Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve: Background Info

Although most people call it ‘Samburu’, we actually mean three splendid National Reserves which are connected and form one big wilderness reserve: Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. Samburu offers fantastic game viewing and is a 4x4 self-drive safari heaven, as there are hundreds of off-road dirt roads tracks. Some follow the riverbanks; others wander off to the nearby hills. Samburu is famous for leopard sightings. Located in the North of Laikipia, one of the less-visited regions in Kenya, this reserve promises an authentic wilderness experience

Samburu National Reserve: Destination Preview

The Experience: Samburu National Reserve

Lying on the edge of northern Kenya's arid savannahs, the Samburu National Reserve is a destination that will appeal as much to the safari first-timer as it will to the veteran. The most rewarding of the three national reserves that cluster around the life-giving Ewaso Ngiro River (the other two are Shaba and Buffalo Springs), Samburu's game viewing is famously first-class and there are adventure activities and fascinating cultural interactions too.

Samburu's savannahs and forests make for diverse big game country. Home to all the big cats, it's especially good for leopard as well as providing a haven for super-rare wild dogs and large numbers of elephants. The 450 bird species will delight birders while it's also the best destination for wildlife enthusiasts who want to see unusual animals that don't occur in Kenya's more well-known reserves. Top of the list are the 'Samburu Big 5' - Grevy's zebra; the long-necked gerenuk; reticulated giraffe; besia oryx; and Somali ostrich.

Wildlife

Samburu is home to the rare northern special five species, or as local guides call them the “Samburu Five”: the Grevy zebra, Somali ostrich, Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk and the Beisa oryx. These five can't be found in any other Kenya National Park. Samburu is also famous for its residing leopards. Roadtrip Kenya highly recommends going with an experienced ranger, who knows their whereabouts. A ranger can be picked up from any of the entrance gates.

The culture of the Samburu people has remained relatively undisturbed by the modern world and they are proud to share their customs and knowledge with visitors. The Samburu people were drawn to this area due to the reliability of the Ewaso Nyiro river that provides water for their herds. Likewise, the river also provides for the livelihood of the wildlife that roam this reserve.

Birdlife

There have been more than 390 bird species recorded in Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. The reserves protect a variety of habitats, including arid acacia savannah, scrub and gallery forest alongside the Ewaso 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.

Samburu is a bird-watcher’s delight all year. Many unusual dry-country specials reside here and can be spotted year-round. Migratory birds arrive into the reserve from November to April. One important consideration is the weather, as heavy showers can mess up your birding plans. November and April receive the most rainfall.