Samburu National Reserve

Introducing

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve covers an area of 165 square km (64 square miles). The reserve is located in the Samburu District, North of the Equator. A desert and semi-desert region with a dry and warm climate characterize it. Samburu is a vast, remote, pristine wilderness and a unique wildlife conservation haven. Samburu Reserve is among the best wildlife reserves in Kenya and Africa. It is well known for its abundance of wildlife, including the unique Samburu Special Five: (Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and the Beisa Oryx.) It is also home to a population of about 900 elephants. If you enjoy big cat safaris, Samburu is a top destination for several big cats, including Cheetahs, Lions and leopards. You are likelier to spot leopards and other predators in Samburu than most Kenyan parks. Wild dogs are also popular in the park.

Over 450 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, making it at the top of the list for avid bird watchers. Samburu is surrounded by other wildlife conservancies, which include Kalama, Namunyak & Westgate Community. Ewaso Nyiro River is the only water source dependent on the survival of all wildlife animals in the reserve. You will spot schools of hippos and floats of crocodiles in the river while on a game drive. It is one of the famous destinations in East Africa.

Experience the Samburu National Reserve

Encounter a diversity of species in the arid and beautiful Samburu National Reserve, including herds of elephant and buffalo, prides of lions and both cheetah and leopard. However, what separates the Samburu from other parks is its unique wildlife, including the long necked gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe and blue legged Somali ostrich. A noteworthy mention is the reintroduction of the last member of the Big 5: black rhinoceros, currently scarce but making good progress.

There have been more than 390 bird species recorded in Samburu & Buffalo Springs National Reserve. The reserves protect a variety of habitats, home to different bird species including arid acacia savannah, scrub and gallery forest alongside the Uaso Nyiro River. The dry, open country offers very rewarding birding opportunities and boasts a number of northeast African dry-country species shared with Ethiopia and Somalia, such as vulturine guineafowl, Somali bee-eater and golden-breasted starling.

Locate the Samburu National Reserve

Discover: Samburu National Reserve

Nestled in the rugged terrains of Northern Kenya, the Samburu Game Reserve is a sanctuary of untamed beauty and unparalleled biodiversity. This pillar page aims to be your definitive guide to this remarkable destination, offering a deep dive into its unique ecosystem, the indigenous Samburu community, and the plethora of activities that await you. Whether you’re an avid wildlife enthusiast or a first-time safari-goer, Samburu Game Reserve promises an experience that is both exhilarating and enlightening.

Unlike its more famous counterparts like the Maasai Mara, Samburu Game Reserve offers a more secluded and intimate experience. Its semi-arid landscape is adorned with acacia trees, thorny shrubs, and the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which serves as a lifeline for the region’s flora and fauna. The reserve is home to unique species that are not commonly found in other Kenyan parks, such as the Grevy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe, and the Gerenuk, also known as the “giraffe gazelle.”

Getting There

By Air: You can access Samburu National Reserve by flying from Nairobi Wilson Airport using a scheduled domestic flight with a flight time of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Samburu Airstrips include Kalama, Buffalo Springs, and Samburu Oryx, spread out in the reserve to serve camps or lodges nearby. The two airlines from Wilson Airport are Air Kenya & SafariLink.

Flight Times:
Morning Flight: Departs Wilson at 09:15 am- and arrives in Samburu at 10:45 am.
Return to Wilson Flight: Departs Samburu at 10:55 a.m. and arrives in Wilson at 12:40 p.m.
If you are flying to Mara, Depart from Samburu at 10:05 a.m. Arrive in Mara at 11:30 a.m.

By Road: The drive from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve is about 310 km-325 km, depending on your entry point. It takes about 6 hours. It is the most popular mode of transport. Road conditions are a mix of tarmac and substandard conditions, which include potholes and bumpy and dusty roads, which are all part of the African adventures.

Best time to visit

Samburu combines an arid and semi-arid climate with hot, dry days and cold nights. Daytime temperatures range from 29°C/ 84 °F to 32°C/89 °F. Night-time temperatures range from 16°C/61 °F to 19°C/ 66°F. Samburu Reserve experiences “long rains” from April to May, and from mid-October to mid-December, “short rains.”

The best times to visit is during the dry months. June to October and December to March are considered “ the long dry seasons”. Mid-March to May and November are rainy months in Samburu National Reserve. You can still visit Samburu during these times.

Wildlife Experience

Samburu National Reserve has an extensive variety of wildlife. It is a special place to spot big herds of elephants and the pride of Lions and leopards. Expect to see Four of the famous “Big Five” ( Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant). However, there are no Rhinos in the reserve. Other animals include Cheetah, Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Zebra, African Hare, Antelope, Banded Mongoose, Bat Eared Fox, Bush Baby, Bush Buck, Coke’s Hartebeest, Common Eland, Copper Tailed Monkey, Red Tailed Monkey, Crested Porcupine, Dwarf Mongoose, Grant’s Gazelle, Honey Badger, Impala, Kirk’s Dik Dik, Klipspringer, Olive Baboons, Oribi, Pangolin, Side Striped Jackal, Slender Mongoose, Spotted Hyena, Spring Hare, Straw Colured Fruit Bat, Thomson’s Gazelle, Vervet Monkey, Warthogs and Waterbuck.

Birdlife

For bird-watching enthusiasts, Samburu National Reserve is the place to be. There are over 450 bird species recorded in the reserve. They include Abdim ‘s Stork, African Darter, African Grey Hornbill, African Fish Eagle, African Harrier Hawk, African Openbill Stork, African Spoonbill, African White Backed Vulture, Bateleur, Black Chested Snake, Black Headed Heron, Black-Winged Kite, Crested Francolin, Egyptian Goose, Fischer’s Sparrow, Green Wood Hoopoe, Grey Headed Kingfisher, Hamerkop, Hadeda Ibis, Kori Bustard, Lapped Faced Vulture, Lilac Breasted Roller, Marabou Stork, Martial Eagle, Common Ostrich, Somali Ostrich, Rufous Naped Lark, Ruppells’Vulture, Secretary Bird, Southern Ground Hornbill, Southern Masked Weaver, Speckled Mousebird, Spotted Thick Knee, Stripped Kingfisher, Superb Sterling, Vulturine Guineafowl.

Where to go in Kenya