Samburu National Reserve

Samburu is the most popular reserve in northern Kenya. Wildlife viewing is excellent, and most big safari animals are easily spotted. Rhinos are absent, but elephants are very common, and usually relaxed. The arid environment is home to a variety of north Kenya specials – both birds and mammals. This makes Samburu a very worthwhile addition to a standard Kenyan safari. Saruni Samburu and Sasaab are very exclusive lodges in conservancies adjoining Samburu National Reserve.

In June 2017, local pastoralists moved into Samburu NR seeking new grazing ground for their cattle, which has disrupted wildlife viewing - see our Malaria & Safety page for more information.

Size: help

165km² / 64mi²

Altitude: help

845-1,236m / 2,772-4,055ft

Pros and Cons

• Excellent wildlife viewing with four of the Big Five easy to find (rhino excluded)
• Interesting mammal species restricted to the arid north
• Beautiful barren scenery
• Excellent birding with many dry-country specials
• A good range of accommodation catering to different budgets

• Very hot and dry

Wildlife

Samburu offers great wildlife viewing and four of the Big Five are present. Rhinos are absent, but big herds of elephant cross the reserve. Of the big cats, leopards are very rewarding with some habituated individuals giving high-quality sightings. Most interesting are the northern Kenya specials including Beisa oryx, lesser kudu, Reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra and the odd-looking gerenuk.
More about Samburu's wildlife

Scenery

Samburu protects an area of semi-arid savannah extending from the lovely Ewaso Nyero River. The reserve is made up of riverine forest along the water and dry acacia scrub peppered with termite mounds. Koitogor Hill marks the middle of the reserve. Two community conservancies – Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy and West Gate Community Conservancy adjoin the reserve.

Want to visit Samburu?

• Safaris & Tours visiting Samburu
• Tour Operators catering Samburu