Samburu National Reserve and its neighbours, Buffalo Springs and Shaba, lie in the semi-arid north of Kenya where the Ewaso Nyiro River draws wildlife from the surrounding bush. Doum palms line the riverbanks, red earth contrasts with blue sky and the atmosphere feels quite different from the south.
This is the place to see the “Samburu Special Five”: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. Elephant herds come down to the river to drink and bathe, leopard are seen regularly, and the Samburu people — close relatives of the Maasai — maintain a strong pastoral culture.
Highlights
- The Samburu Special Five
- Elephants bathing in the Ewaso Nyiro River
- Leopard sightings along the riverine forest
- Samburu cultural visits
Wildlife & what you'll see
- Grevy's zebra
- Reticulated giraffe
- Beisa oryx and gerenuk
- Somali ostrich
- Elephant, lion and leopard
Things to do
- Game drives
- Samburu village visit
- Riverside sundowners
- Guided walks (conservancies)
Best time to visit
June to October and December to March. Wildlife concentrates along the river in the dry months.
Getting there
Drive north from Nairobi past Mount Kenya (about 6 hours), or fly to Kalama or Buffalo Springs airstrips.
Experiences in Samburu
FAQs about Samburu
Is Samburu very hot?
Days are warm to hot, typically 30–35°C, with cooler evenings. Lodges have shade and pools, and game drives are timed for the cooler parts of the day.
