Kenya – The Samburu: Indigenous People of East Africa Photo Tour 2025

Price: Price on Request

Spaces Available

Please note that costs & dates for 2025 are subject to change as not all our partner properties and local airlines have released their rates. Should we need to revise costs, we will endeavour to keep fees & dates as close to the original.

Dates On Request

Welcome to the heartland of the Samburu, whose people are of nilohamitic stock related to the Laikipiak Maasai. Our Samburu photo tour focuses on the Samburu Tribe who are still strongly connected to their traditions and culture and still live a semi-nomadic life. They are considered to be one of the most famous and interesting tribes in Kenya. Their source of wealth comes from herding camels, goats, sheep but mainly cattle. Most of the men and all the women wear very colourful and traditional attires adorned with many colourful beaded earrings, bracelets, anklets and necklaces. Join us on our Samburu culture tour as we photograph and celebrate these iconic people!

Why this Photo Tour is for You

Destination Allure

Located on the Ewaso Ng’iro River in Northern Kenya lies Samburu National Park geographically located in Samburu County. Samburu has a distinct isolated beauty of the dry North and this is where approximately 1,200 registered Samburu families call home. Home to wildlife that do not occur in other major wildlife reserves and parks in Kenya, Samburu is rich in colour, experiences and sceneries of unmatched beauty.

Month of Travel

Our Samburu Tribe photo tour takes place in March which is a great time to visit Samburu National Park as the potential for short rainfalls in the afternoon create dramatic skies as spectacular backdrops to our photographs. The environment is leafy and there are less tourists frequenting the Park.

Subjects of Interest

The Samburu people are closely related to the Maasai tribe, both speaking a similar dialect derived from Maa. The name “Samburu” which means butterfly, was given to these people from neighbouring tribes who admired the beauty of the Samburu peoples who painted their faces using striking patterns to accentuate their facial features. They are semi-nomadic herders with cattle being of utmost importance to the Samburu culture and way of life. They also herd sheep, goats and camels.

Group Size

Limited to 6 travellers, share this intimate Kenya culture photography tour with like-minded individuals and enjoy experiencing and photographing the Samburu people in wild, beautiful Africa.

Guided experience

Local knowledge of the region and its wildlife is key to crafting the ultimate photography tour experience. Combined with the photographic expertise of your ORYX Senior Photo Tour Leader, and you are in for an adventure that will further fuel your excitement for photography and the destination.

ORYX LEADER
Penny Robartes

6 Days

6 Guests + 1 ORYX Leader

Classic

Culture

Destination

Kenya
Departure
Nairobi
price
Price on Request
Single Supplement
Price on Request
Photographic Highlights
Samburu Tribe, optional helicopter excursion to the remote Pokot tribe
Guide

Penny Robartes

From our gallery

Best of Samburu and Pokot

1

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and transfer to accommodation

Today is set aside as an arrival day in Nairobi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodations for the evening, and your ORYX Senior Photo Tour Leader will discuss the upcoming journey in more detail over dinner.

2

Day 2: Fly Wilson Airport to Samburu

This morning after breakfast, we will transfer to Wilson Airport and enjoy a very scenic flight into the remote and dramatic landscape of the Samburu area of northern Kenya. Our accommodations is located in tribal lands to the north of Samburu National Reserve. The lodge overlooks a vast private wildlife sanctuary called Kalama Conservancy, and has exclusive access to the surrounding 200,000 acres of pristine, protected wilderness. It is from here that we will spend the next 4 nights as we explore and photograph Samburu and its people, commencing with our first afternoon into evening photo shoot.

3

Days 3 to 5: Samburu for Tribal Photography

The Samburu are the indigenous semi-nomadic tribe and custodians of the area where our lodge is found. We have the unique opportunity to witness, interact with and learn from one of the oldest remaining tribes in Africa! Our local guides are Samburu warriors who are professionally qualified, but more importantly, who share their authentic local knowledge, ancient traditions and customs with guests Photographic activities include, but are not exclusive to, private Warrior dances, cultural village visits, photographic opportunities with herders and their camels and cattle, and staged scenic setups with local Samburu people such as along the life-giving Ewaso Ng’iro River and on top of magnificent rock formations overlooking the arid beauty of Samburu . Your ORYX Senior Photo Tour Leader will design and organise further exciting photographic activities on site, making each cultural photographic experience a new one. ***An optional activity while here in the northern regions of Kenya is a helicopter flight that will provide access to the very remote Pokot tribe, an amazingly adorned tribe that few outsiders have had the privilege of visiting!***

4

Day 6: Fly Samburu to Wilson and depart

After one last final breakfast together in the heartland of the Samburu region, we will depart for Nairobi and on arrival at Wilson airport, be transferred to a hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. ***Our Tanzania - Cultures of the Southern Serengeti Photo Tour is the perfect pre-extension to this Kenya culture photography tour. Join us as we photograph 3 authentic and deeply traditional tribes and make your Tribes of East Africa portfolio complete.***

Title
Name*
First Last
Email*
Phone
Your Enquiry*
Recommended Tour Mailer
- Please include me
Our mailers are sent once a week at the most, and promise to deliver inspiring wildlife, culture and landscape photo tours. Please uncheck this if you don't want to receive mailers.
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.