One of the most outstanding and popular tourist destinations within the East African region, Samburu National Reserve is on every safari-lover’s bucket list. The Reserve covers an area of 165 square kilometers and was also home to Kamunyak, the lioness that is popular for adopting and protecting Oryx caves even to the point of fighting-off predators.
Location
This stunning National Reserve is situated within the south-eastern corner of Samburu District, in Northern Kenya and is a premier Protected Area on the banks of Ewaso Ng’iro River. On the opposite side of this River is the dazzling Buffalo Springs National Reserve and flows in the middle of the Reserve, through doum palm groves as well as dense riverine forests. This Protected Area is geographically located in Samburu County, approximately 350 kilometers from the City of Nairobi and sits on an area of between 800 and 1230 meters above sea level.
History of Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve was established in 1985 stood out as one of the two areas where Nature conservationists George and Joy Adamson brought-up Elsa the lioness. This Lioness was made popular in the best-selling book and award-winning movie-“Born Free”.
Climate of Samburu National Reserve.
Samburu National Reserve lies within the ecological zone V, which is described as arid or semi-arid. The area has a moisture index of 42 to 57, hence implying that the rate of evapo-transpiration is higher than the available moisture. Days here are very hot while nights are generally cool.
Mean temperatures range from 18˚C to 30˚C per year and the average rainfall is 354 millimeters per annum with peaks being in the months of April and November.
ATTRACTIONS WITHIN SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE.
Wildlife
A number of exceptional wildlife species are spotted at Samburu National Reserve, including the giants that are common to the country’s northern savannah plains. Expect to see all the three big cats, antelopes and many others. Large herds of African bush elephants totaling to over 900 individuals, striped hyenas, Grevy’s Zebras, Aardvarks, Cape buffaloes, long-necked Gerenuk, Kirk’s Dik-dik, Cheetahs, warthogs, Beisa Oryx, Defassa waterbucks, Olive baboons, African wild dogs, Reticulated giraffes, African lions, Black rhinoceros, Hippos, spotted hyenas, African leopards, Cheetahs, Hippopotamus, warthogs, common elands, bushbucks and many others. Ewaso Ng’iro River shelters high concentration of Nile crocodiles.
When you visit this park, learn about Kamunyak, a popular Lioness that raised and fought for Oryx calves.
Birds.
More than 450 species of birds call Samburu National Reserve home and some of them include the Somali Ostriches, Yellow-billed Ox-peckers, Palm-nut vultures, African darters, Marabou storks, secretary birds, grey-headed kingfishers, the white-headed vultures, yellow-necked spur fowl, lesser kestrel, Superb starling, yellow-billed hornbills, Verreaux’s eagles, Taita falcon, Vulturine Guinea fowls, Tawny eagles, Bateleur, Martial Eagles, Northern red-billed hornbills, Great Egrets, Lilac-breasted rollers and many others.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES IN SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE.
Game viewing
Safari game drives are conducted by vehicle and lead into the spectacular wildlife areas of Samburu National Reserve. They are perfect in the early mornings as well as late afternoons and last 2-3 hours although full day game drives with picnic Lunch are also offered.
You have the full guarantee of coming close to elephants, Cape buffaloes, lions, Defassa waterbucks, Olive baboons, and African wild dogs, reticulated giraffes, African lions, Black rhinoceros, Hippos, spotted hyenas, African leopards, Cheetahs, Hippopotamus, warthogs and many other species.
Bird watching
With over 450 species of birds, Samburu National Reserve is undeniably a fantastic birding destination in Kenya, with views of Yellow-billed Ox-peckers, Palmnut vultures, African darters, Marabou storks, secretary birds, grey-headed kingfishers, the white-headed vultures, yellow-necked spurfowl, lesser kestrel, Superb starling, yellow-billed hornbills and many others.
Walking safaris / guided bush walks
At Samburu National Reserve, visitors have the exceptional opportunity of exploring the vast and stunning arid region on foot. Short and long treks/walking safaris are offered in this Reserve and is conducted throughout the year.
Thrilling biking tours
Biking tours are also unmissable within Samburu National Reserve and are conducted all year round.
Camel Trekking safaris
Samburu National Reserve is one of the few places in East Africa where Camel Trekking safaris are offered. Exploring Kenya’s raw wilderness on a camel is one of the most rewarding and fun-filled experiences on a safari, in addition to allowing guests to get up-close with savannah-dwelling wildlife species such as the reticulated giraffes, Defassa waterbucks, Zebras, elephants and buffaloes. While on this activity, you will ride through some of the remotest and jaw-dropping land in Northern Kenya, in the company of Samburu Tribesmen and Camels.
Hot air balloon safaris
An extraordinary and honeymooning experience, Hot air balloon safaris allow visitors to enjoy bird eye views over Samburu National Reserve. Watch over the picturesque landscapes and wildlife species of this safari destination during your Kenya safari.
Bush meals and sundowners
Most Safari Lodges and Tented Camps in Samburu National Reserve allow guests to enjoy bush meals, sundowners and romantic candlelit dinner in the wilderness of this Park. Corporate groups, families and solo travelers can enjoy this experience during trips to Samburu National Park, with frequent visits from some of the park’s common wildlife residents.
Tours of local Samburu Tribal Villages
Get a taste of thrilling local culture and traditions by touring local Samburu Tribal Villages, where you will interact with Samburu people, enjoy their mouth-watering cuisines, purchase some of their local handcrafts, take part in their traditional dance performances and many other activities.
These people are authentic and retained their culture and traditions as they lived, greatly unaffected by modern-day civilization. These excursions are usually incorporated into the extended Samburu safaris to include game viewing, walking safaris and many others.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE.
Besides these attractions, another top reason to visit Samburu National Reserve is exquisite places to stay, ranging from budget to luxury options. These places offer luxurious and cozy experiences of a lifetime and they include;
Sasaab Camp
The Sasaab Camp is a Moroccan-inspired Tented Camp set within the heart of Samburu National Reserve and overlooking the beautiful Laikipia Plateau as well as the stunning peak of Mount Kenya. This luxurious Camp features 9 individual cottages with vast open-air bathrooms, large beds, spacious verandas and private plunge pools for unwinding. The Camp’s main swimming pool is built into the hillside.
Saruni Samburu
Saruni Samburu is an extraordinary Lodge offering dramatic views over untouched wilderness within the country’s raw Northern region. Its 6 luxury villas are beautiful and spacious, and on a clear day enjoy views of Mount. Kenya. Visitors here can enjoy Italian-inspired dishes, views of the wilderness from the lounge and dining area.
Elephant Bedroom Camp
Elephant is another exceptional accommodation facility in Samburu National Reserve, on the banks of Ewaso Ng’iro River and rewards guests with raw African safari experience. It has spacious Tents on wooden decks, equipped with private outdoor plunge pools and fringed by beautiful doum palms. Expect daily visits of elephants, buffaloes, lions, Hippos and leopards while staying at this Tented Camp.
Larsens Tented Camp
Larsens Tented Camp opened its doors to visitors in 1987 and sits within a gated compound. Its cozy accommodation under shady trees, main restaurant, bar, crystal-clear swimming pool, lounge area and wooden deck for outdoor dining make this facility an experience worth enjoying. It has 20 Tented rooms each named after a different bird, 8 of which are on the right side of the main area while the remaining 12 on the left.
Samburu Intrepid Camp
Samburu Intrepid Camp is a stupendous Tented Camp on the banks of Ewaso Ng’iro River and set on raised wooden decks overlooking this beautiful River, visited by elephants and Nile crocodiles.
Samburu Simba Lodge
Samburu Simba Lodge is a relatively new Safari Lodge set within Buffalo Springs National Reserve, which is part of the extensive Samburu system. It offers 80 en-suite rooms as well as 18 cottages. There are also inter-connecting rooms in addition to dinning and lounge area, conference facility, outdoor swimming pool and many others. Visitors to this accommodation facility are treated to up-close and personal African experience like no other.
Other accommodation facilities in or near Samburu National Reserve include Samburu Game Lodge, Saruni Rhino, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, Sentrim Samburu Camp and Samburu Sopa Lodge among others.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Samburu National Reserve can be visited throughout the year. Dry season begins from late-May to early October and large numbers of wildlife species are found along the banks of Ewaso Ng’iro River because of the availability of verdant vegetation. Therefore, it is advisable to visit Samburu reserve during dry season.
GETTING TO SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Samburu National Park is situated within the Northern region of Kenya, about 350 kilometers north of Nairobi City. There are two major ways of reaching this park from the Capital and it’s either by air or road.
Daily scheduled flights take about one and a half hours from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to several airstrips serving this park.
For road transport, trips last between 5 and 6 hours, and involve using different routes. If you are starting your journey from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you can use the Eastern Bypass connecting to Thika superhighway at Ruiru road junction then straight to Archer’s gate.
