Samburu National Reserve lies in the semi-arid north of Kenya, bordering Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Covering about 165 sq km, it is smaller than Kenya’s better-known southern parks but stands apart for its arid-adapted wildlife and its long-running elephant research.
The reserve at a glance
- About 165 sq km, bordering Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves
- The Ewaso Ng’iro River is the lifeline of the reserve, drawing wildlife to its banks year-round
- Home to research by Save the Elephants, one of the longest-running elephant studies in Africa
- Over 450 recorded bird species
The Samburu Special Five
Samburu is known for five species adapted to dry-country life and found here more reliably than almost anywhere else in Kenya: the narrow-striped Grevy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe with its sharp net-like pattern, the pale, long-horned beisa oryx, the blue-necked Somali ostrich and the gerenuk, an antelope that stands on its hind legs to browse. Lion, leopard, cheetah and large elephant herds are also regularly seen along the river.
Landscape and climate
The reserve sits in a hot, semi-arid landscape of acacia scrub and doum palms along the riverbanks, with temperatures high year-round. Dry seasons, from June to October and December to March, concentrate wildlife around the Ewaso Ng’iro, while the shorter wet seasons in April-May and November bring migratory birds and a flush of vegetation.
Things to do
- Game drives focused on the Special Five and riverine wildlife
- Guided walks and cultural visits with Samburu communities, whose culture and dress are close to that of the Maasai
- Birdwatching along the Ewaso Ng’iro
- Sundowners and night drives offered by many camps for nocturnal species
Practical information
- Reached by road from Nairobi, roughly five to six hours, or by scheduled flights to Samburu’s airstrips
- Best visited in the dry seasons from June to October and December to March
- Often combined with neighbouring Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves under a shared entry system
Samburu’s arid-country wildlife and strong Samburu culture make it a natural complement to a Laikipia or Lewa stay in northern Kenya. Offmap Safaris can help build a northern circuit around it. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
