Samburu Safari

Samburu shares its name with the colourful tribesmen of this area, and is one of the driest and most dramatic regions in Kenya. The game reserve lies to the north of Mount Kenya and is traversed by the Ewaso Nyiro River, the life-blood of this arid environment and a hotspot for wildlife sightings.

Samburu is one of the most scenic reserves in Kenya, with a diverse landscape punctuated by Mount Kiotogor which forms a central pyramid-like feature. The bordering Kalama Conservancy is regarded as having the most breath-taking views in the area, with spectacular panoramas out across rocky escarpments and endless plains.

Game viewing on a tailor made Samburu safari is rewarding, and quite different from other Kenyan parks. You'll be guided by a real Samburu warrior, which is a real treat as they know so much about their land. Samburu is famous for its elephants and is a major area of study by Iain Douglas-Hamilton’s ‘Save the Elephants’ project. The lion population is also very healthy, whilst leopard sightings are amongst the highest of any reserve in the region.

Then there’s the famous ‘Samburu Five’. A collection of rare and unusual species found only in this area of northern Kenya, including the long-necked gerenuk, the uniquely marked reticulated giraffe, the Besia oryx, the Grevy’s zebra, and the Somali ostrich which is distinctive for the blue tinge to its neck and feathers. Such unique game viewing also makes Samburu the perfect reserve to combine with the more traditional big five safari experience on offer in the Masai Mara, and with direct flights between the two it couldn’t be easier.