Samburu National Reserve

Lying on the edge of northern Kenya's arid savannahs, the Samburu National Reserve is a destination that will appeal as much to the safari first-timer as it will to the veteran. The most rewarding of the three national reserves that cluster around the life-giving Ewaso Ngiro River (the other two are Shaba and Buffalo Springs), Samburu's game viewing is famously first-class and there are adventure activities and fascinating cultural interactions too.

Samburu's savannahs and forests make for diverse big game country. Home to all the big cats, it's especially good for leopard as well as providing a haven for super-rare wild dogs and large numbers of elephants. The 450 bird species will delight birders while it's also the best destination for wildlife enthusiasts who want to see unusual animals that don't occur in Kenya's more well-known reserves. Top of the list are the 'Samburu Big 5' - Grevy's zebra;the long-neckedgerenuk; reticulated giraffe; besia oryx; and Somali ostrich.

1. Enjoy Fantastic, Year-round Game Viewing

But a Samburu safari also offers the opportunity to explore on foot and by mountain bike as well as the chance to visit Samburu villages and gain an insight into local life. Most often a fly-in destination, there are several superb lodges in the area. Some are family-friendly while others are perfect for an off-the-beaten-path honeymoon, but all offer a wide range of activities such as big cat tracking at Saruni Samburu; camelback safaris at SaSaab Camp; and bush breakfasts at Elephant Bedroom Camp - where elephant really do wander through camp on a fairly regular basis!

Generally a region of hot days and cool nights, the best time to go on a Samburu safari is during its two dry seasons: from December to March and again from June to October. The rains begin in late March and run through until May with a second rainy season in November.

All in all the Samburu delivers a unique safari experience, especially in combination with Kenya's more famous Masai Mara or Amboseli reserves. To visit this game-rich reserve with its palm groves and dense forests simply browse our most popular Samburu tours and safaris, or contact a Go2Africa Safari Expert for assistance with planning the perfect tailor-made solution.