​Overview – Samburu NR

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Samburu National Reserve is the most popular reserve in northern Kenya. Wildlife viewing is good, and most big safari animals are easily spotted. The arid environment is home to a variety of north Kenya specials, both birds and mammals. A village visit to a nearby Samburu homestead is a worthwhile activity.

 
View Photos (25)
Open Map
Best Time To Go June to September and January to February
High Season December to March and July to October (Busy)
Size 165km² / 64mi²
Altitude 842-1,064m / 2,762-3,491ft
+23 Photos

Pros & Cons

  • Very good wildlife viewing
  • Four of the Big Five are easily found (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

Samburu NR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

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 unusual-looking gerenuk.

Scenery

Samburu protects an area of semi-arid savannah extending from the lovely Ewaso Nyiro 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.

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. The hot, dry months of January and February are also good times for seeing wildlife. An exception is the birdlife, which is at its most vibrant and spectacular in the wetter months.

Want To Visit Samburu NR?

Samburu NR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Brian Jackman  –  
United Kingdom UK

Brian is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa.

Northern Kenya in a Nutshell
4/5

Set in the land of the Samburu people, this pocket-sized game reserve enables you to experience everything that is best about the burning semi-deserts of the NFD – the Northern Frontier District, as this wildly beautiful and mountainous...

Full Review

All 13 Expert Reviews
Latest User Review
Keith Westley  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Sep 28, 2023
5/5

Simply a great wildlife experience

Full Review

All 77 User Reviews Write a Review