5 daysNairobi
5 Days Maasai mara, Lake Nakuru, samburu private lodge safari
5.0(95)Free cancellation
from$4,143
Photo: Panegyrics of Granovetter, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSamburu National Reserve
Northern Kenya
Samburu National Reserve lies in hot, semi desert country north of Mount Kenya, along the Ewaso Nyiro river. The river is a lifeline: elephants, lions, leopards and big herds come to drink, and the doum palms along its banks give Samburu a look unlike any park further south.
It is home to five species seldom seen elsewhere in Kenya, known as the Samburu special five. The reserve also sits beside Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves, and the Save the Elephants research centre works here.
The Samburu special five
| Animal | How to spot it |
|---|---|
| Grevy's zebra | Larger than plains zebras, with narrow stripes and round ears; endangered |
| Reticulated giraffe | A bold, net like pattern of orange patches with white lines |
| Gerenuk | A long necked antelope that stands on its hind legs to browse |
| Beisa oryx | Long, straight horns and a black and white face |
| Somali ostrich | Blue grey neck and legs, unlike the pink of the common ostrich |
More to see
- Elephants: Large herds use the river, and many are known individually by researchers.
- Big cats: Lions and leopards are regularly seen along the river; cheetahs on the open plains.
- Samburu culture: The Samburu people, related to the Maasai, live around the reserve; some camps offer village visits.
Getting there and combining
Samburu is about six hours by road from Nairobi, or about an hour by light aircraft. It pairs naturally with Ol Pejeta and the Laikipia conservancies on the way, about 2.5 hours apart. See our Samburu and Laikipia guide.
Tip: It's hot in the middle of the day: plan game drives early and late, and rest at camp at noon.
Practical information
| Fee | About US$85 a day (non resident adult) |
| Neighbours | Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves, each with its own fee |
| Climate | Hot and dry; rain mainly in April to May and November |
| By air | About an hour from Nairobi Wilson to the reserve airstrips |
| Research | Save the Elephants has worked here since the 1990s |
Who it suits
Samburu suits travellers who have done the Mara, or want something less crowded on a longer trip. Wildlife is concentrated along the river, so game viewing is good, but the reserve is remote and the heat at midday is intense. It is less suited to a very short trip because of the travel time from Nairobi, unless you fly.
Where it is
Multi-day tours that visit Samburu National Reserve
Every tour here includes Samburu National Reserve in its itinerary. Best rated first.
5 days
7 daysNairobi
7-Days Kenya Safari Samburu, Aberdare, Lake Nakuru, & Maasai Mara
4.9(82)Free cancellation
from$4,990
8 days
6 daysMaasai Mara National Reserve
Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara 6 Days Private 4x4 Jeep Safari
4.9(69)
from$5,980
3 days
13 daysCombine it with
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Samburu National Reserve: questions
What are the Samburu special five?
Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and Beisa oryx.
Is Samburu worth visiting?
Yes, for a different kind of safari from the Mara, especially on a longer trip or a second visit to Kenya.
How do I get to Samburu?
About six hours by road from Nairobi, or a short flight to one of the reserve's airstrips.