Samburu National Reserve is famously known as game reserve lied on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro river in Kenya. The park covers an area of about 165 square kilometers in size and covers 350 kilometers from Nairobi. The park ranges in altitude from 800 to 1230 meter above sea level and it is located in Samburu County.
This reserve is water catchment, Ewaso Ng’iro flows through doum palm groves and think riverine forests and without water the game in this arid region could not survive.
More fact, Samburu National Reserve is one of the two areas in which conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness, of which made famous in the best-selling book and award-winning movie ‘’Born Free’’.
The reserve is home to wide number of animals and bird life and the large game species to Kenya’s northern plains can be explored in here, including gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, Oryx, reticulated giraffes and also the big cats can be seen like lion, cheetah and African leopard as well as elephant, Cape buffalo and hippopotamus. Other animals to see includes; Kirk’s dik-dik, Impala, Olive baboon, warthogs, Grant’s gazelle, waterbucks as well as black rhinoceros’ population were re-introduced into the park after an absence of 25 years due to heavy poaching.
The reserve boasts with rare northern specialist species include; Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and the Beisa Oryx among others.
Samburu National Reserve is a great birding site that harbors over 450 species of birds include; yellow-necked spurfowl, lilac-breasted roller, secretary birds, superb starling, northern red- billed hornbill, yellow-billed hornbill, grey-headed kingfisher, sunbirds, bee-eaters, Marabous stork, tawny eagle, Verreaux’s eagle, bateleur, vulturine guineafowl, palm-nut vulture among others. Critically endangered species under Cities- Pancake tortoise sighted in the reserve.
Location; The park is located in the southeastern corner of Samburu district in the Rift Valley province of Kenya, bordered to the south by Ewaso Nyiro River, which separates it from the Buffalo Springs National Reserve.
Things to do at the Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve has got numerous incredible activities ranging from Camel trekking safaris to less costly bush meals and nature walk or wildlife treks. Some most famous activities are brief visits to a traditional Maasai tribal village where travelers get amazing glimpse into the unique way of life of these nomadic peoples. Here are highlight things to do while on safari in Samburu National Reserve as follows;
Game drives
This is one of the best activities to do in the park which can be done in three sessions morning game drive, night game drives or full day photographer drives. List of animals to see includes; the big cats – lion, cheetah and African leopards and other species to see include; elephant, Cape buffalo, hippo, black rhinoceros, waterbuck, impala, Grant’s gazelle, Kirk’s dik-dik, water buck among others.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
This is worth an encounter on African continent that offers perfect aerial view of the scenic landscape and range of wildlife species as roam around. This is a truly thrilling and romantic once in a lifetime experience.
Maasai Village Visit
While on visit to the park, you can opt to go visit the Maasai Village Visit where can experience a traditional Maasai manyatta village and get a glimpse into the stunning way of life of this famous nomadic tribe of East Africa.
Bush Meals and Sundowners
On visit at Samburu, you can be able to enjoy sundowner at a beautiful spot while having a romantic candlelit dinner in the wilds of Africa.
Horseback Safaris
Visit the park and be able to experience the charm of a romantic, as you ride close to beautiful nature, what a rewardable experience this could be.
Walking Safaris and Nature Hikes; This is an exciting life experience which is best on foot through accompany of park ranger who leads you in different interesting trails within the park. You can be able to discover the park’s treasures on foot than one on the game drive.
The above remarkable activities in Samburu National Reserve can be combined with Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi National Park is famously known as home to world’s half population of critically endangered mountain gorillas and hosts over 23 gorilla families which are divided into four gorilla sectors; Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija gorilla group where gorilla trekking takes place.
Accessibility; Kenya to Uganda; Fly -from Kenya’s Wilson Airport to Entebbe International Airport. From Entebbe to Bwindi Forest National Park book a domestic flight Aero link Uganda to fly you to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip ‘’1:30 hours’’.
Where to stay on safari night in Samburu National Reserve
Well, Samburu offers a pristine wilderness which can be enjoyed right away from the city life as well as enjoying many excellent an up market luxurious accommodation in such inaccessibility. It also vibes with amazing hotels specifically tented camps and lodges which are located in distinct area of the reserve. The accommodation in Samburu ranges from Luxury, Mid-Range and Budget camps and safari lodges. Some of them includes; Saasab Camp, Larsens Tented Camp, Samburu Intrepid Camp, Elephant Bedroom Camp, Elephant Watch Camp, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Samburu Simba Lodge, Sentrim Samburu Camp, Samburu Game Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge many more.
Get started planning a visit to Kenya Wildlife Safari combined with Uganda Gorilla Safaris Now!
