Samburu National Reserve
Kenya · Samburu · 800 m
Description
Samburu National Reserve lies in the arid north of Kenya, shaped by the Ewaso Nyiro River as a vital lifeline through the dry landscape. The region is renowned for the “Samburu Special Five”, made up of Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk, five species particularly adapted to northern Kenya’s harsh conditions. Elephants, lions, leopards and cheetahs can also be encountered across the reserve. Nearby, the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary offers insight into elephant rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. The culture of the Samburu, a pastoral community closely related to the Maasai, is equally distinctive, with traditional “singing wells” reflecting the close relationship between people, livestock and the region’s scarce water resources.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Samburu Special Five wildlife
- Ewaso Nyiro River elephant herds
- Samburu game drives
- Samburu birdwatching (450+ species)
- Samburu riverine forests and doum palms
- Koitogor and Ol Donyo Kuroi Hills
- Samburu cultural village visits
- Singing Wells cultural experience
- Reteti Elephant Sanctuary(Day trip)
- Ewaso Nyiro River wildlife and birdwatching
- Samburu scenic viewpoints
- Samburu walking safari
Getting there
- Airports:
- UAS