Samburu National Reserve and Meru National Park

For an authentic African safari experience away from the mass tourism crowds of more popular parks, Samburu National Reserve and the Samburu ecosystem as a whole offer fantastic opportunities for unique northern species sightings and dramatic landscapes.

The sister reserves are a patchwork of riverine forests and gorges, palm groves and savannah plains. All three of these reserves that make up the ecosystem – Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba – are in Samburu country in northern Kenya. Samburu National Reserve is north of the Ewaso Ngiro River, which provides much-needed water to the reserve’s inhabitants during the long dry season.

Buffalo Springs is just south of the river and Shaba to the east of these two, on the other side of the A2 highway or Great North Road, as it’s known. The greater Samburu ecosystem is where Kenya’s endangered and rare Special Five can be seen – Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich.

Must-Visit Areas in Samburu

In the Samburu ecosystem, you can experience superb stargazing in this low-light pollution region, spot the Special Five, and see one of the most elusive big cats:

Samburu National Reserve: Home of the Special Five

Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve is one of the best destinations for a Kenya safari. This reserve has a unique attraction: the Special Five. These rare species include the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich. The night sky is also a spectacular attraction here. During the evenings, look up and enjoy incredible views of the Milky Way.

Buffalo Springs National Reserve: Reliable Leopard Sightings

Buffalo Springs National Reserve, set on the south bank of the Ewaso Nyiro, is a neighbour of Samburu and supports a similar range of wildlife, including an impressive number of leopards.

Another three members of the Big Five can be seen here: elephants, buffaloes, and lions. You can also see giraffes wandering the land as well as hyenas.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Samburu?

Visit during June to October or December to March for optimal game viewing. These months of the year see little to no rainfall; the dry vegetation and fewer water sources make spotting wildlife easier.

For the best birdwatching, October to May (the wet season) is ideal, as this is the season when migratory birds fly into this region, making a birding safari a more enriching experience.

Tip: This area is home to the Samburu people, cousins to the Maasai. Up here their culture has remained relatively undisturbed by the modern world and they are proud to share their ways and knowledge with visitors. Samburu is a fantastic place to embark on a cultural excursion.

Wildlife Found in Samburu

Four of the Big Five are easily found in this reserve, with just the rhino being absent. You’re also able to spot rarer species like Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, Somali ostriches, and beisa oryx.

This is also a fantastic destination for birdwatching while on your Kenya safari, with over 400 recorded here, including the vulturine guineafowl, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Egyptian vulture, African palm swift, and martial eagle.

How to Get to Samburu

The Samburu region has a number of airstrips you can fly into from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya.

Contact us today and one of our safari experts will help create your dream Kenya safari itinerary.