Samburu National Reserve is located in Samburu County in a semi arid area along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River which flows from Aberdare Ranges and Mount Kenya through northern Kenya to Somalia. The river is lifeline for both wildlife local communities of semi-nomadic pastoralists and farmers that depend on it for all their needs including livestock among the Samburu. Safari tourism plays a vital role in suporting regional efforts to save the Ewaso Nyiro Ecosystem and there are several conservation related activities available for booking through a tour operator. A significant part of community land is sustainably managed by several conservancies that surround Samburu National Reserve including West Gate Community, Kalama and Namunyak wildlife conservancies. The conservancies work with local communities to manage and protect wildlife and habitats while promoting sustainable tourism. Visitors can choose to stay inside the Samburu National Reserve or in one of the conservancies. Both offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, cultural experiences, however. Conservancies generally offer a more exclusive and intimate safari experience with camel trekking, guided bush walks, and night game drives which are not typically allowed in the main reserve. In addition to the conservancies, Samburu is also bordered by Buffalo springs national park and Shaba national reserves to form a part of the northern acacia commiphora bush lands and thickets, an ecological zone that spans across northern Kenya, north east Uganda, south east South Sudan, north east Tanzania, and southwest Ethiopia. Samburu alone covers 165 sq. km and is an excellent example where to sample the eco-regions’ flora and fauna including the Samburu Special 5 wild animals, which include reticulated giraffes, Gravy’s zebras, gerenuks, Beisa oryxs, and the Somali ostriches. The five are rare to find in other parts of Kenya and East Africa in general, so Samburu is your best bet to see them.
Vegetation
The vegetation in Samburu national reserve includes open savanna, acacia woodlands, and riverine forests along the Ewaso Nyiro River which is the lifeline for wildlife in the semi-arid environment. Vegetation is influenced by a relatively low-altitude that ranges between 800-1,230 meters (2,600-4,035 feet) above sea level. Samburu’s highest elevation is marked by rocky hills and two mountains including Koitogor and Kamunyak hills, popular spots for a keen photographer. Wildlife species that are adapted to rocky environments are found there including Klipsringers. The Mathews Ranges (also known as the Lenkiyio Hills) offers a spectacular backdrop to the east of the reserve. These mountains rise to over 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) and are covered in lush forest patches, contrasting with the semi-arid plains. Deeper soils along the riverbanks support unique tree species in which include Doum Palm (Hyphaene compressa), tamarind trees that are known for their sour-sweet fruit pods and the common fig tree species of Ficus sycomorus (Sycamore Fig) which provide fruits consumed by many elephants.
The open savanna is dotted with acacia trees such as Acacia tortilis (Umbrella Thorn trees) and Acacia drepanolobium (Whistling Thorn trees), and the Sausage trees (Kigelia africana) which yields sausage-shaped fruits that elephants and baboons feed on. Commiphora species within the Commiphora genus, such as Commiphora Africana. Balanites Species Trees in the Balanites genus, such as Desert Date (Balanites aegyptiaca) are drought-resistant and produce edible fruits that are important for local communities.
Wildlife
Samburu national reserve is rich in biodiversity including a population of over 900 elephants and 400 species of birds. The Ewaso Nyiro River provides water throughout the year that sustains elephants among other large mammal species including hippos, buffaloes, and plains zebras. Samburu also boats several antelope species which include common elands, grant’s gazelles, impala, Kirk’s dik diks, klipspringers, oribi, bushbucks, waterbucks, and coke’s hartebeests. Predators in Samburu include lions, leopards, cheetahs among other smaller ones include Aard wolves, bat-eared foxes, and African painted dogs. Among other smaller species include aardvark safaris, slender mongoose and dwarf mongoose, pangolin, porcupines, African hare. The forests also harbor primate species such as bush babies, red tailed monkeys, and velvet monkeys. The most sought after of all Samburu’s wild animals are the Samburu Special 5 animals which include Gravy’s zebras, gerenuks, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffes, and the Beisa Oryx.
Birds
With over 400 bird species, Samburu offers the best bird watching in Kenya and there are several species that are endemic to the semi-arid area including the vulturine guinea fowl, Somali ostrich, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus donaldsoni), Samburu Chat (Cercomela sordida), Williams’s Lark (Mirafra williamsi), Pink-breasted Lark (Calendulauda poecilosterna), and Golden Pipit (Tmetothylacus tenellus). Birders should visit different areas of the park given that some species prefer rocky outcrops and scrub habitats and others near the
Best time to visit
Samburu national reserve can be visited anytime of the year, however. The best time for game drive activities is June to October and January to March which is a dry season characterized by scorching sun and average day time temperatures range of 29-32 degrees Celsius. Light weight clothing and sunscreen are necessary items to carry on game drives. July to October is also the best time to witness the wildbesst migration in Masai Mara national reserve. You can add Samburu National Reserve to your Kenya safari visiting other destinations including Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha national parks.
Activities
Camel trekking
Samburu is one of the best places to do a camel safari in Kenya given that camels are part of the culture and the Samburu people have great skills in camel riding. They work with operators or lodges who offer the logistics and also customize the safari according to your preferences, budget, and time. Some camel safaris range from day trips, overnight safaris to multi-day treks. Beginners and those who may not have prior experience with camel riding are all welcome.
Bush walks
Walking safaris in Samburu national reserve are offered by lodges and camps which conduct them around their premises. Conservancies also offer guided bush walks which are longer and offer much more to see.
Game drives
Only day game drives are permitted within the main Samburu national reserve and often include bush meals and sundowners. Those intending to do night game drives can visit the conservancies.
How to get there
The protected area is 360 km (6-hour drive) north of Nairobi capital city and can also be reached by air through several airstrips including Samburu oryx, Kalama, and buffalo springs airstrips.