Unique Plains, Game Sightings
USD250 - USD1000 P/P
Grevy’s Zebra Beisa Oryx Wild Dog
Jul - Oct
Jul - Oct, Dec - Mar
Location
Samburu National Reserve is located in northern Kenya, along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The park is 220 miles or a six and a half hour drive from Nairobi. A flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport will take approximately 90 minutes, with guests flying into either Buffalo Springs, Samburu Oryx Airstrip and Kalama Airstrip.
Size
The size of Samburu National Reserve is around 64 square miles.
History
Samburu National Reserve is the setting for the well-known book “Born Free”, Joy and George Adamson’s interactions and journey with Elsa the Lioness. In 1948 the reserve became a wildlife protected area and in 1963, was given to the African District of Samburu to administer. Today, the reserve is managed by local Samburu communities and stands as one of Kenya’s key safari destinations due to its size and great sightings of animals and birdlife.
Entrance Fees & Permits
The entrance fee to get into Samburu National Reserve is USD70 per adult and USD40 per child under 12yrs old.
Hours of Operation
The gates of Samburu National Reserve are open from 6am to 6pm daily.
By Road
Travelling from Nairobi, the six and a half hour journey north takes visitors along the Thika and the Nyeri Katerina highway. There are five gates into the reserve, namely Archer’s Gate (the most popular), West Gate, Kalama Gate, Uaso Bridge Gate and Central Airstrip Gate.
By Air
Flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport take 90 minutes, with flights landing in Buffalo Springs, Samburu Oryx Airstrip and Kalama Airstrip.
Weather & Climate
Located in a partly arid and partly semi-arid climate, temperatures in Samburu National Reserve average between 65F and 85F throughout the year. Rainfall in general is low in the reserve, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in April and shorter rains in November. The dry, winter months of June, July and August provide the ideal time for optimal game viewing with low grass and crisp, clear days…
Avoiding Crowds
Winter is peak safari season in Samburu National Reserve so planning a safari around the months of June, July and August should be considered. This will ensure fewer vehicles out in the reserve and more availability in lodges and camps. Bird watchers will delight in visiting in January and February as a focus will be on birdlife and newborns versus an intense wildlife experience out in the reserve.
Value for Money
Accommodation in Samburu National Park ranges from budget camps to mid-range camps, right up to safari lodges and luxury accommodation in either tented or chalet-style. Pricing will fluctuate from around USD200 per person sharing per night, right up to USD1000 per person sharing per night, rates averaging at approximately USD700-USD800 per person sharing per night. With such a large rate-scale, a value-for-money safari at Samburu National Park is definitely possible.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in Amboseli National Park
Samburu National Reserve is known to offer some of the best sightings of leopards in Kenya and is home to unique wildlife such as the articulated giraffe, somali ostrich and beisa oryx. The reserve is home to four of the “Big Five” with the rhino absent from the list. Bird life is prevalent in Samburu National Reserve, with over 450 species recorded, including the endemic vulturine guineafowl and Hunter’s sunbird.
The Terrain
The vast landscape of the Samburu National Reserve comprises arid and semi-arid terrain, with the Ewaso Nyiro River running through the reserve, a permanent source of water throughout the year. Valleys dotted with shrubs and acacia trees, with palm trees scattered along the Ewaso Nyiro Riverbank.
Game Drives
Game drives in Samburu National Reserve usually take place early in the morning or late afternoon, lasting around three hours. 4×4 game vehicles are either closed with a pop-up roof or open on all sides, a roof covering included on some open vehicles. Qualified guides traverse the vast landscape in search of predators and prey, keeping an eye out for any of the incredible birdlife in the area.
Guided Walking Safaris
Guests to Samburu National Reserve can enjoy a guided bush walk over the arid landscape and over rock formations, captivating views all around. Wandering along the riverbank will bring walkers up close and personal with birdlife all the while keeping an eye out for elephants, buffalo, zebra and other plains game. Walks usually take place around sunrise and in the late afternoon when temperatures are cooler, and average two and a half hours with the option to stop for a packed breakfast or brunch.
Samburu National Reserve Lodging – Distance from park entrance
Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp
Lodge or Hotel Distance to park entrance (in miles)
Samburu Simba Lodge Located just across the Ewaso Nyiro River, distance approximately from the Uaso Bridge Gate.
Samburu Sopa Lodge Located within the reserve. 11 miles from Archer’s Gate, driving west from the gate to the lodge
Sarova Shaba Game Lodge Located outside the reserve 9 miles from Archer’s Gate, driving east from the lodge to the gate
Ashnil Samburu Lodge Located just across Ewasonyiro River outside the reserve 12 km from Ngare Mara Gate
Elephant Bedroom Camp Located in the reserve. 8 miles from Archer’s Gate driving west from the gate to the lodge
Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp Located 12.4 miles from the center of Archers Gate
Larsens Camp Located 3.1 miles from the center of Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Samburu Game Lodge Located 15.5 km from Archers Gate
Saruni Samburu Lodge Located 12 km between Kalama Gate and Saruni
Camel Trekking Safari
Experience the beauty of Samburu on a camel trekking safari, a unique mobile tented adventure for guests looking to extend their time in Samburu. View ostrich, zebra, giraffe and more as you meander slowly across the landscape.
Cultural Visits
Visit a Samburu village and learn about the rich heritage of the Samburu tribe, nomadic shepherds representing the third largest Maa community in East Africa. Visitors will be able to experience a day in the life of the Samburu tribe.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Spend time understanding the conservation efforts taking place at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, home to orphaned elephants with the intention of releasing them back into the wild.
When is the best time to visit Samburu National Reserve?
Visiting Samburu National Reserve during the dry, winter months of June, July and August will offer mild days with low grass creating an ideal setting for spotting animals on the plains of the Samburu. If looking to avoid crowds, consider travelling in September or October, and bird lovers will delight in visiting Samburu National Park in January or February.
How much does a safari in Samburu National Reserve cost?
With options ranging from basic camping to luxury lodges and tented experiences, pricing for a safari in the Samburu National Reserve can cost between USD250 to, USD1000 per person sharing per night. The higher-end pricing will usually include all meals plus at least two game experiences per day.
How to get to Samburu National Reserve?
The drive from Nairobi will take a six and a half hour drive from Nairobi along the Thika and the Nyeri Katerina highway. The fly-in option takes 90 minutes, flights originating from Wilson Airport in the country’s capital.
What makes a Samburu National Reserve safari so special?
The Samburu National Reserve offers a vast expanse of wilderness, a mix of arid and semi-arid terrain. It’s home to the famous story and journey of Elsa the Lioness and Joy and George Adamson and has a vast landscape. The region of Samburu is home to East Africa’s third largest Maa community, and cultural visits are truly rewarding.
What animals can I see in Samburu National Reserve?
Four of the “Big Five” can be seen in the Samburu National Reserve, and sightings of leopards are quite common. Several species of birds endemic to the area such as the Hunter’s sunbird can be found in Samburu National Reserve, as well as unique animals such as the Somali ostrich and Grevy’s zebra.
When is Samburu National Reserve open?
The gates of the Samburu National Reserve open at 6am and close at 6pm daily.
Do you need to book in advance to visit Samburu National Reserve
It is necessary to pre-book a safari at any of the camps and lodges near and inside the Samburu National Reserve to avoid disappointment regarding availability. Safari packages are usually confirmed inclusive of transfers to and from the reserve.
What’s the best way to see Samburu National Reserve?
4×4 game drives in the Samburu National Reserve will be conducted in either open safari vehicles or enclosed 4×4 safari vehicles with pop up roofs. Enjoying a bush walk is also a wonderful way to experience the reserve, constantly on the lookout for magnificent birdlife, plains game and distant predators.
What hotels, lodges, and camps are near Samburu National Reserve?
Popular hotel chains Sopa and Sarova have wonderful lodges located just outside the Samburu National Reserve, operating game drives within the reserve. Elephant Bedroom Camp is an intimate experience within the reserve and Ashnil Samburu and Samburu Simba lodges, four-star options, located just across the Ewaso Nyiro River which divides the Samburu County and Isiolo County.
What restaurants are near Samburu National Reserve?
All meals are enjoyed in the lodges and tented camps or out on mobile safaris. There are no cities or towns where dining would be an option, near the Samburu National Reserve.
What attractions are near Samburu National Reserve?
The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is a rehabilitation center for orphaned elephants, with the goal to set them free in the wilderness when they are healed. Visitors can enjoy a camel trek safari, admiring the landscape and wildlife of the Samburu National Park and spending time with a Samburu tribe and Maa community is a treat for guests looking for something other than a safari.
