Samburu National Reserve Kenya | Special 5, Birds & Culture

Top Things to See and Do in Samburu National Reserve

• This is the Samburu Special 5, which includes the Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, spot gerenuk, beisa oryx, and Grevy’s zebra.
• Lodges carved into and surrounding a massive volcanic rock face sit beside Bedouin tents.
• Find out what makes Samburu culture unique from Maasai culture.
• Among the 450+ bird species that have been documented are secretary birds, vulturine guinea fowl, and kori bustards.
• Accompany Samburu guides as you stroll over a steep terrain adorned with breathtaking rocky outcrops.
• Soak in the breathtaking view of the Milky Way and the stars.
• Instead of using a 4×4, try riding a camel through the scrubland.
• Read the complete genuine narrative at the entrance to Samburu National Park and be enchanted by the true story of a grieving lioness who takes in and takes care of an abandoned gazelle.

Why Go to Samburu?

Samburu is a hidden treasure for discerning safari enthusiasts due to its low tourist density. We prefer to stay in private conservancies in the Masai Mara because it is much quieter and less crowded than Amboseli, especially on weekends and school holidays, when thousands of visitors come to see the Migration. Finding sightings may be more of a challenge, but the payoff is greater, and you’ll probably be the only car on the road when you do. Rare and exotic animals, such as the gerenuk, call this area home.

Experienced tourists will find it to be an incredibly fulfilling location. A South African woman I met had taken her husband on numerous safaris; he was giraffe crazy, so she planned a unique “giraffe safari” to see all the species for his birthday. While the reticulated giraffes were the main attraction, they loved the opulent accommodations, discreet service, and refined ambiance at Samburu.

Where is Samburu?

Located in northern Kenya, Samburu National Park is characterised by dry scrubland, kopjes, and enormous rocky outcrops, all concentrated on the meandering Ewaso Ngiro River, as opposed to the flat, verdant rest of the country. The magnificent landscape is everything from dull; it is home to species that have adapted to the dry, rockier climate in a way no other place on Earth.

The nomadic pastoralist Samburu people are the inspiration for its name; their traditional clothing is some of the most exquisite and intricate you’ll ever see. The Samburu still inhabit mobile manyattas, or villages, where they tend to their livestock and can relocate them to other pastures as needed. Traders from Arabia brought camels with them because, well, you know how well desert animals do in semi-arid climates. One of the rarest experiences in Africa is a camel trek, when you follow the lead of experienced Samburu guides in search of exotic animals.

Which Animals Will I See in Samburu?

Elephants and other predators, like as lions, leopards, and wild dogs, find refuge in the reserve. Vulturine guineafowls, lesser kestrels, and the taita falcon are just a few of the more than 450 bird species found in Samburu.

The quasi-endemic species found in Samburu have adapted to the more drier and hillier environment, which is one of the greatest and most thrilling reasons for animal and safari fans to visit. Samburu is home to the Special 5—cousins of the renowned Big 5—in contrast to Amboseli’s enormous elephant herds and the Masai Mara’s millions of migrating wildebeest.

When to Go: The Best Time to Visit Samburu

Samburu is a great place to visit any time of year because it doesn’t get too wet. That being said, you should still check with your local travel clinic for malaria prevention measures, even if the chances of getting the disease are low. Between June and October, when safari season is at its height, you can enjoy milder, drier weather during the mid-winter. The animals are more visible in the dry weather because they remain close to the Ewaso Ngiro River, one of the few water sources.

• Samburu is a great addition to a Masai Mara safari during the summer when you may witness the migrating wildebeest.
• During the Green Season (about November to April), when light rains reduce dust and make Samburu more verdant, the area is also quite rewarding. Additionally, migratory birds are most visible around this time.

Where to Stay in Samburu?

The reserve’s rocky outcrops and unique blend of Samburu and Arabian influences make for some of Kenya’s most breathtaking accommodations.

Consider transferring to a different lodge if your stay will exceed three nights. This will allow you to see a new area of the park and enjoy other vistas.

1. SaSaab Camp

seems like it might be plucked straight out of One Thousand and One Nights. The dining and living areas are bright and open, with classic carved furniture, lights in an Arabian style, and charming details like amphora in arched alcoves and potted palms. Along the property’s winding riverbank path are its gigantic Bedouin tent-style rooms—bigger than some New York apartments. While the sloping walkways may test your fitness level, the ultimate solitude and breathtaking vistas from each unit are well worth the effort. Having a private plunge pool, sun-drenched terrace and outdoor loo in your tent means you won’t even have to step foot in the main pool. The spa features a small gym attached to it and is designed around an internal pool. A little further on, sun loungers surround the freeform pool; for an Italian fix while in Kenya, fire up the pizza oven.

2. Saruni Samburu

features yet another large lodge perfect for taking in the breathtaking scenery. Situated at a much higher elevation, the welcome room commands a breathtaking view of the Samburu plains below from its perch atop the escarpment. Saruni Samburu makes use of the natural features of the area, such as the surrounding rock faces and large boulders, to design a property with a network of meandering pathways. Again, being somewhat active and fit helps. As you meander between the two pools, your expansive suite, and the common area, keep an eye out for klipspringers. These little, extremely shy antelopes live in pairs, commit to a lifelong mating ritual, and seek refuge among the rocks. According to folklore, when one dies, the other also pines away from sadness. The rocks were once a safe haven for leopards, and the Samburu guides can tell you all about the intense feasting rituals that the young men of the tribe would participate in here for months on end. They would gorge themselves on cattle and nothing else until they were strong enough to return to their manyatta. At Saruni Samburu, you may relax in the spa while admiring the wonderful Samburu jewellery on display. This traditional jewellery is made with brilliant beads and excellent silverwork, and it is worn delicately by both men and women. Menu items including risotto, grissini, and cappuccino are homages to Italian cuisine. In a nation known for its elaborate tented camps, the suites here are brick and mortar due to their placement on the rocks.

3. Elephant Bedroom Camp

Located on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Elephant Bedroom Camp provides a cosy tented environment for a real African safari. Surrounded by beautiful doum palms, the camp’s large tents sit above wooden terraces with their own plunge pools. A herd of elephants will likely stop by the camp on a regular basis, and occasionally you may see lions and leopards as they drink from the river.