Despite being one of Kenya’s lesser-known parks, Samburu National Reserve is rich with animals and is one of the greatest sites to watch lions. In Kenya’s Rift Valley province, in the southern part of Samburu district, sits Samburu National Reserve. It is 350 km (220 mi) from Nairobi and has an area of about 165 square kilometers (64 sq mi). It is between 800 and 1,230 meters (2,620 and 4,040 feet) above sea level. The Uaso Nyiro River, which divides it from the Buffalo Springs National Reserve, borders it on the south.
One of the two places where conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness, the cherished character of the best-selling book and critically acclaimed movie “Born Free,” is Samburu National Reserve. In addition to its historical value, this famous reserve serves as a sanctuary for a variety of rich conservation initiatives. The Elephant Watch Camp, run by Saba Douglas-Hamilton, is located within its unspoiled surroundings. Its mission is to conserve elephants and offer tourists exceptional opportunities to interact with and learn about these amazing animals.
Apart from its associations with Elsa, Kamunyak, a lioness renowned for her remarkable act of taking in orphaned Oryx calves, resides in Samburu National Reserve. This touching tale highlights even more how important the reserve is as a wildlife sanctuary.
Numerous other wildlife species, including cape buffalo, lions, cheetahs, gravy zebras, hippos, olive baboons, warthogs, dik-dik, and impalas, can be found at Samburu National Reserve. More than 350 bird species can be found in the reserve, including vulturine guineafowls, Verreaux’s eagles, tawny eagles, secretary birds, and yellow-billed hornbills.
With a moisture index of 42 to 57, the Reserve is located in ecological zone V-, which is arid and semi-arid and denotes an environment where evapotranspiration exceeds available moisture. The nights are cold and the days are scorching. The average annual rainfall is 354 mm, with November and April seeing the highest amounts, while the average yearly temperature ranges from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. Due to the abundance of lush vegetation along the Ewaso Nyiro River, which serves as the primary water source for the Reserve and the surrounding towns, a significant concentration of species may be observed in the reserve throughout the dry season, which begins in late May and lasts until early October.
Numerous animals can be found at Samburu National Reserve, such as the Beisa Oryx, African elephants, Gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, and Reticulated Giraffe. Grant gazelles, Impalas, Waterbucks, Dik-diks, Hippos, Olive Baboons, Warthogs, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Wild Dogs, Cape Buffalo, Hyenas, Elands, Jackals, Klipspringer, Mongooses, and Bats are among the numerous forms of species that have been sighted here.
One of Kenya’s top locations for birdwatching is Samburu National Reserve. More than 350 different species of birds can be found in the reserve. Grey-headed kingfishers, sunbirds, bee-eaters, marabou storks, tawny eagles, Verreaux’s eagle, bateleur, vulturine guineafowl, yellow-necked spurfowl, lilac-breasted roller, secretary bird, superb starling, northern red-billed hornbill, yellow-billed hornbill, palm-nut vulture, African Harrier-Hawk, African spoonbill, African White-backed vulture, and black-shouldered kite are just a few of these.
The renowned Samburu people, who are related to the Maasai, live in Samburu National Reserve. These native people, referred to as semi-nomadic pastoralists, have long lived alongside nature. You can discover more about the traditional ways of life, traditions, and ceremonies of the Samburu people by visiting their communities. You will also be required to take part in a variety of activities throughout your trips, including traditional dances, cooking lessons, milking, and herding, among others.
The Samburu people
While at the reserve, you can participate in and observe a variety of activities. These include of wildlife observation game drives, bird watching, bush breakfast, sundowners, nature walks, river rafting, and the Samburu culture experience, which is described below;
With an astounding list of more than 350 bird species, Samburu National Reserve is well-known for being a birdwatcher’s paradise. Numerous bird species, including the Somali ostrich, vulturine guineafowl, Hunter’s sunbird, white-bellied stork, African darter, African grey hornbill, African fish eagle, African Harrier-Hawk, African spoonbill, African White-backed vulture, Bateleur, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Dark-headed heron, black-shouldered kite, and more, can be seen during your birdwatching tours in the reserve.
The renowned wildlife drives in Samburu National Reserve are among the most thrilling ways to experience the area. Open-top vehicle guided safari tours are available to visitors on Kenya safari in the reserve, providing an exciting opportunity to see the varied wildlife in their natural environment. The Samburu “unique Five” animals—the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, and Beisa oryx—are among the remarkable variety of species that call the reserve home. Grant gazelles, Impalas, Waterbucks, Dik-diks, Hippos, Olive Baboons, Warthogs, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Cape Buffalo, Hyenas, Elands, and Jackals are among the numerous animals that call this place home. Usually, game drives begin in the early morning and end in the late afternoon. In addition to taking in the stunning environment, which includes the river’s vivid colors and the beautiful vistas of the surrounding area, you will get the opportunity to see these incredible wildlife species in their natural habitat during your game drive tours in the reserve.
Visitors can interact closely with the environment while exploring Samburu National Reserve on foot on nature walks, which provide an alternative viewpoint to driving. Visitors can connect more closely with the local flora and fauna by following this guided tour across a variety of ecosystems. Numerous wildlife species, including the Big Five, large herds of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffes, Beisa oryx, and a variety of bird species, including the Somali ostrich, African darter, great egret, white-headed vulture, martial eagle, and the yellow-billed ox-pecker, can be seen during guided nature walk tours.
One of the greatest and most well-liked activities available to tourists on a Kenya safari in Samburu National Reserve is riding a camel. One of the most unusual ways to visit parts of the reserves that are off-limits to cars is through this incredible activity. Adventurers can go across the wilderness on this thrilling kind of transportation while having an incredible and captivating safari experience. Riding a camel, according to many, is a traditional way to see this area and offers a genuine connection to the wildlife and scenery. You will have the chance to see a wide variety of the animals that call the reserve home during your camelback riding excursions. Every ride will be an amazing journey into the heart of nature, complete with breathtaking views of the surroundings.
The Samburu people, who are semi-nomadic shepherds who reside in north-central Kenya, call Samburu National Reserve home. The Maasai tribe is related to these ethnic groups. You can discover more about their traditional ways of life, traditions, and rituals by visiting these communities. You will also be required to take part in a variety of activities during your cultural excursion, including cooking workshops, beadwork, traditional dances, milking, and herding.
Although safaris in Samburu National Reserve are available all year round, the dry season is the best time to visit the reserve. Since animals like to congregate around water sources during this season, which usually lasts from late May to early October, it is easier to see wildlife. because the Ewaso Nyiro River is surrounded by rich greenery.
The most comfortable lodging options are available to visitors to Samburu National Reserve. These lodging options fall into three categories: budget, mid-range, and luxury. Aamburu Larsen’s Camp, Samburu Game Lodge, Saruni Samburu Lodge, Samburu Sopa, Sasaab-The Safari Collection, Samburu Intrepid, Elephants Watch Camp, Miibi Mingi Tented Lodge, and Elephants Bedroom are a some of the lodging choices available here.
By road: The all-weather bitumen road that passes through Isiolo leads from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve. Although gravel, the section from Isiolo Archer’s post is usually reachable. Given that Archer’s Gate is around 35 kilometers from Isiolo, tourists can drive there with ease.
By Air: As an alternative, you can reach the reserve by traveling to the Oryx Samburu airstrip from Nairobi on regularly scheduled domestic flights. Please get in touch with us if you need help arranging flights, and we will be pleased to assist you in organizing your safari.
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