Overview
The most popular park in northern Kenya, Samburu’s dominant feature is the Ewaso Ngiro River, which slices through the otherwise bone-dry country. The river acts as a magnet for thirsty animals, and large numbers of elephants, Grevy’s zebras, giraffes and lions gather along the riverbanks.
Pros & Cons
Great wildlife viewing with four of the Big Five relatively easy to find (rhino excluded)
Interesting mammal species restricted to the arid north
Beautiful barren scenery
Excellent birding with many dry-country specials
A good range of accommodation catering to different budgets
Very hot and dry
Wildlife
Samburu offers great wildlife viewing and four of the Big Five are present. Rhinos are absent, but big herds of elephant cross the reserve. Of the big cats, leopards are very rewarding with some habituated individuals giving high-quality sightings. Most interesting are the northern Kenya specials including beisa oryx, lesser kudu, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and the odd-looking gerenuk.
More about Samburu’s wildlife
Scenery
Samburu protects an area of semi-arid savannah extending from the lovely Ewaso Nyero River. The reserve is made up of riverine forest along the water and dry acacia scrub peppered with termite mounds. Koitogor Hill marks the middle of the reserve.