Reasons Why You Should Visit Samburu National Reserve

Published on:
5th May 2025
2 Minutes Read

Top Reasons Why You Should Visit Samburu National Reserve

Visiting Samburu National Reserve is not just about wildlife; it's also an opportunity to experience Samburu culture and the unspoiled beauty of northern Kenya. For photographers, it's a paradise with stunning sunsets and dramatic scenery. Don't miss the chance to connect with nature and enjoy one of Kenya's most peaceful and rewarding parks. Let RoamRoar Kenya Safaris plan that Safari.

Without further ado, let's look at why you should visit Samburu National Reserve.

1. The Samburu Special five

One is the unique wildlife—the reserve of the top reasons to visit Samburu National Reserve. Samburu National Reserve is a remarkable habitat for wildlife, with unique species referred to as the Samburu Special Five. These species are endemic to the Reserve. The Samburu Special Five includes the Gerenuk, a Reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali Ostrich, and Beisa Oryx.

Apart from the Samburu special 5, the reserve hosts some of Kenya's rarest species, such as the striped hyena, Civet cat, and African wild dog. Other wildlife species found in Samburu National Reserve include elephants, lions, hippopotami, cape buffalo, African leopards, cheetahs, olive baboons, warthogs, Grant's gazelle, kirk's dik-dik, impala, and waterbucks. The unique wildlife in Samburu can be encountered during the game viewing experience through the acacia, riverine, and grassland vegetation that dominates the park's landscape.

2. Beautiful Camps

There are some truly beautiful camps in Samburu. Inside the Samburu National Reserve, Elephant Bedroom Camp is the perfect choice for those looking for an authentic tented camp in the heart of the game (named so because herds of elephants like to come and browse around the unfenced camp). Outside the park, Sasaab and Saruni Samburu offer the ultimate luxury in unique, untouched landscapes.

3. Bird Watching

With more than 350 different bird species, Samburu is a great place for birdwatchers to go birdwatching. A diverse array of bird species can be observed there, including the chestnut-headed sparrow lark, pink-breasted lark, pygmy batis, ashy cisticola, secretary bird of the Northern Brownbul, mariqua sunbird, chestnut weaver, golden-breasted starling, and hunter's sunbird.

4. Singing Wells

Samburu National Reserve is a former residential area for the Samburu people living along the reserve's border. These people are livestock herders, and each morning, they head to the family well to draw water for their livestock. While collecting water, they sing songs with a unique tune, which is recognized by the cattle to come and drink water. While on the game drive, you will encounter the singing locals.

During droughts, the Samburu and their livestock walk miles searching for water. On a safari in Samburu National Park, travelers encounter large herds of cattle, goats, and sheep in the bush. Meeting the Samburu people who protect the livestock and interfacing with them gives an insight into the local lifestyle.

5. Meet the Samburu tribe

A Kenya safari is completed with a visit to Samburu National Reserve, where tourists can experience the nomadic pastoralists. The Samburu are among the unique few tribes in Kenya that have not yet been spoilt by technology or Western culture.

On a Kenya safari, the tourists enjoy the Samburu's traditional lifestyle, like the rituals, tribal clothing, and religious beliefs, and the tourists enjoy visiting the Samburu caves full of historical rock art. The Samburu people depend on milk and blood as their diet, supported by tubers, vegetables, and roots. Samburu people also have an impressive dressing code: the red cloth "shuka" that they wrap themselves and a white sash, then with many color necklaces, earrings, and bracelets for both genders. Tourists also enjoy the Samburu dances, which are informed of the circles. These are friendly and good people, which makes the visitors on a cultural visit feel free with them and like not leaving Samburu National Reserve.

6. Camelback Rides

The Samburu National Reserve is a popular destination for camelback rides. Riding camels offers visitors a unique way to explore the reserve's routes, get up close and personal with animals, and record or take pictures.

7. Nature Walks

This activity refers to a walk on a nature trail, mostly with an experienced guide. Samburu offers two types of nature walks: walks around the camp and outside the wildlife reserve. Walking around the camp takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, while walks outside the wildlife reserve take approximately 2 to 3 hours.

8. Intriguing Landscape

Though Samburu National Reserve is famously known for its amazing wildlife species, it also has some of the most colorful and remarkable landscapes. The beautiful scenery makes the reserve one of the best destinations to visit in Kenya for scenery viewing and excellent nature photography. The Landscape of Samburu National Reserve comprises a mixture of savannah, acacia, riverine forest, thorn trees, grassland vegetation, and mountains.

The beautiful landscape and a brown meandering river between the bonus trees create the jaw-dropping scenery in Samburu National Reserve. The sunrises and sunsets in Samburu National Reserve are a magical experience. For years, most of the best photogenic wildlife pictures and award-winning photos have been shot in Samburu with wildlife and landscape in the background.

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9. Game viewing 

Game drives in Samburu National Park are an outstanding safari activity. They are best done early in the morning while animals are still active, and it can be the greatest time for them to look for food and in the afternoon when they have gathered around water sources and under shades. Samburu National Reserve also offers full-day game drives, the finest way to experience wildlife at its fullest, as you experience how the wildlife live, feed, and relax. The special five (Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich, Gravy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, and Gerenuk, as well as elephants, lions, leopards, waterbucks, and warthogs among others, are some of the animal species to be explored on the game drive.

The Ewaso Ny'iro River is the best spot for safari game drives in the reserve. Game drives in Samburu National Reserve are conducted in the comfort of 4WD safari vehicles and under the close supervision of a game ranger/guide.

10. River Ewaso Ny'iro

Ewaso Ny'iro is one of Kenya's largest rivers and a vital water source for Samburu's impressive wildlife. The river features superb riverine forest as it flows north to east across Somalia to meet with the river Jubba. River Ewaso Ny'iro is a haven for many Nile crocodiles and hippos and a great spot for wildlife viewing because various mammals congregate at the river to drink water.

11. Unique and Less crowded

Samburu National Reserve is special, unique, and less crowded. While many travelers opt for the southern national game parks as first-timers and desire the awesome wildebeest migration experience with a combination of Amboseli National Park, the northern area of Kenya is less thought about keeping its crowd minimal and less congested. A few return guests make their way to Samburu, while these are few. Being in Samburu is a special feeling as fewer vehicles roam the park or on special wildlife sightings. How special would it feel as other big tourists roam in other parks as you have all the needed space being few or alone in the national reserve? It feels very special.

12. Exclusive Feeling

Samburu National Reserve is one of the few Kenya safari destinations that are less visited, thus offering an exclusive, unique, and species safari experience to travelers visiting Kenya. Samburu National Reserve is situated in the northern region of Kenya, which is less than other protected areas in the same region.

Samburu National Reserve is the perfect destination for travelers who prefer less crowds during their Kenya safari. Only a few vehicles are allowed in the reserve, which gives you a special feeling as you spot many animals roaming around. Samburu National Reserve offers more, so it should be included in the list of destinations to visit on a Kenya safari.
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