The Kenya self-drive northern circuit — covering Samburu National Reserve, Laikipia Plateau (Ol Pejeta Conservancy), and Lake Nakuru — is the alternative Kenya self-drive circuit for visitors who have already done the classic Masai Mara circuit and want to explore Kenya’s northern wildlife areas where species not found in the south are common: the Samburu Five (reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich) are unique to Samburu and northern Kenya; Ol Pejeta has the largest black rhino population in East Africa; and Lake Nakuru is the primary flamingo viewing location in the region. The Kenya self-drive northern circuit Samburu Laikipia Lake Nakuru takes 10 to 12 days as a complete circuit from Nairobi.
Northern Circuit Distances
- Nairobi to Nanyuki (via Thika Road, A2): 195km — approximately 3 to 4 hours. Tarmac throughout. Nanyuki is the main provisioning stop before Samburu and Ol Pejeta.
- Nanyuki to Samburu (via Isiolo, A2): 100km — approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. Partly tarmac, partly murram from Isiolo to Samburu gate.
- Samburu to Ol Pejeta (via Nanyuki): 135km — approximately 2.5 hours.
- Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru (via Nyahururu): 200km — approximately 4 hours via Nyahururu and Thomson’s Falls.
- Lake Nakuru to Nairobi (via Naivasha, A104): 155km — approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Samburu: The Samburu Five
- Reticulated giraffe: Samburu’s most iconic species — the reticulated (net-patterned) giraffe subspecies is found only in northern Kenya and Somalia. Common sighting from the Ewaso Nyiro River circuits.
- Grevy’s zebra: The largest zebra species, with narrow stripes and rounded ears — distinct from the plains zebra of the Masai Mara. Samburu is the most reliable viewing location in East Africa.
- Beisa oryx: Large, straight-horned antelope with distinctive facial markings. Common on the open plains of Samburu.
- Gerenuk: The “giraffe gazelle” — long-necked antelope that stands upright on its hind legs to browse high acacia branches. Unique to the northern semi-arid zone.
Ol Pejeta: Rhino and Conservation Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy (93km from Nanyuki) is the home of 160+ black rhino — the largest black rhino population in East Africa — and the location of the last two northern white rhinos on Earth (Sudan’s daughters, under 24-hour guard). The self-drive circuit at Ol Pejeta covers the Ewaso Nyiro River frontage and the savannah areas where rhino are frequently encountered on the main tracks. Entry fee (2027): approximately USD 85/person/day.
