Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve Wildlife Safari

Samburu National Reserve is one of the most beautiful safari places in Kenya, situated in the arid northern part of Kenya along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Not as big and famous as the Masai Mara, Samburu is still a great place to have a unique wildlife safari experience characterised by rare animals, rugged terrain and a remarkable mix of wildlife and culture.

Its arid, arid terrain is in contrast with the green savannas in the south of Kenya, making it a well-kept secret among people who want a Kenya safari experience that is off the beaten path. Samburu is renowned especially with the Samburu Special Five- a group of rare animals that are not easily found in other parks in East Africa.

Samburu Special Five

The Special Five, which consists of the Grevy zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and gerenuk (giraffe antelope), are some of the main wildlife attractions in Samburu National Reserve that wildlife enthusiasts want to see. These are species that flourish in the dry environment of Samburu and are scarcely seen in the southern reserves of Kenya.

An example is the Grevy zebra, whose stripes are very slim, and they have large ears and are endangered and Samburu is one of the few areas where they still survive. A popular Samburu safari moment is a gerenuk that stands on its hind legs to feed on shrubs.

Other Wildlife in Samburu

Although the Special Five makes Samburu special, the reserve is also home to Kenya’s more famous Big Five and a range of other animals. Elephants are also very common, whereby big groups can be seen cooling down in the Ewaso Nyiro River. It is common to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as hyenas and wild dogs. The reserve also features buffalo, hippos, impalas, dik-diks and waterbucks.

Birdwatching is also a highlight with more than 450 species having been recorded, including vulturine guineafowl, secretary birds, and kori bustards. The rare species, coupled with the traditional safari animals, make the game drive in Samburu both unexpected and satisfying.

The Ewaso Nyiro River

Samburu National Reserve is sustained by the Ewaso Nyiro River. Passing through the dry scenery, it sustains wild animals and plants, and so, it is the hub of safari activity. Game drives in most parks are along the banks of the river, where the elephants plunge into the sand to find water and where predators hunt their prey as they come to drink.

Crocodiles and hippos are commonly found in the deeper pools, and the lush riverine forests provide shade to leopards and birdlife. This juxtaposition of lush green river corridor and the arid plains is a dramatic landscape in which to take photographs and to see wildlife.

Cultural Encounter with the Samburu people

A safari in Samburu is not all about wildlife but rather culture. The Samburu are a subgroup of the Maasai, and they live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, keeping cows, camels and goats. The visitor is usually afforded an opportunity to visit a Samburu manyatta (village) where they can get to know about traditional dressing, warrior dancing and pastoralist cultures. These cultural interactions bring richness into a safari, enabling the tourists to relate with the people who share the same land as the wildlife.

Safari Activities in Samburu

The most demanded program is the game drive, a classical program, which is provided in the morning and in the evening when animals are most active. Guided walking safaris are also possible in conservancies that surround the reserve, allowing another, more intimate means of travelling through the dry bush.

Birdwatchers are in paradise, photographers love the dramatic light, open landscapes, and rare species. Another special experience in the semi-desert environment is the camel safaris, which are conducted by Samburu warriors. To have an even more cultural experience, most lodges organise tours to Samburu villages.

Best Time to Visit Samburu

Samburu can be visited all year round, but the best time to view the game is during the dry seasons, June to October and December to March. These are months when animals flock around the river, and hence they are easily sighted. The wet periods, April to May and November, are a time of fresh greenness and are very good bird-watching periods, but some roads can be more challenging. Unlike parks in southern Kenya that are sometimes crowded, Samburu is relatively quiet throughout the year and allows the visitor a more intimate safari.

Lodgings in Samburu National Reserve

Samburu has a variety of accommodations, including budget camps to luxury safari lodges. Lodges such as Samburu Intrepids, Elephant Bedroom Camp and Ashnil Samburu are favoured due to their riverfront positions and great game viewing right on the verandah.

Tented camps offer the comfort and luxury of staying in a tented camp with exclusivity and wilderness experience to the travellers. There are budget alternatives outside the reserve as well, which offer low prices without compromising the Kenya safari experience. Guided game drives by experienced rangers are organised by most lodges, to give visitors maximum out of their stay.

Travelling to Samburu National Reserve

Samburu is accessible by road or air. Travellers can use the Road. The reserve can be reached in a 6-7 hour drive through scenic highlands and down the arid north of Nairobi. The trip is a long one, but it gives a glimpse of the diverse landscapes. Alternatively, charter and scheduled flights depart and arrive at the Wilson airport in Nairobi at the airstrips within the reserve, reducing the travel time to approximately 1.5 hours. Samburu can also be combined with other northern circuit destinations, including Buffalo Springs Reserve, Shaba Reserve, and Laikipia conservancies.

Why Visit Samburu on a Safari

Samburu National Reserve is suited to those travellers who want to enjoy a safari beyond the normal tourist routes. It is not as busy as the Masai Mara but equally rewarding as it provides rare wildlife, spectacular scenery and genuine cultural experiences. Samburu will be an attraction to photographers, birders, and adventurous safari-goers. Its exclusivity and the fact that it has rare and iconic animals make it one of the best-kept secrets in Kenya as a safari destination.

Conclusion

A safari in the Samburu National Reserve is an experience into another world of Kenya; a mixture of wilderness, culture, and rare species in a landscape of awe-inspiring beauty. The Samburu Special Five, vast herds of elephants and predator activity along the Ewaso Nyiro River make the reserve an unforgettable and unique Kenya safari experience. Samburu is a great destination combining wildlife and cultural experience for those travellers who want to have an off-the-beaten-path experience.