotted time.

After an exhilarating, ‘up close and personal’ experience, game drive back to camp where a lantern-lit bush dinner awaits you in the idyllic setting of the dry river bed, as the night sounds reverberate around you.

Day 4 – Saruni Rhino

Leave early morning with a picnic breakfast on a game drive to the nearby Fifty Wells (Kisima Hamsini) or the Singing Wells, where you will witness Samburu pastoralists watering and singing their uniquely recognised songs to their livestock at a series of natural wells, bringing water up from the depths as they have done for centuries. (Wells are seasonal).

Birders and non-birders alike will delight in the incredible spectacle that is thousands upon thousands of sand grouse dipping to take water in the natural wells and waterholes throughout Sera Conservancy, a truly astounding sight and sound show.

Return to camp and enjoy a refreshing dip in the cooling waters of the natural rock infinity pool overlooking the dry river bed surrounded by swaying doum palms as monkeys chirrup and play along.

Enjoy lunch in the shade of Swara House, with breath-taking views of a waterhole frequently visited by herds of elephants and other wildlife and birdlife.

Relax after lunch in the cool of your stone cottage (‘banda)’ reclining on your very own beach clubstyle, sandy verandah watching the waterhole. For the adventurous thrill-seekers embark on a 2nd round of rhino tracking by returning to the Sanctuary to re-live the experience.

Bush ‘lugga’ dinner under the star-lit African skies before heading to bed for your last night in the remote wilderness of Kenya’s northern frontier.

Day 5 – Departure

Following breakfast in camp, or equipped with a picnic breakfast, leave early morning** from Saruni Rhino for your departing onward flight to the Mara or back to Nairobi.

On the drive back to Kalama, enjoy one last time the incredible wildlife which call this immense community-owned and run conservancy home.

**Exact time dependent on time of departing flight from Kalama or Oryx airstrip.

Note: Incentive Travel Tours team can modify and tailor this itinerary to suit your personal preference. Baggage allowance on internal flights is 15kg per person, preferably in small, soft bags without wheels. 

Seats on the schedule flights are subject to availability at confirmation. Rates with children or single occupancy are available upon request.

*Flight times and durations may vary depending on airline and routing, and are subject to change.

Safari Includes;

• All-inclusive accommodation (Full board accommodation including soft drinks, beers, house wines and select non-luxury spirits),

• One complimentary Back & Neck massage (30 min.) per room per stay at our Wellbeing Space (excluding Saruni Rhino), 

• Airport assistance, temporary Flying Doctors cover, shared day & night game drives in 4x4 vehicles 

• Guided bush walks, bush meals, sundowner & picnic excursions

• Limited laundry service, cultural visits transfers

• All internal flights and return airstrip transfers (or pick up/drop off at Saruni Samburu)

• Conservation fees and one Rhino Tracking Experience fee per day, VAT & taxes.

Safari Excludes;

• Additional Wellbeing Space treatments, additional Rhino Tracking Experiences, exclusive use of vehicle, premium drinks

• (Champagne, luxury spirits and special wines - available upon request in advance at Saruni Rhino), any payable extra activities, entry fees to cultural visits, 

• Reteti Elephant Sanctuary visit and transfers, childcare

• International flights and visa fees, gratuities to staff & guides

• Anything of a personal nature, and all statutory increases beyond our control.