Nestled in the arid northern region of Kenya, Samburu National Reserve is a captivating gem. Known for its rugged beauty and distinctive wildlife, Samburu is a haven for species rarely seen elsewhere, such as the Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, and the reticulated giraffe. The Ewaso Ng'iro River runs through the reserve, drawing a vibrant array of animals, including elephants and lions. The reserve’s landscapes are both stark and stunning, with its dramatic hills and acacia-dotted plains providing a striking backdrop for a safari adventure.
Samburu’s wildlife
The reserve is rich in wildlife, with an abundance of rare northern specialist species such as the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa oryx (also referred to as Samburu Special Five). The reserve is also home to elephants and large predators such as the lion, leopard and cheetah. Kamunyak, the miracle lioness who adopted the baby oryx, was as a resident in the reserve. Wild dog sightings are also a common attraction to this unique protected area.
A daily highlight of the area’s dry season is the visits to watering holes called ‘Sarara Singing Wells’ by Samburu warriors. The warriors descend into the holes, which can be up to 10 meters deep. They then pass water hand-to-hand to the waiting cattle while chanting their traditional Samburu songs.
Birdlife is abundant, with over 450 species recorded. The Samburu ecosystem of vegetation in this arid region supports a very wide range of smaller birds. You’re not likely to miss the big flocks of vividly plumaged helmeted and vulturine guinea fowl, while among the many birds of prey, the pygmy falcon and martial eagle from opposite ends of the raptor spectrum are both easily seen, as are Kori, Heuglin’s and buff-crested bustards, and lots of weavers, shrikes, woodpeckers, and flycatchers, as well as the distinctive, blue-skinned Somali ostrich, which you’ll see stepping out across the plains.
Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Nairobi to Samburu
Your driver guide will pick you up at the airport or your hotel in Nairobi. After a meet and greet, he will escort you to your car and commence the drive to Samburu National Reserve, arriving for lunch at the camp. After check in and lunch, you will go for an afternoon game drive or an optional visit to a local Samburu village at 16:00 and return to the lodge before dusk for dinner and an overnight stay at Lion’s Cave Camp Samburu.
Day 2: Full day Game drives in Samburu National Reserve
After early breakfast at the camp at 7 a.m., join your safari driver guide and depart for a full-day game viewing drive with picnic lunch boxes to Samburu National Reserve, famous for its truly wild semi-arid landscape and the large concentration of wild animals and birdlife.
Together with the adjoining Shaba and Buffalo Springs national reserves, Samburu is popular for hosting the rare Northern-Kenya animal species (Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa Oryx and Somali Ostrich) which are not found in the other popular parks and reserves in Kenya. It is also home to all the African big cats (lion, cheetah, and leopard), alongside other big game including elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, hippos, impalas, waterbucks, and many others.
Samburu is also a renowned bird watching haven, with hundreds of bird species resident here. These include kingfisher, bee-eaters, tawny eagle, guinea-fowl, yellow throated spur-fowl, lilac-breasted roller, red-billed hornbill, secretary bird, Verreaux’s eagle, superb starling, yellow-billed hornbill and vultures. Dinner and overnight stay at Lion’s Cave Camp Samburu.
Day 3: Samburu to Nairobi
After breakfast, check out, and onward departure back to Nairobi. Arrive Nairobi in the afternoon, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport for your flight home.