Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is one of Kenya’s most beautiful wild areas, with unique fauna and flora.

The reserve, 315km north of Nairobi, is one of the drier areas of Kenya, giving the region its own unique scenic character.

The plants and animals have adapted to these dry conditions with a semi-arid climate and low rainfall. Thus, you will find animals and plants here that do not exist in Kenya’s southern parks.

The reserve’s defining feature is the stunning landscapes. Numerous inselbergs, or island-like hills, protrude from the semi-arid landscape, lining the horizon and creating amazing backdrops when photographing animals.

On clear days, Mount Kenya is visible to the south.

The Ewaso Ngiro River (also known as Ewaso Nyiro River), lined by acacia trees and the iconic Doum palms, is the area’s lifeline, providing a year-round water source and a home to hippos and patrolling crocodiles.

During the dry season, the river is a magnet for all living things, making for rewarding game drives.

The Samburu Five animals

Among the animals of Samburu, you’ll find the Samburu Five, a group of strikingly beautiful patterned animals. They are the Reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra and Gerenuk.

The latter is known as giraffe-necked antelope, as they can be seen standing on their hind legs, stretching out their long necks to browse on the highest leaves.

Unfortunately, the Grevy’s Zebra and Reticulated Giraffe numbers have dwindled to concerning levels.

Other unique species to look for include Aardwolfs, Striped Hyenas and Wild Dogs.

Which other animals can you see in Samburu National Reserve?

It is possible to see four out of the Big Five, with only rhinos missing.

However, the reserve is best known as a haven for 750 elephants. During the rainy season, an abundance of vegetation attracts elephants from further afield, causing a rise in the population to 1,000 and leading to socialising and mating.

Observing elephants near the river is truly captivating. They use the river to quench their thirst and submerge themselves completely to cool off, using their trunks as snorkels when in full flow.

As the landscapes dry out, elephants dig in the river’s sandy sediment to create a waterhole for all the wildlife around them.

They have also been observed picking Weaver bird nests from acacia trees and devouring them like small snacks. When searching for food, they file across the river with their little ones in tow to reach the far banks of Buffalo Springs National Reserve.

With so much riverside activity, you can expect to see a range of big cats, including cheetahs, lions, and leopards. The thick riparian zone is a great place to see leopards and lions.

If all of this wasn’t enough, Samburu is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with many unique species, including Vulturine guineafowl, Somali bee-eater, Rosy-patched bush shrike and Somali ostrich.

Wildlife & communities in Northern Kenya

Northern Kenya is a tale of two halves.

Droughts force pastoralists to enter the reserve to graze their livestock, negatively impacting the wildlife. However, on the flip side, community-based conservation aims to create harmony between people and wildlife.

Today, the local Samburu community, a culture closely related to the Masai, operate the reserve and preserve the wildlife.

Excitingly, Samburu National Reserve is an evolving ecosystem with numerous reserves growing around its border, such as the Kalama Conservancy, West Gate Community Conservancy and Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, complementing the well-established Shaba National Reserve and Buffalo Springs National Reserve.

Together, they create the ideal picturesque safari destination and a promising future for Kenya’s wildlife.