Samburu Game Reserve

Located in the Samburu county of Kenya, Samburu Game Reserve is a popular safari destination in Kenya – especially for wildlife viewing Safaris. This National Park lies on the northern banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River in Kenya which separates it from the Buffalo Spring National Reserve to the south. It is located approximately 350 kilometers north of Kenya’s Capital, Nairobi.  The Samburu Game Reserve spans a total land area of about 165 km² (about 64 square miles. Although relatively small compared to most National Parks in Kenya, Samburu National Reserve is a stunning safari destination with a unique environment. This Reserve is a top wildlife viewing destination in Kenya, hosting a diverse range of wildlife species that inhabit its diverse environments including; the rugged terrain, open savannahs, acacia woodlands, and riverine forests. The National Park is also a great birding destination in Kenya.

Samburu is a 4 star destination for African big Five viewing, hosting four species of these iconic animals (lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant). The other wildlife in the park include, hippopotamuses, cheetahs, gerenuk, Grey’s zebras, dik-dik, impalas, waterbucks, gazelles, giraffe, oryx and a variety of bird species can be seen on a Kenyan Safari.  Inside the nature capital of Samburu Game Reserve are soothing sounds of 350 species of birds singing  from the forested areas and the savannahs leaving visitors gasped at the viewing of grey-headed kingfisher, sunbirds, bee-eaters, marabou-stocks, palm-nut vultures, yellow-billed hornbill, sunbirds, bee-eaters, Verreaux’s eagle, vulturine guinea fowl, bateleur, yellow-necked sparrow, secretary bird, superb starling and the lilac-breasted roller on the birding safaris in Kenya.

This reserve has one of the most spectacular landscape in Kenya, making it a top destination for photography safaris. The high attitudes of Samburu Game Reserve allows for some of the best walking safaris in Kenya.  Visitors can explore the two mountains of Ololokwe and Koitogor inside the game reserve.

 

History of Samburu National Reserve

Samburu Game Reserve was established in 1948 along the fast-flowing water of River Ewaso Ng’iro that provides water to most of the wildlife in the game reserve and famous flora of the game reserve like the doum palm trees which are the best places to see some of the animals and birds on safaris in Kenya. The game reserve become popular when it appeared in the best-selling book and award winning movie of George and Adamson called Born Free where they raised Elsa the lioness.

Early problems in management of Samburu Game Reserve compelled it to be a separate entity from other parks in Kenya for easy administration in 1962. The Kenyan Authorities decided to place  Samburu Game Reserve under the management of the Samburu District Council which oversaw the activities around the game reserve.

 

Attractions and Things to Do at Samburu Game Reserve

Wildlife Of Samburu Game Reserve

Samburu Game Reserve is one of the best destinations to visit for wildlife watching during Kenya Safaris/Kenya holiday tours. The game reserve is a unique home to different wildlife with over 50 mammal species residing here. Wildlife viewing in Samburu Game Reserve are a mixture of birding safaris, walking safaris and Big Five safaris giving visitors an awesome Kenyan Safari experience.

Density of wildlife in Samburu is a wonder to visitors who encounter large heards of elephants and buffalos, the prides of lions are enormous and the leopards that usually play with their cubs near acacia trees. Others animals are also visible and frequent in the sights of visitors with glances at baboons, warthogs, rhinos, dik-dik, hippos and gazelles being in their reach. It always captures the attention of many wildlife lovers to be near the big family of mammals seen in this prominent game reserve of Samburu.

 

Bird life in Samburu

Bird watchers all over the world, Samburu Game Reserve is a bird paradise that can be visited throughout. This Reserve is home to over 350 species which inhabit the varied habitats in the park including the forested areas, swamps, and the acacia savannas and woodlands. Kenya bird watching safaris can be done in Samburu and offer visitors a rare chance to spot some of the resident and migratory birdlife.

The birds in the Reserve are not difficult to find for birders on Safari in Kenya. From the time you arrive at the reserve gate, you’ll be able to spot different bird life either perched on tree branches or hoovering over your safari vehicle. The experience is more exciting as the twitterings of birds get louder as one moves deeper into the unexplored forests and grasslands. Birds like the yellow-billeed hornbills, northern red-billed hornbill, lilac-nut vulture are among the prominent birds of Samburu Game Reserve.

Helicopter Safaris In Samburu Game Reserve

Helicopter safaris in Samburu are one of their kind  inside an adventurous hub with lots of wildlife and birds living in the most scenic game reserve in Kenya. Flights around the prestigious Samburu are once in a lifetime African Safari experiences exposing the beauty of its heart like Ololokwe monolith, Sillale Crater, Lake Logipi, Suguta Valley among others. The extent of animal population can best be viewed from the skies, the fields are flooded with animals grazing like zebras, elephants, hippos and rhinos. Hiring a helicopter is super easy during a Kenyan Safari with prices ranging between $ 5,000-$7,000 a day. Book with us today and explore Samburu Game Reserve.

 

Camel Safari

Looking at the wildlife on the back of camel is absolutely incredible. Camel safaris solve the inaccessibility of certain parts of Samburu Game Reserve where game drives are limited by geographical aspects whereas Camels are God-made machines in their capability to climb difficult terrain.

The calm creatures are mostly used among the tribes in the Northern part of Kenya since the precolonial times. Riding a Camel on Kenyan Safari is an electrifying way to see zebra up close and many birds plus giraffes.

 

Visiting the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Early morning safaris in Kenya are the key things done at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary which is a bucket list item for a Big Five safari. Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is run and managed by the community geared towards conservation and rehabilitation of orphaned calves in the jungles of Kenya. Visitors can enjoy viewing elephants just 10 meters away.

The prices of this Kenyan Safari activity at Samburu cost $20-$30 for one to walk through near the herds of elephants grazing in the field together with a guide

 

Nature Walks

Walking safaris at the Reserve include an hour hike with a guide inside the nature filled gem. Depending on the choice of the visitors, nature walks inside the gorgeous reserve can take longer periods up to 5 hours learning about animals, plants and geography around Samburu.

The walking Safaris require protective gear like a large hat, long-pair of trousers, sunglasses, walk shoes and long-sleeved shirts are highly recommendable.

 

How To Get To Samburu Game Reserve

Driving a 4×4 vehicle from Nairobi northwards along the 355 km road takes approximately 6 hours to reach Samburu Game Reserve.

The quickest way to get to Samburu Game Reserve is by air using a charter flight from Nairobi to Samburu Game Reserve. The flight could take about $400-$500.

Why You Should Visit Samburu Game Reserve

Samburu Game Reserve is a top destination for safaris in Kenya offering remarkable and epic wildlife viewing safaris. The animals in the reserve are easy to find because of easy accessibility on game drives.

Samburu in a great birding destination: Visit Samburu Game Reserve and hear how the birds of the reserve sing sweet music in the ears.  There stunning views of birds like vultures, eagles and many more that are unique to the game reserve of Samburu.