By air
Wilson, Nairobi (WIL), ~1 h by light aircraft
Africa · Kenya
Samburu, Kenya
The rare 'Samburu Special Five'
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to October — dry
Don't miss
The Ewaso Ng'iro river
Buffalo Springs
The Shaba reserve
Things to do
Game drives for Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe
Samburu village visits
Where to eat
What to pack
Neutral colours, sun protection
A quieter corner
The Ewaso Ng'iro river at dusk
Questions travellers ask
What wildlife is Samburu known for?
The rare 'Samburu Special Five'. Game drives here look for Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe.
When does Samburu's dry season fall?
June to October, when it's dry. Bring neutral colours and sun protection.
Which areas should I explore around Samburu?
The Ewaso Ng'iro river, Buffalo Springs and the Shaba reserve. Linger by the river at dusk if you can.
Can I fly to Samburu from Nairobi?
Yes: it's about an hour by light aircraft from Wilson, Nairobi (WIL). Add a Samburu village visit while you're there.
About Samburu
- Riverside
Where it is
Samburu National Reserve lies in Samburu County in northern Kenya, on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river in hot, semi-arid country north of Mount Kenya, with the Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves alongside.
History
The Samburu people have herded their livestock across these dry northern plains for centuries, and the reserve, named after them, protects a stretch of the Ewaso Ng'iro whose riverine forest draws wildlife from far around in the dry season. The neighbouring Shaba reserve was the last home of the conservationist Joy Adamson, author of Born Free.
People
The Samburu are pastoralists closely related to the Maasai, speaking a Maa language and herding cattle, goats and camels across the dry north. They are known for their many-stranded beaded collars, their songs and dances, and the age-sets of young warriors called moran.
Known for
- Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk
- Elephants along the Ewaso Ng'iro
- Game drives in Buffalo Springs and Shaba
- Visits to Samburu villages
- Leopards in the riverine forest
Did you know?
A lioness in Samburu named Kamunyak, the blessed one, became famous for adopting oryx calves, animals she would normally hunt.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.