Samburu National Reserve lies in Kenya's hot, dry north, along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, and it offers a different safari from the Mara or Amboseli. The landscape is semi-desert and acacia scrub, and the wildlife includes rare northern species you will not find in southern Kenya: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx and gerenuk, known locally as the Samburu Special Five.
The river draws elephants, lions, leopards and crocodiles, and the elephant herds are well known to researchers. Leopards often rest in the riverine trees, and you may find lions on the banks. Samburu people live around the reserve and share their culture with visitors.
The reserve is small, quiet and good for four or five days alongside Buffalo Springs and Shaba, and combines well with Laikipia and Meru.
The Samburu Special Five are the main attraction, together with elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and cheetah. The river banks hold big crocodiles and hippo, and the dry plains have Grant’s gazelle, impala, dik-dik, and oryx. Hyaena and jackal are common, and the elephants come to drink in the afternoon.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
The Ewaso Nyiro flows through a dry landscape of red earth, doum palms and acacia, with the rugged Koitogor and Mathews ranges on the horizon. The river is a green ribbon that draws wildlife and stands out against the dust.
Activities here
Samburu is hot and dry, with daytime temperatures of 30°C to 34°C and warm nights. Rain falls mostly in April and November, and the reserve is one of the driest places we visit in Kenya.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 20 | 20 |
| Feb | 34 | 21 | 20 |
| Mar | 34 | 21 | 50 |
| Apr | 32 | 21 | 130 |
| May | 31 | 20 | 70 |
| Jun | 31 | 19 | 15 |
| Jul | 30 | 18 | 15 |
| Aug | 31 | 18 | 20 |
| Sep | 33 | 19 | 20 |
| Oct | 33 | 20 | 60 |
| Nov | 31 | 20 | 110 |
| Dec | 32 | 20 | 40 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to October and January to March are dry and hot, with animals gathered along the river. Mornings are the best time for game drives.
April and November bring short storms that green the landscape and fill the dry riverbeds. The roads can be muddy for a day or two, and the birds are spectacular.
June to October and January to March are the best months for game viewing. Samburu is hot all year, so we plan early starts and a rest at midday.
Best time to visit Jun to Oct
Samburu is about 350 kilometres from Nairobi, a drive of six to seven hours. Most guests fly from Wilson Airport in about an hour to the Samburu airstrip. It links by air with Laikipia, Lewa and the Mara.
Reserve fees are included in our safaris. Most visitors need a Kenya eTA arranged online before travel, and a passport valid for at least six months.
Samburu is hot and remote, so drink plenty of water and wear a hat. Medical evacuation is by air. Please take advice on malaria before you travel.
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“Our take”
Samburu is the easiest way to add a completely different landscape to a Mara trip. Allow at least two nights, and ask for a camp on the river if elephants are your priority.
Safaris from
US$2,256 per person
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