3 Days Samburu National Reserve Wildlife Kenya Cultural Tour

A 3 Days Samburu National Reserve wildlife Kenya cultural tour is a short trip to have a wildlife safari experience and also experience the culture of the Samburu people. Samburu National Reserve is tucked in the southern corner of the Samburu district, lies in the semi-desert, and is named after the Samburu people who have lived in the area for many years. The word Samburu comes from the Maasai word Sambur, which is a traditional leather bag for carrying honey and milk. Ewaso Ng’iro River in the Samburu Reserve is a major source of water and therefore attracts wildlife. Samburu National Reserve is an exceptional destination for a cultural visit, most specifically the Samburu village. Samburu has several exciting tourist activities such as game drives on the dusty roads, wild dog sightings, nature walks, sightseeing, birding, and hiking.

Detailed Itinerary of the 3 Days Samburu National Reserve Wildlife Kenya Cultural Tour

Day 1: Transfer from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve and have an afternoon Game Drive

Your 3 days Samburu adventure begins with pick up from Nairobi by your guide early morning after breakfast. You have a 2 hours drive to the first stop at Karatina open Market. This stop brings you face to face with East Africa’s largest open-air retail outlet which is majorly known for a variety of goods, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables, Kiondos, (baskets made from sisal), all types of cereals, and many other market goods with stalls that can hold up to 3,000 traders. You will spend 30 minutes at this stop to get a feel of the local market activities before embarking on a 1-hour drive to Nanyuki town for Lunch at Ibis Hotel.

After lunch, you will yet have another 1-hour drive to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. This is the home to amazing wildlife where a 2-hour game drive will allow you to see wildlife including the Rhinos, Gravy’s zebras, elephants, and many other animals. You will then switch to and half hours drive to Samburu National Reserve, reaching in time for your check-in, dinner, and overnight stay at the lodge.

Accommodation Options

Luxury: Samburu Game Lodge

Midrange: Ashnil Samburu Camp

Budget: Samburu Riverside Camp

Day 2 of 3 Days Wildlife Kenya Cultural Tour: Morning Game Drive and Samburu Village Tour

Your day starts with an early breakfast at the camp by around 7:00 am, then you will leave for an extensive game drive in the reserve. The park exploration will bring you close to the wildlife including leopards, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, antelopes, etc.

Samburu’s diverse wildlife tend to cluster close together near the life-giving Ewaso Ng’iro river which meanders through the reserve, leaving a trail of lush pastures for the reserve’s thousands of wild game species.

After a 3-hour game drive, you will head back to your camp for a snack and thereafter a cultural tour experience at Samburu village where you will interact with and learn about the fascinating local people in this area.

The cattle, goat, and camel-herding Samburu people are closely related to the Masai and they also wear similar traditional dresses of blankets and beads and maintain a very similar lifestyle. You will discover more about their nomadic way of life, and participate in the numerous activities that define a typical Samburu homestead. The activities at this stop last for 2 hours, after which you will return to the camp in time for your dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: From Samburu Return to Nairobi

On the last day of your 3 Days Samburu National Reserve Wildlife Kenya cultural tour, you have breakfast at the camp and prepare for your departure at 8:30 am by road en route to Nairobi. You will branch off at Nanyuki sports club for lunch and thereafter drive to Nairobi for an overnight stay at your hotel or airport for your departure flight.

 End of 3 Days Samburu National Reserve Wildlife Kenya cultural tour