Samburu National Reserve is a famous safari destination in the entire East Africa, Samburu National Reserve is situated in Northern Kenya and is known as a premier game reserve situated on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro river, this vast expanse of the remote pristine wilderness measures 165 square kilometres in area and borders the Ewaso Ng’iro River to the south, which separates it from the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. It is such a unique wildlife safari conservation haven famous for abundance of the rare or the northern animal species such as the Grevy zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, minus that the reserve is a home to a population of close to 900 elephants, also the large predators in the reserve includes the lion, leopard, cheetah these are important attraction (Kamunyak the famous lioness that adapted a baby Oryx is a resident in the reserve). Wild dog sightings are also common attraction in the reserve, also the birdlife is abundant with over 450 recorded bird species.

Samburu National reserve is a wildlife eco system that comprises a number of conservancies and group ranches bordering the main reserve like Kalama conservancy, West Gate Community Conservancy and Kamunyak wildlife Conservancy, the Samburu National Reserve is consired as the prominent reserve not just only in Kenya but also in the entire Africa

Attractions

Shaba National Reserve.

Shaba National Reserve is a protected area in the northern Kenya to the east of the Samburu and Buffalo springs national reserve, together the three reserves form a large protected area. The Shaba reserve has dramatic scenery including river-side forests, scattered woodlands and dry grasslands dominated by the Shaba Hill Volcano, the plentiful wildlife relies on waterholes and marshes scattered throughout the reserve. Shaba reserve is a home to the endangered Grevy’s zebra and the rare William’s lark, this is a great attraction

The Samburu special Five.

The Samburu Special Five are the highlight tourist attraction in Samburu National Reserve, these species are cousins to the world-famous Big 5 and they are the reason to why most tourists visit the reserve. The Samburu Special Five are endemic animals to the Samburu ecosystem and they include the reticulated giraffe, the Somali Ostrich, the gerenuk, the Beisa Oryx and the Grevy’s zebra.

The Samburu People.

The Samburu people are one of the tourist attractions in Samburu National Reserve. Samburu people are the early inhabitants of the area presently known as the Samburu national reserve, these people used to graze their animals in the savannah plains in the reserve. Samburu people are Nilotic people and semi-nomadic pastoralists who had livestock mainly cattle as a way of life, they also rear the sheep, goats and camels.

The Samburu people are a great safari attraction that one should not miss during your Kenya safari in Samburu national reserve, these people are similar to the Maasai people and they are one of the few groups of people in the world with their culture, traditions and norms unattached/destroyed by technology.

 The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is situated in the neighbouring Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, is one of the Kenya’s first community-run wildlife organisations, the sanctuary and animal keepers are committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and rewilding orphaned and abandoned elephant’s calves as well as other wildlife. This elephant orphanage is definitely worth to visit when you reach in Samburu National Reserve.

Wildlife.        

Samburu National reserve is a haven to a variety of wildlife safari minus the special five, the reserve has got  various animal species  such as elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs greater and lesser kudu and others. Samburu National Reserve is one of the great destinations to visit in Samburu national reserve for game viewing safari  in Kenya, and at the same time wildlife in Samburu National Reserve can be spotted due to less vegetation cover in the park especially along of Ewaso Ng’iro River which is the only permanent water source in the region.

Birds.

In Samburu National Reserve is one of good birding safari destination in Kenya with over 390 species and these birds includes the endemic species, resident and migratory birds. Bird species in Samburu National Reserve includes the Acacia tit, Bare-eyed thrust, African palm swift, Ashy cisticola, Black –belied sunbird, black-capped social weaver, Brown-tailed rock chat, Chestnut-headed sparrow lark, Chestnut weaver and among many others these attract the tourists in the reserve.

Activities

Game Driving.

The game driving is the best safari activity in the northern region of Kenya that is conducted on various marked trails running through the semi-arid land scape of the park and from the comfort of your safari vehicle with open windows and you get to spot the Samburu Special Five that includes the reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx  and a variety  a number of animals such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, Nile crocodiles and the Samburu special five and among others.

The best sight for game viewing in Samburu National Reserve is at the banks of the Ewaso Ng’ro River which is the main water source in the area and it is frequently visited by lots of animals to drink and cool off in the water, the best time for game viewing in Samburu National Reserve is during the dry season that is experienced from the months of June to October and December to March.

Bird watching.

Samburu national reserve is a prime birding destination in Kenya perfect for birder who to have an exciting Kenya birding experience, the park hosts more than 390 bird species inhabiting in the variety of habitants scattered around the reserve that is acacia savannah and the gallery forests alongside the Ewaso Nyiro river, Samburu offers rewarding birding opportunities as it boasts a number of north east African-country species which are share with Ethiopia and Somalia. The bird species that can be spotted on a birding safari to the reserve includes the African palm swift, Chestnut-headed sparrow lark, Brown-tailed rock chat, Fischer’s starling, Golden pipit, Greater kestrel, Grey wren-warbler, Hunter’s sunbird, Lanner falcon, Mariqua sunbird, red-bellied parrot, Red-necked falcon, Singing bush lark, Somali bee-eater, Somali ostrich, spotted palm-thrush, secretary bird, Vulturine guineafowl and many others. The best time to do bird watching safari in Samburu National Reserve is during the period of November to April that’s the period when the migratory bird species reach in the reserve.

Nature walks.

It is amazing Kenya destination for the nature walks, the reserve has got the semi-arid landscape that is crossed by the Ewaso Ng’iro river the permanent source of water in the area, the nature walks are mainly conducted along the banks of the river where you will see animals like the crocodiles, hippos, elephants and a variety of the bird species, while on foot and the presence of the experienced guide and an armed ranger for security purposes, and this is done following the variously trails running through the reserve.

Cultural encounters.

These are the Samburu people that the tourists should not miss out during the cultural encounters safari in Samburu National Reserve, the Samburu are Nilotic people and semi-nomadic pastoralists that depends on herding cattle, sheep, goats, camels as their way of life. These people live in the communities along the boundaries of the reserve and they are visited for a cultural experience. The Samburu people’s diet is mostly mild and blood they get from their cows, they Samburu settlements are called manyatts/huts constructed using hide, mud, grass mats strung over the poles. While visiting the Samburu people, you will be entertained by the cultural dances and songs, witness the circumcision ceremony and traditional marriage, the Samburu culture and traditions once boy has been circumcised he is now considered a moran (worrior).

Entry fees of Samburu National Reserve.

 Best time to visit Samburu National Reserve

For Kenya wildlife viewing safari, the best time to visit the Samburu National Reserve is during the dry season, between June and October, and December and March. With  the drying vegetation, it’s easier to spot animal species that gather around the water holes, during the wet season, with its abundant water supply, animals rarely have to go for in search of water  and the long grass makes it harder to spot them.

Although it is is considered a year-round birding safari destination, the best time for bird-watching is from November to April, during the period, several migratory birds find their way into the reserve. Heavy rainfall takes place during these months which must be considered when considering a safari to the reserve.

Where to stay in Samburu National Reserve.

There is a variety of accommodation facilitates to stay during your Kenya safari in Samburu National Reserve and they include the lodges, hotels, tented camps, permanent campsites, special campsites and public campsites as they are categorised into luxury, mid-range and budget for example the Samburu Game lodge, Samburu Sopa, Samburu Larsen’s Camp, Saruni Samburu Lodge, Samburu Intrepid, Elephant Bedroom, Lion King Safari campsite, Grevy campsite and many more in the Samburu National Reserve.

How to access Samburu National Reserve.

It can be accessed by both Road and air/flight means from Nairobi to the park. It is located approximately 355 kilometres north of Nairobi the capital city of Kenya, as a tourist to  a Kenya safari you can get to the reserve by road, this is where the drive of approximately 6 hours from Nairobi. And the flight means the domestic chartered flights are offered from Wilson airstrip in Nairobi to Samburu airstrip.