3-Day Samburu Madaraka Day Weekend Safari 2026 | May 30 - June 1 Wildlife & Astro Tour From Nairobi

A Roadtrip Tour Experience to The North of Kenya

Event Details

Join our 3-day Samburu wildlife and astro safari from Nairobi. Group joining rates, Big Five game drives, Blue Moon observance, Sopa Lodge planetarium. Chama, birthday, Lipa Pole Pole welcome.

🌕 NEXT DEPARTURE: Blue Moon Madaraka long Weekend - 30 May to 1 June 2026 🇰🇪

🧭 Safari at a Glance

On Saturday, 30 May 2026, a rare Blue Moon rises over Samburu. It is the second full moon of May 2026 and the most distant full moon of the year. According to EarthSky, Blue Moons happen about once every 2.5 years. That same weekend, Kenya marks Madaraka Day. The national celebration is being held in Wajir County in the North for the first time ever.

While the North celebrates, you are already there. You track Grevy's zebra by day. You watch a Blue Moon rise over the Ewaso Nyiro River by night.

This is a 3-day group joining the Samburu astro safari from Nairobi. Full board. Discounted Samburu Sopa Lodge rates. Limited seats.

Starting from Ksh [INSERT RATE] per Kenyan Citizen sharing.

✅ Reserve with just Ksh 70000 ✅ Lipa Pole Pole welcome ✅ Alternative lodges available if Sopa is full

📞 Call or WhatsApp +254 729 257 317

👉 [BOOK NOW] 👉 [WHATSAPP QUOTE] 👉 [REQUEST CUSTOM DATES]

What is a Samburu astro safari?

A Samburu astro safari blends a classic Kenyan wildlife safari with night-sky experiences. You explore Samburu National Reserve during the day. You observe the moon, stars, and planets at night.

Kenya officially launched astro-tourism in September 2025. Samburu was chosen for good reason. Its skies rank among the clearest in Africa. The equatorial position lets you see stars from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Light pollution is almost zero.

Our 3-day package runs as a group joining safari from Nairobi every month. You travel in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a KPSGA-certified guide. You stay at Samburu Sopa Lodge, the first lodge in Africa to build its own planetarium. You track the Samburu Special Five and sit by a fire with Samburu elders who still read the stars the old way.

Want the full astro-tourism primer first? Read our Astro-Tourism in Kenya guide.

When does this safari run? Upcoming departures 🗓

We run this 3-day astro safari every month. Here are the two featured departures:

🌕 Blue Moon Madaraka Weekend - 30 May to 1 June 2026

This is the rarest departure of 2026. May has two full moons, and the Blue Moon on 31 May is the most distant full moon of the year. It is also a micromoon. Visually smaller, sharper, and unforgettable.

Kenya marks Madaraka Day on 1 June. The national celebration is hosted in Wajir County for the first time in history. You sit at the heart of that moment.

Highlights this departure 
 

🌕 Blue Moon rise over the Ewaso Nyiro River 

📸 Moon photography coaching from your guide 

🦁 Samburu Special Five game drives, morning and afternoon 

🔥 Madaraka bonfire dinner and Samburu cultural evening 

🔭 Optional planetarium sessions on both nights

🦓 Mashujaa Weekend Safari - 17 to 19 October 2026

October is peak Samburu wildlife season. The short rains start. The landscape greens up. Predators are highly active. Afternoon cloud formations deliver dramatic sunsets.

Highlights this departure 

🦒 Samburu Special Five at peak visibility 

🌾 Green-season landscapes, ideal for photography 

🎭 Full Samburu cultural evening with traditional dances 

🔭 Optional planetarium on both nights 

🔥 Mashujaa Eve reflection at the firepit

Need different dates? Request a custom departure, and we will slot your group into the next available month.

What does the 3-day itinerary look like? 🗺

Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu 🚐

You depart Nairobi at 6:00 AM. We stop for coffee at Sagana and grab a quick photo at the Equator in Nanyuki. Lunch follows in Nanyuki before we push north through Isiolo.

We enter Samburu through the southern gate. Here, the drive becomes a game drive. First sightings often happen on the way to the lodge. Expect elephants at the river. Reticulated giraffes weaving through acacia. Possibly a dik-dik or two.

You arrive at Samburu Sopa Lodge in the early afternoon. Check in. Freshen up. Have lunch. Swim in the pool if you like.

The afternoon game drive leaves at 4:00 PM. You track the Ewaso Nyiro floodplains until sundown. Return to the lodge for a sundowner and a full-board dinner.

The night belongs to the sky. See the Nightly Experiences section below.

Day 2: Full Samburu Experience 🦓

Early coffee at 6:00 AM. Game drive from 6:30 AM to late morning. This is when the light is softest, predators are most active, and the Samburu Special Five are easiest to spot.

Return to the lodge for breakfast or early lunch. Use the middle of the day as you wish. Rest. Read. Swim. Join an optional Samburu village visit. Take in traditional dances at the lodge.

The afternoon and evening game drive leaves after lunch and runs longer on Day 2. You stay in the field until sunset to catch predator hunts and the golden hour.

Dinner at the lodge. A second night under Samburu's extraordinary skies.

Day 3: Return to Nairobi 🏡

Breakfast from 7:00 AM. Check out at 9:30 AM and depart.

We stop for lunch in Nanyuki or Thika. You arrive back in Nairobi between 4:30 and 5:30 PM.

What happens at night? 🌌 Night Experiences

Both nights offer a layered night-sky programme. You choose how deep you go.

🌕 Moon observance (free, included, both nights)

Your guide leads an open-air moon observance from the lodge grounds or pool deck. Expect questions answered, constellations pointed out, and photos taken.

⭐ Stargazing (free, included, both nights)

Samburu ranks among the clearest night skies on the continent. Your guide carries a star chart and laser pointer. You learn constellations, planets, and Samburu indigenous astronomy.

🔭 Planetarium experience (optional, NOT included)

Samburu Sopa Lodge's planetarium is the first of its kind in Africa. A 360-degree HD dome projects astronomy content, lunar geology, and indigenous star stories. It runs rain or shine. Perfect for cloudy nights.

Cost: Ksh 4,500 per person per session. Available on both nights. Pay at the lodge. Do it once, twice, or not at all.

Can I hike Mount Ololokwe on Day 2? 🏔

Yes. If you are a trekker or climber, swap Day 2's daytime game drives for a guided ascent of Mount Ololokwe (also called Sabache). The mountain is sacred to the Samburu people and rises roughly 1,800 metres above the plains.

What the Ololokwe day looks like

🚐 Very early pickup from the lodge, before sunrise 
🥾 Drive to the base (about 1.5 hours) 
⛰ Guided ascent to the summit (about 3 hours) 
🌄 Summit time for photos and brunch ⬇ Descent (about 2 to 2.5 hours) 
🚐 Return to the lodge for dinner and the Night 2 programme

This is an add-on. WhatsApp us at least 7 days in advance to book. We confirm the local guide, permits, and logistics.

Where do I stay? Samburu Safari Accommodation options 🏨

This safari is built around Samburu Sopa Lodge at a discounted group joining rate. Sopa slots are limited. If you book late or the group is full, you still have options.

Option 1: Nearby partner lodges. 

You join the same safari, same game drives, and same stargazing nights. Only your room changes. We have partner rates with the lodges listed below.

Option 2: Book your own. 

You can self-select accommodation as long as it sits within reasonable driving distance of Sopa Lodge. Confirm your choice with us first. We approve the location for logistics and pickup.

Either way, your Samburu experience stays the same.

Samburu Sopa Lodge - package prices 💰

All prices are per person, full board (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). Park fees included.

Citizens hold a Kenyan ID. Residents hold a valid Kenya Work Permit, Dependent Pass, or Resident Permit. Non-Residents are international visitors.

Park entry fees (paid directly at the gate) 🎟

Park fees are set by the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Samburu/Isiolo County Governments. They are not included in the package rate above. Guests pay directly at the reserve entrance on entry.

Everything below is not included in the base package. Add as you wish.

What is included in the package? ✅

✅ Road transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof 

✅ KPSGA-certified English-speaking driver-guide 

✅ 2 nights full-board lodge accommodation 

✅ En-route game drive to the lodge on Day 1 

✅ Afternoon game drive Day 1 (4 PM) 

✅ Morning game drive Day 2 

✅ Evening game drive Day 2 

✅ Moon observance and guided stargazing both nights (weather permitting) 

✅ Samburu cultural dance performance at the lodge 

✅ Access to swimming pool, lounge, and Wi-Fi in common areas 

✅ Bottled drinking water on game drives 

What is not included ❌

❌ Planetarium sessions (optional, Ksh 4,500 per person per night) 

❌ Mount Ololokwe hike (optional add-on, we can help arrange) 

❌ Travel and medical insurance (we can help arrange) 

❌ Personal expenses (laundry, phone, tips) 

❌ Alcoholic drinks and sodas 

❌ Other items listed in the Optional Extras table 

❌ International flights and visas 

❌ Samburu village entrance fee (paid directly if you visit)
❌ All Park fees

What should I pack for Samburu? 🎒

Clothing 

👕 Neutral colours. Khaki, olive, beige, brown. Avoid bright colours and full camouflage (restricted in Kenya). 

🧥 Light layers. Warm days, cool mornings, cold nights. 

🧢 Sun hat and sunglasses 

🧦 Long sleeves and trousers for evening (mosquito protection) 

👟 Walking shoes or trainers 

🩴 Sandals for the lodge 

🩱 Swimsuit for the pool

Gear 

🔦 Small torch or headlamp 

🔭 Binoculars 

📷 Camera with a zoom lens (70-300mm recommended) 

🔋 Spare batteries and memory cards 

🔌 Universal travel adapter (Kenya uses UK Type G plug)

Health and comfort 

🧴 Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher 

🦟 Insect repellent with DEET 

💊 Personal medications and antimalarials (consult your doctor) 

🩹 Basic first-aid kit 

💧 Refillable water bottle

Documents 

🆔 ID, Work Permit, or Passport, depending on your status 

📋 Printed or digital booking confirmation 

💳 Mpesa-enabled phone or cash for tips and extras

How do I pay? Lipa Pole Pole terms 💳

We are transparent about money. Here are our full payment terms:

📌 Reserve your seat with Ksh 10000

💳 Pay 50 percent of the balance at least 30 days before departure 

✅ Settle the final balance 7 days before the trip 

💸 M-PESA Paybill for instant confirmation 

🏦 Bank transfer accepted (KCB, Equity, NCBA, Absa, Cooperative Bank) 

💼 Chama group rates for 6+ with split payments across members

Cancellation. More than 30 days before departure, you receive a refund less admin fees. Between 15 and 30 days, 50 percent refund. Within 14 days, non-refundable but convertible to credit for a future trip within 12 months. Full terms on our Cancellation Policy page.

Why book with Wild Springs Adventures? ⭐

We run our own safaris. We do not subcontract. Our trust signals:

✨ 12+ years of safari operations across Kenya and East Africa 

✨ TOSK member - bonded and regulated 

✨ TRA licensed by the Tourism Regulatory Authority 

✨ KPSGA-certified guides - the gold standard in East African guiding 

✨ Hundreds of 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor 

✨ Offices in Nairobi and Austria - local expertise, international support 

✨ Sustainable tourism - fair wages for guides, Samburu community support, Leave No Trace

Our transparency promise 

👉 No hidden fees. Every cost sits on this page. 

👉 No surprise upgrades. What you book is what you get. 

👉 No last-minute changes without your approval. 

👉 If weather or wildlife conditions force an itinerary change, we tell you straight away and offer alternatives.

Who is this Samburu safari for? 👥

This trip is built for people who want the full Samburu experience without the time or budget of a long private safari:

🎂 Birthday road-trips - surprise celebrations under a starry Samburu sky 

💰 Chama getaways - group rates with split payments across chama members 

👯 Girls and boys trips - the Samburu weekend you have been planning for years 

🌙 Couples and anniversaries - bush dinners, moonlit decks, rare Blue Moons 

🎉 Weekend escapes from Nairobi - leave Saturday, back by Monday evening 

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families with kids 6+ - educational planetarium sessions beat any textbook 

🤝 Corporate offsites - expense-friendly packages for groups of 6 or more 

🌍 Expats in Nairobi - a real African safari without taking leave 

⏰ Time-pressed travellers - full Samburu in one long weekend 

💵 Budget-conscious explorers - group joining rates make Samburu affordable 

💳 Lipa Pole Pole bookings - reserve small, pay in stages, travel stress-free

Wildlife you will see in Samburu 🦁

Samburu is a semi-arid reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. The wildlife here is different from the Maasai Mara. Some species here live nowhere else in Kenya.

The Samburu Special Five

These five rare dryland species are the reason Samburu matters. You have a strong chance of seeing all five in 3 days:

🦓 Grevy's zebra - the largest zebra species, with thin stripes and larger ears. Endangered globally. 

🦒 Reticulated giraffe - the most beautiful giraffe, with chocolate-brown patches separated by bright cream lines. 

🐐 Beisa oryx - a striking desert antelope with straight, spear-like horns and a distinctive facial mask. 

🦌 Gerenuk - the "giraffe antelope", famous for standing on its hind legs to feed from tall branches. 

🦃 Somali ostrich - the world's only blue-legged ostrich. Taller and rarer than its common cousin.

Dig deeper in our Samburu Special Five guide.

Big cats

🦁 Lions - tracked and protected by the Ewaso Lions conservation project 

🐆 Leopards - commonly seen resting in acacia trees or stalking near the river 🐅 Cheetahs - occasionally spotted on the open plains

Elephants

Samburu is home to over 900 elephants, monitored by the world-famous Save the Elephants research group using GPS collars. Large herds gather at the Ewaso Nyiro River throughout the day.

Other mammals you might see

🐃 African buffalo 🦏 Black rhinoceros (reintroduced after 25 years of absence due to poaching) 🐊 Nile crocodile (in the river) 🦛 Hippopotamus (in the river) 🐒 Olive baboon 🐗 Warthog 🦌 Grant's gazelle 🐾 Kirk's dik-dik 🦌 Impala 🦌 Waterbuck

probability varies by season and day. Morning and late-afternoon drives deliver the highest success rate for predators and the Samburu Special Five. River-focused drives reliably produce elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and waterbuck.

Birdlife for bird lovers 🦅

Samburu National Reserve has over 450 recorded bird species, making it one of Kenya's top birding destinations. The reserve's mix of semi-arid savannah, acacia woodland, riverine forest along the Ewaso Nyiro, and open wetland supports resident and migratory species in extraordinary numbers.

What makes Samburu unique for birders is its northeast African dryland specialists - species that cross over from Ethiopia and Somalia and are rare or absent elsewhere in Kenya.

Dryland specialists (rare elsewhere in Kenya)

🐦 Vulturine guineafowl - striking cobalt-blue and black plumage, often in noisy flocks 🐦 Somali ostrich - the only blue-legged ostrich species in the world 🐦 Golden-breasted starling - arguably Africa's most beautiful starling 🐦 

Somali bee-eater - slender, pale, desert-loving 🐦 Hunter's sunbird - a northern Kenya specialty 🐦 William's lark - hard-to-spot lark found almost nowhere else

Raptors and birds of prey

🦅 Martial eagle 🦅 Tawny eagle 🦅 Bateleur 🦅 Verreaux's eagle (around cliffs and rocky outcrops) 🦅 Secretary bird 🦅 African fish eagle (along the river) 🦅 Pygmy falcon 🦅 Palm-nut vulture 🦅 White-backed vulture (critically endangered)

Riverine and water-associated birds

🕊 African darter 🕊 Goliath heron 🕊 Yellow-billed stork 🕊 Marabou stork 🕊 Grey-headed kingfisher 🕊 Malachite kingfisher

Savannah icons

🕊 Lilac-breasted roller (Kenya's national bird) 🕊 Superb starling 🕊 Kori bustard - Africa's heaviest flying bird 🕊 White-bellied bustard 🕊 Yellow-necked spurfowl 🕊 D'Arnaud's barbet 🕊 Northern red-billed hornbill 🕊 Yellow-billed hornbill 🕊 Von der Decken's hornbill 🕊 Abyssinian ground hornbill

Best birding windows. Early morning (6:00 to 9:00 AM) and late afternoon (4:00 to 6:30 PM) deliver the strongest sightings. The November to April wet season adds Palearctic migrants to the resident population - an extra treat for serious birders.

Are you a dedicated birder? Tell us when you book. We brief your guide to prioritise birding targets, carry a Birds of East Africa field guide, and build in extra time at riverine hotspots.

Ready to book? 📞

Limited Sopa Lodge slots per departure. Group size capped at 16 for quality.
 

📱 WhatsApp: +254 729 257 317 

☎ Call: +254 734 417 496 or +254 721 957 652 

📧 Email: [email protected] 

🏢 Office: Valley View Office Park, Tower A, First Floor, City Park Drive, Parklands, Nairobi

👉 [BOOK THIS SAFARI] 👉 [REQUEST A CUSTOM QUOTE] 👉 [WHATSAPP US]

Related reading 📚

🌌 Astro-Tourism in Kenya: Full Guide 

🦓 Samburu Special Five: What Makes Samburu Unique 

🏨 Samburu Reserve Accommodation Guide 
🏔 15 Unique Experiences in Kenya Beyond Safari 

🦁 All Safari Experiences 
⛰ Mountain and Hiking Tours 
🎭 Cultural Tours

Frequently asked questions ❓

Is this a group joining or a private safari? 
 

Group joining. You travel with a small group of up to 16 guests. That is how we keep the rate accessible. Private departures are available on request at a different rate.
 

Can I book this safari for a birthday or anniversary? 
 

Yes. Tell us the occasion in advance. We arrange a surprise cake, decorations, a scenic sundowner spot, and a Samburu cultural greeting if you wish.
 

Is this safari suitable for a chama group? 
 

Absolutely. We host chama groups every month. For 6+ guests we offer discounted group rates, a private vehicle, and split payments across chama members.
 

Can I pay in installments with Lipa Pole Pole? 
 

Yes. Reserve with a small deposit. Pay 50 percent 30 days before the trip. Settle the balance 7 days before departure. WhatsApp us for a tailored plan.
 

I am an expat in Nairobi. Will this trip work for me? 
 

Yes. This trip is specifically designed for people with limited leave. You leave Saturday and return Monday evening. If Monday is a public holiday, you lose zero work days.
 

What happens if Sopa Lodge is fully booked? 
 

You join the same safari at a nearby lodge. Same game drives. Same stargazing. Different bed. You can also book your own accommodation, provided it is close to Sopa Lodge and approved by us for logistics.
 

Is the planetarium experience included in the price?

 No. The planetarium costs Ksh 4,500 per person per session. It runs both nights. Moon observance and outdoor stargazing remain free and included.
 

What happens if the sky is cloudy?

 Samburu's skies are clear most of the year. If clouds do appear, the planetarium's 360-degree HD dome delivers the same content indoors, weather-proof.
 

Can I add a Mount Ololokwe hike to Day 2? 

Yes. Book at least 7 days in advance. We confirm the local guide, permits, and transport from the lodge.
 

Do I need my own 4x4?

 No. We provide 4x4 Land Cruisers or safari vans with pop-up roofs. You just bring your bag.
 

Is this safari suitable for solo travellers?

 Yes. Group joining works perfectly for solo travellers. Single occupancy rates apply.
 

Can you pick me up from JKIA or Wilson Airport? 

Yes. Airport pickups are available at a small additional cost. Share your flight details when you book.
 

What is the minimum age for children?

Children aged 6 and above are welcome. 
 

Can I extend this to other parks? 

Yes. Many guests add Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, or the Maasai Mara. See all our safari experiences.
 

How safe is Samburu? 

Very safe. Kenya Wildlife Service rangers patrol the reserve daily. We operate only on approved routes with licensed lodges. Our guides carry satellite communication on every game drive.