Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival and First Contact in Samburu

   • Morning: Your guide meets you at your Nairobi hotel. Depart on the scenic drive north, crossing the Equator into the arid landscapes of Samburu.
   • Afternoon: Arrive at Archers Post in the Samburu region. Check into your selected lodge or camp like Lions Cave Camp or the Nashipa Eco Camp).
   • Late Afternoon (4:00 PM onwards): First Game Drive in Samburu National Reserve. We enter the reserve as the heat of the day subsides. Our mission is to find the elephants of the Ewaso Ng'iro River. We observe herds coming to drink, bathe, and socialize, with your guide introducing you to their identifying features and basic herd structure.
   • Evening: Dinner and overnight at your camp, with the sounds of the African night.

2. Day 2 : From Samburu to Buffalo Springs – A Day of Contrast

   • Morning (6:30 AM - 10:30 AM): Game Drive in Samburu National Reserve. An early start to find elephants at their most active, feeding in the acacia woodlands. We focus on observing matriarchal herd behavior and tracking skills.
   • Midday: Return to camp for breakfast and leisure time.
   • Afternoon (3:30 PM onwards): Game Drive in Buffalo Springs National Reserve. We cross the bridge to explore this sister reserve. The focus shifts to the reserve's namesake springs and the different browsing patterns of elephants in this habitat, often spotting solitary bulls.
   • Sundowner: Enjoy drinks at a scenic viewpoint within Buffalo Springs.
   • Evening: Return to your Samburu accommodation for dinner and overnight.

3. Day 3 : Shaba's Drama & Rereti's Corridors

   • Morning (6:30 AM - 10:00 AM): Game Drive in Shaba National Reserve. With packed breakfast, we explore Shaba's rugged, rocky terrain. We look for elephants against the dramatic backdrop of cliffs and springs, understanding their adaptability.
   • Late Morning: Depart Shaba and proceed to the adjacent Rereti Community Conservancy.
   • Afternoon: Check into your Rereti Conservancy homestay or camp. After lunch, embark on a conservancy game drive with a local guide, learning how this community-owned land protects vital elephant movement corridors between the national parks.
   • Evening: Cultural immersion. Share a meal and stories with your Samburu hosts, gaining insight into their relationship with the wildlife around them.
   • Overnight: Homestay or Tented Camp, Rereti Conservancy.

4. Day 4 : Calves, Conservation & Return to Nairobi

   • Morning (6:30 AM - 11:00 AM): Bush Walk & Calf Observation. Accompanied by an armed ranger and a Samburu naturalist, we take a gentle walk through the conservancy. The goal is to locate and observe a herd with young calves from a safe, respectful distance. We learn to read signs of their presence and watch natural calf behavior within the protective family unit.
   • Late Morning (11:30 AM - 12:30 PM):Conservation in Action: Supplemental Feeding Observation. We proceed to a designated conservancy site to observe from a secure vantage point as wildlife rangers conduct a managed supplemental feeding or health check for any calves in their care or rehabilitation program. Note: This is a controlled veterinary/conservation activity, not a public tourist interaction. It is subject to the needs of the conservancy and animal welfare priorities on the day. A ranger will explain the purpose and science behind the activity.
   • Midday: Return to the homestay/camp for lunch and to pack.
   • Afternoon (1:30 PM): Depart Rereti Conservancy for Nairobi.
   • Evening (Approx. 7:00 PM): Arrive in Nairobi. Drop-off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for your onward journey.