Samburu & Laikipia
The savannah to the north and west of Mount Kenya is one of Kenya's prime game viewing areas; it includes Samburu NR which is rated highly for leopard sightings, and the private conservancies on the Laikipia plateau with their large numbers of free-roaming wildife. Rare species include Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, besia oryx, reticulated giraffe and Somali ostrich. You'll also see Samburu herdsmen in their red robes. Most camps are tented. Kenya.
Best time: During the 2 dry seasons - December to March, and June to October
Access: Charter flight from Nairobi (1 hr), or by road from Nairobi (6 hrs)
Combine with: Serengeti & Maasai Mara, Amboseli
I recommend these camps
Enasoit (6+4 tents-en-suite) Family home on a ranch which is exclusively yours, combines canvas and built structures and warm comfortable décor. 2 cottages at the Pool House. Everything’s included except helicopter rides. Laikipia Conservancies, Kenya. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Lewa Safari (11 tents-en-suite) Prince William and Kate stayed here when he popped the question; this conservancy has ben a great success especially with rhino. Laikipia Conservancies, Kenya. Member of Elewana. Child friendly. $$$$.
SaSaab Camp (9 tents-en-suite) Watch elephants bathe with Mount Kenya in the distance, from your vast Moroccan-inspired tented villa with private plunge pool – guests rave about it. As well as game drives there are walks, camel rides, stargazing, quadbiking & spa treatments. Two of the rooms can be configured as a villa. An hour’s drive from Samburu. Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Kenya. Member of Classic Portfolio. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Segera Retreat (6+2+1 tents-en-suite) Sumptuous villas on a private sanctuary with emphasis on indulgence and relaxation. It’s set in well established gardens, with a mix of traditional and contemporary structures, and studded with African artworks from the formidable collection of owner Jochen Seitz. There are 2 private villas. Laikipia Conservancies, Kenya. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Sirai House (6 suites) You’ll feel like you’re in someone’s stately home, high on a ridge overlooked by Mount Kenya. Contemporary design but very elegant with facilities including gym and cinema. Less structured than typical safaris – horseback rides, bush walks and picnics, or take a drive any time of day without seeing any other vehicles as it’s booked on an […] Borana Conservancy, Kenya. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Borana (8 suites) Family owned and you’ll feel that it in the relaxed informality. Less game but lots of ways to enjoy being out in Africa, including horseriding. Borana Conservancy, Kenya. Child friendly. $$$$.
Elephant Bedroom (12 tents-en-suite) Down-to-earth camp thorugh which elephants wander regularly; on the banks of a river in the heart of Samburu; resident lions. Samburu Nature Reserve, Kenya. Child friendly. $$$.
Elsa’s Kopje (11 + 2 suites) Romantically designed lodge on a hill with views, above George Adamson’s old camp. Has made great contribution to conservation in this otherwise little visited reserve. Private villa too. Meru National Park, Kenya. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$.
Joy’s (10 tents-en-suite) Named after Joy Adamson, who lived here. Remote, chic, romantic and close to nature. Great birding. And easels & paints which is a nice touch. 26 miles from park gate. Shaba National Reserve, Kenya. Member of Elewana. Child friendly. $$$.
Kicheche Laikipia (6 tents-en-suite) Laidback and homely, with lots of activities – canoeing, hiking, join Maasai trackers to find lion on foot. Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. Child friendly. $$$$.
Kitich Mathews Forest (6 tents-en-suite) This cosy, intimate camp is the guardian of rare forest; exploring trails on foot and swim in the rivers; at night watch animals come to drink at the floodlit glade. Mathews Mountains, Kenya. Member of Elewana. $$$$.
Laragai House (8 suites) Once a private home and now available exclusive use, great views, tennis & pool & lots more activities. 5 miles from sister Borana Lodge. Borana Conservancy, Kenya. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$.
Loisaba Starbeds (5 suites) The four poster beds get wheeled out at night so you can sleep under the stars and in the morning awaken to the view from this kopje. Laikipia Conservancies, Kenya. Member of Elewana. Child friendly. $$$.
Loisaba Tented (6 tents-en-suite) Super spacious tents with polished wooden floors overlook the view to Mount Kenya. Star gazing, camel trekking and other activities. Laikipia Conservancies, Kenya. Member of Elewana. Child friendly. $$$$.
Ol Malo (4 suites) Gentler small lodge feel, buit from rock and wood dramatically on the cliff edge. Riding, walking, village visits, helicopter flips. Laikipia Conservancies, Kenya. Private villa. $$$$$.
Porini Rhino (7 tents-en-suite) Simple, low impact camp. Visit rescued chimpanzees, and 4 of the 7 remaining Northern white rhino in the world. Laikipia Conservancies, Kenya. Child friendly. $$$$.
Sarara (6 tents-en-suite) In the far north of this region, far from other camps and looking out over plains and mountains. Comfortable camp run by committed conservationists, there’s also fly-camping, and a star-bed camp a 3 hour walk away. High-ceilinged tented suites with thatch roof over, lots of big screen-windows to maximise views. Namunyak Conservancy, Kenya. Child friendly. $$$$.
Saruni Samburu (6 tents-en-suite) Bordering Samburu, astounding views, elegantly furnished. Kalama Conservancy, Kenya. $$$$.
Sirikoi (9 tents-en-suite) Relaxed but stylish, great attention to detail and service, variety of activities. Tents, cottages and private villa. Solar powered. Laikipia Conservancies, Kenya. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$.
Solio (6 suites) The only camp on this private reserve, famed for back and white rhino. Modern interiors, attention to detail, great food. Great day trips include heli rides to Mount Kenya, cycling, and the watrfalls of Aberdare NP. Laikipia Conservancies, Kenya. Member of Classic Portfolio. Child friendly. $$$$.