Samburu Game Reserve

About Samburu

Samburu Game Reserve, located in northern Kenya, is a remote and rugged destination that offers a different kind of safari experience. Unlike the rolling savannas of the Mara, Samburu is characterized by dry, arid landscapes, acacia trees, and the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which is the lifeline of the reserve. The park is home to a number of unique animal species, making it a fantastic addition to any safari itinerary.

What Activities To Do

Samburu National Reserve offers a range of immersive safari experiences. Game drives are the primary activity, with the dry landscape making it easy to spot wildlife as animals gather around the Ewaso Nyiro River. Visitors can enjoy close encounters with elephants, giraffes, lions, and unique northern species like gerenuks, reticulated giraffes, and Grevy’s zebras.

Cultural visits to local Samburu villages provide insight into the semi-nomadic lifestyle, traditions, and customs, offering a deeper understanding of the people who share the land with wildlife. Additionally, guided bush walks led by Samburu warriors allow travelers to explore the environment on foot, learning about tracking, medicinal plants, and the intricate details of the ecosystem.

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What To See

Samburu National Reserve is renowned for its “Samburu Special Five”: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, and Somali ostrich. The reserve also hosts lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and a thriving population of crocodiles along the Ewaso Nyiro River.

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Best Time To Visit

The dry season from June to October is the best time to visit, as the animals are concentrated along the river, making for excellent game viewing. The wet season from March to May brings lush scenery and migratory birds.

How To Get There

The easiest way to get to Samburu is by a scheduled flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to one of the nearby airstrips. It is also possible to drive, but it’s a long journey, around 6-7 hours from Nairobi.

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Where to Stay

Samburu offers diverse accommodations to suit different preferences. Samburu Serena Safari Lodge boasts a scenic riverside setting. Larsens Tented Camp provides a luxurious, classic safari experience with an excellent location. Elephant Bedroom Camp offers an intimate, high-end stay, where elephants often roam close to the campgrounds, enhancing the safari experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

The arid landscape and the unique species found here, known as the "Samburu Special Five," set it apart from other Kenyan parks.

Real Stories from Happy Travelers

Read what travelers say after booking Uganda safari tours, gorilla trekking trips, wildlife safaris, and East Africa journeys with Little Rock Safaris.

 Oaklee H
Oaklee H

USA

We had the best time with Little Rock Safari! It totally exceeded our expectations. Right from the start, the staff was so friendly

lacey h
lacey h

Canada

Where to begin!?!? My husband and I did a two day Murchison falls safari trip, with Cliff & Derrick as our guides.

Anken Gylen
Anken Gylen

Traveler

Memorable Safari experience from start to the end I contacted Little Rock Safaris about 4 and half months before the tour starting date.

Salarput tor kamnai
Salarput tor kamnai

Traveler

Our original tour operator canceled our trip at last minutes, so we contacted Littlerock safaris to replace our canceled tour and they responded to us immediately

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