Samburu National Reserve

Back to Kenya

North of Mount Kenya, the land turns red and the Ewaso Ng’iro river threads a green ribbon through the semi-desert — and along it gathers wildlife found almost nowhere else in Kenya, watched over by the proud, scarlet-robed Samburu people.

Highlights

Samburu’s ‘Special Five’ headline every drive: Grévy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk standing on hind legs to browse, and the blue-shanked Somali ostrich. Elephants dig wells in the dry riverbed, leopards haunt the riverine forest, and cultural visits with Samburu warriors are among Kenya’s most genuine.

Best Time to Visit

Dry months — June to October and December to March — concentrate everything along the river. The reserve combines effortlessly with Laikipia by road or a short hop by air.

Where to Stay

Intimate tented camps line the river under the doum palms; we pick the bend with the best elephant traffic.

Samburu completes our Laikipia & Samburu route — or see all our Kenya journeys.