Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve kenya is one of the most popular Kenya national parks in the northern part of the country, attracting a good number of tourists every single year. Samburu National Reserve is a game reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River, the biggest river in northern Kenya. Samburu National Reserve has quite a lion’s share of wildlife in Kenya, having a number of the big five and famous big cats as well as the African wild dogs which are otherwise a hard spot. Samburu National Reserve is one of the prime safari destinations in Kenya and even though it is less visited and small in size, the wildlife in Samburu National Reserve is quite abundant and the scenery and landscape very beautiful. In fact, the CNN Travel in 2019 listed Samburu National Reserve as one of the most beautiful places in the world because of the landscape and wildlife.
Samburu National Reserve Location
What is the location of Samburu National Reserve? Or where is Samburu National Reserve located? Well Samburu National Reserve is located in the northern region of Kenya. Samburu national Reserve is situated at the river banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River to the south which separates the reserve from Springs National Reserve. Established in 1985, Samburu National Reserve covers about 165 square kilometres and is about 345km from Nairobi city.
Attractions in Samburu National Reserve
The Samburu Special five
The Samburu Special five are the rare northern species that can be found in Samburu National Reserve. With the great Ewaso Ny’iro River in the reserve, these special five of Samburu National Reserve have made it their habitat, and can therefore be easily found here. The Samburu National Reserve special five include the Grevy’s zebra, the Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, Guenther’s dik-dik, long-necked gerenuk and the beisa Oryx.
Animals in Samburu National Reserve
Apart from the rare Samburu special six, there are other animals in Samburu National Reserve that tourists could see while in the park. the other animals in Samburu National Reserve that tourists can spot include four of the big five including lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes as well as hippos, hyenas, Masai giraffe, waterbucks, impala, warthogs, among so many others. The population of elephants in Samburu National Reserve is about 900 roaming the park.
Birds
Birds in Samburu National Reserve are recorded at more than 450 bird species, which birds can spot with various activities in the reserve. Common sightings of birds in Samburu National Reserve include the grey-headed kingfisher, sunbirds, bateleur, secretary bird, superb sterling, northern-red-billed hornbill, bee-eaters, tawny eagle, and various vultures like the palm-nut vulture.
River Ewaso Ny’iro
River Ewaso Ny’iro is the largest river in the northern part of Kenya, supporting a variety of wildlife and animals in Samburu National Reserve as well as inhabits animals like crocodiles which can be spotted.
Mount Koitogor and Mount Ololokwe
Mount Koitogor and Mount Ololokwe are a great welcoming sight as you enter the reserve, adding a great view point to the park.
Samburu National Reserve activities
There are a number of activities in Samburu National Park that tourists can do and they include;
Game drives
Game drives in Samburu National Reserve are a captivating activity in the park which take you through the rugged semi-arid plains of the reserve whilst spotting a variety of wildlife in Samburu National Reserve.
Walking safaris
Tourists get to explore Samburu National Reserve on foot with walking safaris in the park, which are guided by park rangers. Walking safaris in Samburu National Reserve take you through paths in the park, enjoying the scenery and breathe taking landscape of the park, as well as be able to come up close with the animals and wildlife in Samburu National Reserve.
Mountain biking
Mountain biking or simply biking safaris in Samburu National Reserve is one of the most adventurous activities in Samburu National Reserve which see travellers biking through the park and communities just outside the park, giving travellers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the amazing culture of the locals, with a possibility of even visiting the locals and take part in different activities in the long run like visiting the local Samburu villages.
Camelback safaris
Camelback safaris in Samburu National Reserve are a unique activity which have travellers enjoying game viewing. Camelback safaris are a traditional and unique way of exploring the wilderness and spotting the wildlife, with opportunities of riding along with the animals in Samburu National Reserve.
Highlights of Samburu national Reserve include;
- Home to the big cats like lions, leopards and cheetahs.
- Tourists are likely to see the rare northern species like the special six which include Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich and others.
- Great birding destination with over 450 bird species
- Walking safaris in the reserve are possible
Getting to Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve is generally a fly-in safari destination but can be accessed by both air and road. By air there are scheduled flights from Nairobi to Samburu airstrip. While those travellers after road drives to Samburu National Reserve drive for bout 5-6 hours from Nairobi city.
Best time to visit Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve can be visited all throughout the year, given the Samburu National Reserve weather and climate conditions. By and large however, Samburu National Reserve is best visited during the dry season which falls in the months of December through March and June through October, which are great times for game viewing in the park.
Samburu National Reserve is a great and beautiful Kenya national park with a variety of accommodation like the Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Sabache Camp, among others, in different categories which do cater for the different kinds of travellers. Take time to book or plan a Kenya wildlife safari to Samburu national Reserve, or even combine it with an extensive Masai Mara National Reserve safari.
