Samburu National Reserve

Pros & Cons

• Great wildlife viewing with four of the Big Five relatively 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.

Weather & Climate

When it comes to temperature, hot is the best way to describe Samburu. That said, the average temperature more than halves at night – rug up if you’re heading out on safari when the sun isn’t high in the sky. The Dry season (June to September) lives up to its name, with almost no rain. Similarly, the Wet season (October to May) gives the landscape a regular wash.

• More about the weather and climate

Best Time to Visit

Dust hangs in the air in the Dry season (June to September), giving the landscape a hazy look. But this is definitely the best time to check out the local wildlife due to decent road conditions and little vegetation to obscure your view. An exception is the birdlife, which is at its most vibrant and spectacular in the wetter months.

• More about the best time to visit

Want to Visit Samburu NR?

• Samburu safaris and tours
• Tour operators for Samburu