07 days flight safri Kenya´s highlights

You will take the morning flight from Nairobi to Samburu

Nestled within the vast and rugged landscapes of northern Kenya, Kalama Conservancy stands as a testament to the power of community-driven conservation.

Established in 2002, this 49,000-hectare reserve is a member of the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), an umbrella organization dedicated to safeguarding Kenya’s rangelands. Owned and managed by the indigenous Samburu people, Kalama Conservancy serves as a vital wildlife corridor, enabling the free movement of large herds of elephants and other wildlife migrating between Samburu and Marsabit. This spectacular region, marked by its acacia-grassland mosaics and dramatic upland forests, is not just a haven for wildlife but also a living, breathing cultural tapestry woven by the pastoral Samburu tribes.

Saruni Samburu has achieved iconic status for its stunning setting and the way that elements of authentic Samburu culture and community conservation have been seamlessly woven into the luxury safari experience. As the pioneer safari lodge in the community-owned Kalama Wildlife Conservancy, Saruni Samburu paved the way for community-centred ecotourism in northern Kenya.

Consisting of just six guest villas, the lodge offers sweeping vistas over the unparalleled landscapes of northern Kenya. With access to both the Samburu National Reserve and the Kalama Conservancy, Saruni Samburu offers ample opportunities to encounter the legendary elephant herds that traverse this terrain, and spot endangered species including the ‘Samburu Special Five’.

Saruni Samburu provides the perfect setting for luxury family safaris and unique insights into the potential for community-based tourism. 

In contrast to the lush Masai Mara, Samburu is rougher, drier and more mysterious. The golden sun bathes the landscape in warm ochre tones, while the Ewaso Nyiro River serves as a lifeline - here animals gather to drink, hunt and rest in the shade of the doum palms.

Samburu is home to the “Special Five”: the long-necked Gerenuk antelope, the finely striped Grevy's zebra, the elegant reticulated giraffe, the proud Beisa oryx and the exotic-looking Somali ostrich with its blue legs.

But the reserve also offers spectacular encounters beyond these five: Elephants roam the riverbed in large herds, lions prowl through the grass, cheetahs share their prey - and if you're lucky, a leopard will flash through the thicket. Crocodiles lurk at the water's edge, hippos splash lazily, buffaloes powerfully cross the terrain. In the air: a concert of colors and calls - over 350 bird species, from majestic vultures to iridescent kingfishers, from scarlet bateleur to drumming guinea fowl.

Samburu is not a place of loud spectacles, but of quiet wonders. If you are prepared to look closely, you will discover the heartbeat of the wilderness here - raw, genuine and full of secrets. And above it all hovers the colorful hustle and bustle of birds - more than 350 species populate the sky and the bushes. From the majestic vulture to the lightning-fast kingfisher, from the scarlet bateleur to the drumming guinea fowl - every flap of their wings tells a story.

Samburu is not a place of loud spectacles, but of quiet wonders. Here you can feel the rhythm of the wilderness, breathe in the dust of the savannah and listen to the whisper of the wind as it tells of distant adventures. Welcome to a land that only reveals its secrets to those who are prepared to look closely.

The morning awakens with the gentle murmur of the Ewaso Nyiro, whose life-giving waters characterize the wild savannah. The sun bathes the landscape in warm gold - this is where your journey into untouched nature begins. Elephants leisurely pass by the riverbank, giraffes stretch their necks towards the acacia leaves and, with a bit of luck, the shy leopard can be seen in the shade of the rocks. The river rises in the Aberdares and disappears into the Lorian Swamp - the lifeline of this wild paradise.

Samburu is home to the proud Samburu people, known as the “butterfly people” because of their colorful clothing and elaborate beadwork. A visit to the village provides an insight into their centuries-old culture - experience their dances, listen to the stories of the elders and discover handmade souvenirs.

A trip to the Reteti Elephant Trust, a local initiative that cares for orphaned elephants, is particularly beautiful. With one of the first community-run elephant sanctuaries in Africa, the Trust protects and rehabilitates these gentle giants before releasing them back into the wild - an impressive example of sustainable conservation and community work.

Offered activities:

• Picnics, bush meals & sundowners
• Massages & treatments
• Guided bush walks
• Warriors Academy – family activity
• Visit to local weekly village market
• Tribal story-telling through song & dance

You will fly today to Naibosho in the Mara System.

Named after the Maasai word “Naboisho”, meaning “coming together,” the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a powerful example of community-driven conservation. Created through the leasing of land from individual Maasai landowners, it offers the first opportunity for many to earn direct, sustainable income from wildlife and nature — without selling their land.

Bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve to the north, the conservancy protects vital migration corridors and habitats essential to the long-term survival of the Mara ecosystem. Established with the support of Saruni Basecamp, Naboisho provides an alternative to land fragmentation and habitat loss by promoting a model of community-owned conservation.

Naibosho is famous for its outstanding high population of wild cats.

Reworked to make the very most of its commanding position atop an escarpment above the Mara plains, Saruni  Eagle View has always offered expansive vistas stretching to the point where the plains meet the canvas of the  skyhe elevated position of this eco camp also offers guests frontrow seats for the wildlife dramas that unfold around  the natural salt lick and watering hole below the main area. 

It has nine Viewpoint tents built on elevated platforms: eight are double tents and two are family tents that have two bedrooms each. Each tent offers raised canvas ceilings for a spacious feeling, soothing earth colouring, and a king-size, double or twin beds comfortably fitted with fresh white linen and indulgent duvets. Each tent has a private bathroom area featuring toilets and two showers, one inside and one open-air “safari shower”. All rooms have a private elevated viewing deck offering exceptional views of Mara Naboisho Conservancy.

This breathtaking reserve is home to the largest concentration of big mammals in Africa and is widely regarded as one of the continent’s ultimate wildlife sanctuaries. The vast savannahs and gentle rolling hills provide an unparalleled backdrop for the incredible array of wildlife living here in their natural habitat.

Naibosho is also part of the northern extension of the vast Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, world-famous for the spectacular annual Great Migration. This awe-inspiring natural phenomenon sees thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journeying across the plains in search of fresh grazing grounds.

As we make our way to the camp today, a short but exciting game drive awaits you. Enjoy the rich diversity of sights and keep your eyes peeled for the majestic inhabitants of this unique wilderness—from graceful giraffes and powerful elephants to the sleek big cats that roam these lands.

After an early breakfast, you will embark on exciting game drives both in the morning and the afternoon, exploring the captivating Naibosho. The landscape of the reserve is predominantly open savannah, consisting of vast grasslands, with iconic acacia trees dotting the southeastern parts of the park. .

During the rainy season, numerous seasonal rivers flow through the area, transforming the landscape into a vibrant network of waterways. However, these rivers gradually dry up once the rains cease, creating a fascinating cycle that shapes the vegetation and wildlife behavior throughout the year.

Naibosho is renowned for hosting Africa’s largest concentration of wildlife. Here, you will encounter the legendary “Big Five” – elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes – alongside vast herds of zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, oribis, hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, impalas, hippos, crocodiles, and many others. The reserve boasts one of the highest densities of African lions, including the rare and majestic black-maned lions that lend this region its unique character.

Not only mammals but also the birdlife of the Maasai Mara is extraordinarily rich. Over 400 bird species inhabit this remarkable ecosystem, offering birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts countless opportunities for awe-inspiring sightings.

Today you will fly back to Nairobi.