Samburu National Reserve lies in the semi-arid north of Kenya, where the Ewaso Ng’iro River cuts through a dramatic landscape of red earth, doum palms and distant mountains. It offers a very different safari from the southern parks, with rare northern wildlife and the rich culture of the Samburu people.
The Samburu Special Five
Samburu is home to species that are hard to find elsewhere in Kenya. Known as the “Samburu Special Five”, they are the Grevy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe, the Beisa oryx, the long-necked gerenuk and the Somali ostrich. The reserve also has elephants, lions, leopards and cheetahs, as well as abundant birdlife along the river.
The Ewaso Ng’iro River
The Ewaso Ng’iro is the lifeline of Samburu and the neighbouring Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves. In the dry season, elephants, buffalo and many other animals come to the river to drink and bathe, making riverside game drives especially rewarding.
Samburu culture
The Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists closely related to the Maasai, known for their colourful beadwork and traditions. A cultural visit offers a respectful insight into their way of life and adds another dimension to your safari.
Things to do in Samburu
- Game drives in search of the Samburu Special Five
- Riverside wildlife viewing along the Ewaso Ng’iro
- Cultural visits to Samburu communities
- Bird watching and photography
Best time to visit
Samburu is good to visit year-round, with the best game viewing in the dry months from June to October and from December to March, when wildlife gathers near the river.
Getting there
Samburu is about five to six hours by road north of Nairobi, passing the slopes of Mount Kenya, or a short scheduled flight from Nairobi.
Plan your Samburu safari
Choose a three, four or five-day Samburu safari with Atzum Adventures and discover Kenya’s wild north at a relaxed pace.
