Samburu National Reserve

Just that bit different and special.

We are travelling back to Samburu in January 2016, for our 7th visit, which has to say something about the reserve. We have spent time in the Masai Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli, Tsavo all of which are beautiful and have been privileged to witness some amazing game viewing, but for me Samburu has a special place in my heart and I feel as if I am 'home'. It probably has a lot to do with the number of elephants and the close encounters we have experienced in their company, but Samburu is special and totally different to all the other reserves, mentioned above, that we have visited.

Magical

Samburu will always be a very special place for me. The scenery especially after rain is especially colourful. There are many many species of animals and it is home to the gerenuk antelope unlikely to be seen any where else in the wild. Samburu also has an amazing variety of bird species. I have been there a few times now and have photographed the bateleur eagle,pygmy, kingfishers, hawks and several species of bee eaters on many of my visits. Also home to a large number of elephant families one is able to observe up close.
Samburu is always warm and the staff very welcoming. I have loved every moment spent there and I know I will go there again.

Visiting Samburu is a must everytimes I visit Kenya

The Samburu National Reserve is one of the best Safari destinations in Kenya. The wildlife is excellent, the landscape adorable and Food and accomodation was everytimes perfect. Samburu is a dry and hot place and a lot of animals are concentrating around Uaso Nyiero River.
Very good Location for ornithologists.

A truly unforgettable experience

I never imagined it was possible to get so close to wild animals! Elephants were crossing the road right in front of our vehicle, a leopard was enjoying a meal of an impala under an acacia tree, a cheetah was taking a siesta in the bush right by the side of the road and a lioness was taking her three young cubs for an afternoon stroll. There were reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, dik dik, oryx, and lots and lots of birds! Our guide knew all about these animals, and also knew just where to find them. We stayed at the Samburu Game Lodge, which was very charming, if a bit run down. The food was mediocre, but there were several vegetarian selections, so no one went hungry. Samburu is hot, so bring light clothing, sunscreen and bug spray, and prepare to be amazed!

Fanstastic experience which exceeded our expectations.

My wife, 14 year old son and I stayed at Samburu Intrepids camp and were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived to the moment we boarded our safari plane to leave. I cannot think of anything we didn't like about the camp. We had a safari jeep and a guide, whose name was Jelly, all to ourselves. Jelly was excellent and went out of his way to find the animals for us. Before every game drive he would ask if there was any particular animal we wanted to see and he never failed to find the animals we mentioned. The scenery was beautiful with hills and escarpments and the wildlife was plentiful but we often felt like we were the only people on safari there. Usually only when there was a 'special' sighting would we see other safari vehicles and we sometimes had these special sightings all to ourselves. Like the time we watched 3 cheetahs from the same family behaving aggresively towards another lone cheetach, a video of which is on YouTube. I have rated every aspect of the safari as 5 stars apart from the wildlife which I gave 4 and that is only because we also went to the Masai Mara where the wildlife was even more plentiful.

Varied, remote country from rugged hills via dusty slopes down to the river. Flora & fauna to match.

Samburu has varied country from the rocky hills, through the dry and dusty slopes down to the Ewaso Ng'iro river. The fauna and flora were equally varied but there was evidence of stress from the changing climate. Samburu had suffered from drought and then, around the river, serious floods.
Our trip was just off-season so the park had few vehicles and the lodge had few guests. We saw big game (lion, cheetah, elephant etc) and numerous smaller animals. Although some trees had died, there were signs of recovery and those in flower were beautiful. The clear air meant it was easy to see birds.
The park is remote, from an outsider's point of view. We reached it by plane from Nairobi Wilson to Samburu airport and were picked up by a Samburu Lodge vehicle. So the first game drive was on the way to the Lodge! The guide was excellent. Later, we witnessed the aftermath of a kill, returning several times to see the animals and birds that turned up at different times.
The accommodation was excellent; food and service couldn't be faulted.

Hidden Secret

Samburu and ist sister Buffalo Springs are bit off the big tourist stream.
Maybe they a bit far in the north or the klimate is considered as too hot. I do not know.
There are a number of good reasons to stay there for some days just discovering and ejoying nature.
Both parks are divided by the Ewaso Ngiro river which is the only contant source of water in this dry area. Just spot a long the river a wait till the animals are coming for drink or bath. The elephants aren't shy and from a certain distance their interesting social behaviour can be observated. Further, the beauty retuculated giraffe, beisa oryx antelopes, the blue leged somali ostrich, the big grevy zebra and the gerenuk (long necke iraffe antelope) can be seen, but not to be found in the southern more popular parks. Samburu is a good place for spotting leopards (7 times in 4 days including a mother with a cub). Also Lions are in area. Further wildlife is al around just stop, be quiet, take time and enjoy.
Ony a few lodges and camps can be found in Samburu. It appears as a bit a remote place.
I am looking for wildlife and not so much interested in stars or whatever ratings of the lodges. There might be more exclusive and luxurious places.
The park is operated by the local Samburu community and was in 2009 in a good shape. Unlike other parks, no cattle was found grazing within the park. The staff was always friendly and helpful.

Far north

Beautiful wildlife, some rare species that can’t be seen in other parks.

Fantastic variety of animals and scenery