Guide to North Eastern Attractions

North Eastern Attractions

Shaba National Reserve

Shaba National Reserve, located in northern Kenya, offers a unique and less-visited safari experience. Known for its rugged beauty and dramatic landscapes, Shaba features volcanic formations, lush springs, and the Ewaso Nyiro River, which attracts a variety of wildlife. The reserve is home to species such as Grevy’s zebras, Somali ostriches, reticulated giraffes, and gerenuks, as well as large predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Its rich history includes being the setting for Joy Adamson's book "Born Free." Ideal for adventurous travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations, Shaba provides a serene and enchanting safari experience.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is a premier game reserve in Northern Kenya, covering about 165 square kilometers along the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River, which is the area's only permanent water source. The reserve is part of a larger ecosystem including Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves, forming a vast wildlife habitat in a semi-arid, dry, and warm climate.

Location and Landscape
Situated about 315 km north of Nairobi, near the equator, at altitudes between 800 and 1,230 meters.

Features rugged hills and inselbergs like Ololokwe and Koitogor mountains, with acacia woodlands, thorn trees, doum palms, and riverine forests lining the river.

The Ewaso Ng'iro River flows through the reserve, supporting wildlife and creating lush areas amid the dry landscape; it sometimes floods or dries seasonally.

Wildlife Highlights
Famous for the "Samburu Special Five": Reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, and gerenuk (giraffe-necked antelope).

Hosts large populations of elephants (around 900), lions, leopards (notably good for leopard sightings), cheetahs, and wild dogs.

Other animals include buffalo, hippopotamus, olive baboons, warthogs, Grant's gazelle, impala, waterbuck, and reintroduced black rhinoceros.

Rich birdlife with over 350 to 450 species, including kingfishers, sunbirds, bee-eaters, vultures, and the rare vulturine guineafowl.

The river supports Nile crocodiles and hippos.

Conservation and Community
Samburu Reserve forms part of a larger conservation ecosystem with neighboring conservancies like Kalama, West Gate, and Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy.

The area is the traditional homeland of the Samburu people, who maintain their pastoral lifestyle and cultural heritage, including unique practices like the "Sarara Singing Wells" water collection ritual.

Tourism and Safari Experience
The reserve is less crowded than southern parks, offering a more remote and serene safari experience.

Best visited during dry seasons (June to October and January to mid-March) when animals concentrate near the river, making wildlife viewing rewarding.

Accommodation often includes riverside lodges with views of Mount Kenya and the surrounding landscape.

Visitors can combine visits to Samburu with Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves due to their proximity and shared ecosystem.

Samburu National Reserve is renowned for its unique dry-country wildlife, stunning landscapes, cultural richness, and excellent opportunities to see rare species not commonly found in Kenya’s southern parks.

DRONE PILOTING

During drone piloting, i can:

1. Capture Aerial Photography and Videography: Take stunning photos and videos from unique perspectives.

2. Document Events: Record weddings, sports events, or other occasions from the sky.

3. Survey and Inspect: Conduct aerial inspections of buildi...

During drone piloting, i can:

1. Capture Aerial Photography and Videography: Take stunning photos and videos from unique perspectives.

2. Document Events: Record weddings, sports events, or other occasions from the sky.

3. Survey and Inspect: Conduct aerial inspections of buildings, infrastructure, and land for various purposes.

4. Create 3D Maps and Models: Generate 3D maps and models for industries like construction and agriculture.

5. Search and Rescue: Assist in search and rescue operations by covering large areas quickly.

6. Environmental Monitoring: Monitor wildlife, landscapes, and ecosystems for research and conservation.

7. Real Estate Promotion: Showcase properties from the air for real estate listings.

8. Film and Cinematography: Capture cinematic shots for movies and advertisements.

9. Agricultural Analysis: Assess crop health and optimize farming practices.

10. Recreational Flying: Enjoy recreational flying and exploring landscapes for personal enjoyment.

Top North Eastern Tours

$5200 Per Day

Kenya’s Wild Treasures: A Premier Safari Through Aberdare, Ol Pejeta, Samburu & Meru

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS.

Aberdare National Park (The Ark Lodge)
Wildlife: Home to elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, giant forest hogs, bongos (rare forest antelope), civet cats, duikers, leopards (rare), spotted hyenas, and diverse primates including black-and-white colobus and Sykes monkeys.

Birdlife: Over 250 species including the scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, African paradise flycatcher, Jackson’s francolin, crowned eagle, and Aberdare cisticola.

Scenery: Dramatic mountain ranges with peaks like Mount Satima (highest), Mount Kinangop, and stunning waterfalls such as Karuru Falls (273m total drop) and Chania Falls.

Experience: Wildlife viewing from floodlit waterholes at The Ark, forest walks, and moorland hikes.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Sweetwaters Serena Camp)
Wildlife: The largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, home to the Big Five, including rare northern white rhinos. Also famous for lions, elephants, buffalos, and wild dogs.

Special Activities: Lion tracking with rangers, chimpanzee sanctuary visits (Kenya’s only), and night game drives.

Birdlife: Rich bird diversity along the Ewaso Nyiro River with opportunities for boat rides.

Samburu National Reserve (Samburu Sopa Lodge)
Wildlife: Unique northern species such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx, alongside elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

Culture: Visits to Samburu villages to experience traditional culture.

Landscape: Riverine forests, acacia woodlands, and open plains along the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Meru National Park (Rhino River Camp)
Wildlife: Known for rhinos, elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards (especially at Elsa’s Kopje), and diverse birdlife.

Scenery: Scenic riverine forests, swamps, and open plains.

Experience: Game drives, walking safaris, and cultural visits.

This safari offers a rich blend of rare wildlife, birding, cultural experiences, and stunning landscapes across four iconic Kenyan parks, with exceptional lodges providing unique wildlife encounters and comfort.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Nairobi to Aberdare National Park – The Ark Lodge
Drive (~3-4 hours) from Nairobi to Aberdare National Park.

Check in at The Ark Lodge, renowned for its multi-level viewing decks overlooking a floodlit waterhole attracting elephants, buffalos, hyenas, and more.

Afternoon wildlife viewing from the lodge decks.

Evening game drive.

Day 2: Aberdare National Park
Morning guided forest walk then game drive in the moorlands and forest, spotting unique species like giant forest hogs, bongos, and over 250 bird species.

We visit the highest waterfall in Kenya, Karuru water fall. We will also visit Gura water fall.

Day 3: Aberdare to Ol Pejeta Conservancy – Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Short drive (~2-3 hours, about 90 km) from Aberdare to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Check in at Sweetwaters Serena Camp, overlooking a waterhole with great wildlife viewing.

Afternoon game drive in Ol Pejeta, home to the Big Five, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and the only northern white rhinos on earth.

Optional night game drive.

Day 4: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Morning lion tracking with conservancy rangers.

Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Kenya’s only chimpanzee sanctuary, including a boat ride on the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Afternoon game drive or guided bush walk.

Relax at camp with river views.

Day 5: Ol Pejeta to Samburu National Reserve – Samburu Sopa Lodge
Drive (~3-4 hours) north to Samburu National Reserve.

Check in at Samburu Sopa Lodge overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Afternoon game drive focusing on Samburu’s unique species: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx.

Day 6: Samburu National Reserve
Full day game drives exploring riverine forest, acacia woodlands, and open plains.

Visit a Samburu village for cultural immersion.

Optional boat ride or nature walk along the river.

Day 7: Samburu to Meru National Park – Rhino River Camp
Drive (~4-5 hours) to Meru National Park.

Check in at Rhino River Camp near the Tana River.

Afternoon game drive focusing on rhinos, elephants, lions, buffalo, and diverse birdlife.

Day 8: Meru National Park
Full day game drives exploring Elsa’s Kopje (famous from the Born Free story) and other scenic areas.

Optional guided walking safari or visit to local communities.

Day 9: Meru National Park
Early morning game drive or walking safari.

Leisure afternoon enjoying camp facilities and river views.

Day 10: Meru to Nairobi
Drive (~5-6 hours) back to Nairobi for departure.

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