- Accommodations
- Deals and Discounts
- Destination
- Family friendly
- Maasai Mara
- Meals included
- Tour Type
- Wildlife
Samburu National Reserve
Nestled in the arid northern region of Kenya, Samburu National Reserve is a captivating gem for those seeking a unique safari experience. Far from the well-trodden paths of Kenya’s more famous parks like Maasai Mara or Amboseli, Samburu offers a rugged, untamed beauty and an extraordinary range of wildlife that sets it apart. The Ewaso Ng’iro River runs through the reserve, drawing a vibrant array of animals including elephants and lions. With its stark landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and a plethora of wildlife species, Samburu is a destination that promises adventure and discovery.
Samburu National Reserve covers approximately 165 square kilometers and is situated along the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The river, a lifeline of the arid landscape, serves wildlife, domestic animals and humans alike. It gets its name from the colour of its waters. Brown water, is what Ewaso Nyiro means in the local language. The reserve’s landscape is a mesmerizing contrast of arid scrublands and lush riverine vegetation. The river acts as a lifeline, supporting an ecosystem that thrives in this otherwise dry environment. The backdrop is dominated by the rugged, picturesque Samburu Hills and the distant, sometimes snow-capped, peaks of Mount Kenya, which create a dramatic and ever-changing panorama.
The climate in Samburu is generally hot and dry, with temperatures often soaring above 30°C (86°F). However, the occasional rainfall transforms the reserve into a vibrant tapestry of colors, making it a spectacular sight for visitors. The varied topography provides numerous opportunities for exploration, from game drives across expansive plains to walks through shaded riverine forests.
Samburu’s Wildlife
The reserve is rich in wildlife with an abundance of rare northern specialist species such as the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa oryx (also referred to as Samburu Special Five). The reserve is also home to elephants and large predators such as the lion, leopard and cheetah. Kamunyak the miracle lioness that adopted the baby oryx was as a resident in the reserve. Wild dog sightings are also a common attraction to this unique protected area.
A daily highlight of the area’s dry season is the visits to watering holes called ‘Sarara Singing Wells’ by Samburu warriors. The warriors descend into the holes which can be up to 10m deep. They then pass water hand to hand up to the waiting cattle while chanting their traditional Samburu songs.
Birdlife is abundant with over 450 species recorded. The Samburu ecosystem of vegetation in this arid region supports a very wide range of smaller birds. You’re not likely to miss the big flocks of vividly plumaged helmeted and vulturine guinea fowl, while among the many birds of prey, pygmy falcon and martial eagle from opposite ends of the raptor spectrum are both easily seen, as are Kori, Heuglin’s and buff-crested bustards, and lots of weavers, shrikes, woodpeckers and flycatchers as well as the distinctive, blue-skinned Somali ostrich, which you’ll see stepping out across the plains.
Samburu are semi-nomadic shepherds of a Nilotic origin, who live in an arid zone in North-Central Kenya, this forcing them to move frequently in search of new pastures for their cattle; in some respect they are very closely related to the Maasai, with whom they share many traditions and base their wealth on cattle that is the basis of their survival.
Samburu name comes from the word Samburr, that is a kind of bag used by members of the tribe, although the Samburu refer to themselves as Loikop, or Lokop, that means land owners. They speak the Samburu language, a Nilo-Saharan language similar to Maa, that is the language spoken by the Maasai. The Samburus are considered even more traditional and remote than their Maasai kin, and have maintained the authenticity of their culture by sticking to their ancient traditions and defying modern trends.
Samburu dress in brightly colored traditional shukas, especially women, who adorn themselves in beautiful, multi-beaded necklaces, anklets and bracelets. The Samburu, who have been traditionally described as great warriors, have a strong military and cultural alliance with the Rendille population, who have adopted the Samburu language. With the Rendille tribe they also share the same passion for pieces of jewelry made of colourful beads; the Samburu make anklets, colorful bracelets and necklaces, that symbolize the wealth of the wearer but also identify the marital status, as each colour used has a specific meaning.
Samburu love to sing and dance and do not use any musical instrument, only the sound of their voice; the men usually dance in a circle jumping feet together and upright, like the Masai dances, and the women also dance but separated from men. Dances usually accompany rituals or ceremonies; the main ritual in the Samburu society is male circumcision that marks the transition to adulthood, while the most important ceremony is undoubtedly the wedding.
The structure of the Samburu villages resembles to that of the Masai villages: there is a thorn fence for the cattle inside the village and one outside to protect the village itself; the circular huts are made of braided tree branches, mud and cow dung; unlike the Masai villages, the Samburu villages can be easily dismantled to be rebuilt elsewhere, that makes them perfectly adapted to the semi-nomadic life of this people. The Samburu move frequently in constant search of new pastures for the cattle on which their lives and survival depend; the cattle in particular play a central role in the life of this people.
Samburu National Reserve is a captivating destination that offers a distinctive blend of wildlife, landscapes, and culture. Its relatively remote location ensures a more intimate and undisturbed safari experience, while its diverse wildlife and rich cultural interactions make it a must-visit for anyone seeking to explore the heart of Kenya. As you embark on a journey through this remarkable reserve, you’ll discover a land of contrasts and connections—a place where nature and culture coexist in beautiful harmony.
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Nairobi, Kenya | ||||||||
DEPARTURE TIME | Please arrive by 6:30 AM for a prompt departure at 7:00 AM. | ||||||||
RETURN TIME | Approximately 4:30 PM. | ||||||||
WEAR | Comfortable safari clothing, comfortable safari shoes , warm and light clothes | ||||||||
INCLUDED |
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NOT INCLUDED |
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Additional information
Location | Samburu Kenya |
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Destination | Kenya, MAASAIMARA |
Groupsize | 8 |
Day 1: Drive from Nairobi to Samburu
Your driver guide will pick you up at the airport or your hotel in Nairobi. After meet and greet, he will escort you to your car and commence drive to Samburu National Reserve arriving for lunch at the camp. After check in and lunch, you will go for an afternoon game drive or an optional visit to a local Samburu village at 16:00hrs and return to the lodge before dusk for dinner and overnight stay at Lion’s Cave Camp Samburu.
Day 2: Full day Game drives in Samburu National Reserve
After early breakfast at the camp at 07:00 am, join your safari driver guide and depart for full day game viewing drive with picnic lunch boxes to Samburu National Reserve, famous for its truly wild semi-arid landscape, and the large concentration of wild animals and bird-life. Together with the adjoining Shaba and Buffalo Springs national reserves, Samburu is popular for hosting the rare Northern-Kenya animal species (Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa Oryx and Somali Ostrich) which are not found in the other popular parks and reserves in Kenya. It is also home to all the African big cats (lion, cheetah and leopard), alongside other big game including elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, hippos, impala, water-buck and many others. Samburu is also a renowned bird watching haven, with hundreds of bird species resident here. These include kingfisher, bee-eaters, tawny eagle, guinea-fowl, yellow throated spur-fowl, lilac-breasted roller, red-billed hornbill, secretary bird, Verreaux’s eagle, superb starling, yellow-billed hornbill and vultures. Dinner and overnight stay at Lion’s Cave Camp Samburu.
Day 3: Samburu to Nairobi
After breakfast, check out and onward departure back to Nairobi. Arrive Nairobi in the afternoon where you will be dropped off at your hotel or free onward transfer to the airport for your flight home.