01
Grevy's zebra
The largest wild zebra, with narrow stripes, a white belly and big rounded ears. Endangered, with most of the world's population in northern Kenya.
Northern Kenya · Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve Safari Guide
Wild, red-earth country along the Ewaso Ng'iro River, home to the rare Samburu Special Five, leopards, elephants and the proud Samburu people.
- Size
- 165 km²
- From Nairobi
- 350 km · ~6 hrs
- Best time
- Jun – Oct, Dec – Mar
- Safaris from
- US$990 pp
0.6° NNorth of the equatorKenya's wild north
Why Samburu feels different from any other Kenya safari
Samburu National Reserve lies in Samburu County, northern Kenya, on the north bank of the Ewaso Ng'iro River. Across the river is Buffalo Springs National Reserve, and Shaba National Reserve lies just to the east.
The land is hot and dry, with red soil, doum palms, acacia scrub and rocky hills rising from the plains. The river is the only permanent water for miles, so wildlife comes to it every day. That makes game viewing rewarding even though the reserve is small.
Samburu is quieter than the Masai Mara, and it is the best place in Kenya to see animals adapted to the arid north. The reserve is owned and run by the Samburu County Government, and the local community benefits from its visitors.
165 km²reserve area
800–1,230 mabove sea level
350+bird species
5rare northern species
Signature wildlife
The Samburu Special Five
Five animals you will struggle to find in southern Kenya. All are adapted to the dry north, and a good game drive here can show you all five in a single day.
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Reticulated giraffe
Sharp-edged, liver-red patches separated by bright white lines, like a net. Often seen browsing acacias by the river.
03
Somali ostrich
Males have a blue-grey neck and legs, unlike the pink of the common ostrich found further south.
04
Beisa oryx
A desert antelope with long, straight horns and a striking black-and-white face. It can go long periods without drinking.
05
Gerenuk
The giraffe-necked antelope. It stands upright on its hind legs to reach leaves no other antelope can, and rarely needs to drink.
Guide tip: Grevy's zebra and Beisa oryx favour the open plains away from the river, while gerenuk browse in thicker acacia scrub. Ask your driver-guide to cover both habitats.
The lifeline of the north
The Ewaso Ng'iro River
The river rises on the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares and flows north through the reserve. In the dry season it may be the only water for many kilometres, so almost every animal in Samburu comes to it.
- Elephant crossings. Family herds cross and drink at midday. Samburu's elephants have been studied by Save the Elephants since the 1990s.
- Riverine forest. Tall acacias and doum palms along the banks are prime leopard country.
- Crocodiles and birds. Look for Nile crocodiles on the sandbanks and kingfishers, bee-eaters and vulturine guineafowl nearby.
Beyond the Special Five
Predators and big game in Samburu
Samburu has lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo, plus cheetah, hyena and the occasional pack of wild dogs. There are no rhinos in the reserve, so many guests add Ol Pejeta or Lake Nakuru.
Leopard
Often seen resting in riverine trees. Samburu is one of Kenya's best leopard parks.
Elephant
Large herds along the river, many known individually by researchers.
Lion
Prides hunt across the plains and the dry riverbeds.
Buffalo
Herds graze the riverbanks and swamps, especially in the dry season.
- Cheetah
- African wild dog
- Spotted hyena
- Dik-dik
- Impala
- Waterbuck
- Vulturine guineafowl
- Nile crocodile
- Hippo (in the river)
Culture
Meet the Samburu people
The Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists, related to the Maasai, who have herded cattle, goats and camels in this region for centuries.
They are known for their bright red cloth and layered beadwork, and for songs and dances that mark every stage of life. A visit to a Samburu village, arranged with the community, lets you see how a manyatta is built, watch traditional dances and learn how people live alongside wildlife.
The reserve itself is community land, managed by Samburu County, so your park fees help support local people.
Add a cultural visit to your safariBest time to visit
When to go to Samburu
Samburu is hot all year, with daytime temperatures often above 30°C. The dry months are best, when animals stay close to the river. The short rains bring green growth and migrant birds.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best: long dry seasonVery good: short dry seasonRains: green, quieter, lower rates
June – October
Peak season. Dry, clear and the best game viewing, with wildlife concentrated along the Ewaso Ng'iro.
Late December – March
A second dry spell. Hot, quiet and excellent for photography and the Special Five.
April – May, November
The rains. Green landscapes, newborn animals and fewer visitors. Some tracks can be muddy.
Practical information
Plan your visit to Samburu
By road
About 350 km and 6 hours from Nairobi, via Nanyuki and Isiolo on a good tarmac road. Many safaris break the journey at Ol Pejeta or Mount Kenya.
By air
Daily scheduled flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport land at the Samburu airstrips, including Kalama and Buffalo Springs, in about an hour and a half.
Where to stay
Riverside lodges and tented camps in the reserve and in the community conservancies around it, from comfortable mid-range camps to luxury lodges.
Park fees
Samburu is a county reserve managed by the Samburu County Government, not KWS.
US$70–80non-resident adult, per day (approx.)
Fees are set by the county and can change. We confirm the current rate in your quote.
Safari packages
Samburu safari packages
Private safaris from Nairobi that include Samburu. Prices are per person and every itinerary can be customised. See all Kenya safaris
3 daysSamburu National Reserve SafariSamburu
From US$990 ppView itinerary
5 daysOl Pejeta, Samburu & Lake NaivashaOl Pejeta · Samburu · Naivasha
From US$2,172 ppView itinerary
6 daysSamburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai MaraSamburu · Nakuru · Masai Mara
From US$2,634 ppView itinerary
7 daysSamburu, Nakuru, Naivasha & Masai MaraSamburu · Nakuru · Naivasha · Mara
From US$3,084 ppView itinerary
7 daysOl Pejeta, Samburu, Nakuru & Masai MaraOl Pejeta · Samburu · Nakuru · Mara
From US$3,396 ppView itinerary
10 days10-Day Premium Kenya SafariOl Pejeta · Samburu · Bogoria · Naivasha · Mara
From US$4,596 ppView itinerary
Good to know
Samburu safari FAQs
01What is Samburu National Reserve famous for?
Samburu is famous for the Samburu Special Five, five dry-country animals that are hard to see in southern Kenya: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk. It is also known for leopards, elephants along the Ewaso Ng'iro River and the culture of the Samburu people.
02What are the Samburu Special Five?
Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk. All five are adapted to the hot, dry north and are found in Samburu and the neighbouring Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves.
03When is the best time to visit Samburu?
The dry months from June to October and from late December to March are best. Animals gather along the Ewaso Ng'iro River and the bush is thinner, so wildlife is easier to find. The rains usually fall in April and May and again in November.
04How far is Samburu from Nairobi?
About 350 km, or roughly 6 hours by road through Nanyuki and Isiolo. Daily scheduled flights from Wilson Airport reach the Samburu airstrips in about an hour and a half.
05Who manages Samburu National Reserve and how much are the fees?
Samburu is a county reserve, managed by the Samburu County Government rather than Kenya Wildlife Service. Non-resident adults pay around US$70 to US$80 per day. Fees are set by the county and can change, so we confirm the current rate when we quote.
06Can you combine Samburu with other parks?
Yes. Samburu pairs well with Ol Pejeta Conservancy for rhinos and chimpanzees, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley, and the Masai Mara for big cats and the Great Migration.
07Is Samburu good for a first safari?
Yes, especially as part of a longer trip. It shows a different side of Kenya from the Masai Mara, with rare northern animals, fewer vehicles and the chance to meet the Samburu community.
Another question? Ask us on WhatsApp
Start planning
See the Special Five on a private Samburu safari
Tell us your dates and budget. Our Nairobi team will plan your route, lodges and game drives in our own 4x4 Land Cruisers and send a free quote.
