Here are the top reasons why you should visit Samburu National Reserve. Samburu National Reserve is located in Samburu County, on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River. It borders Buffalo Springs National Reserve and Shaba National Reserve, which are both on the other side of the river, as well as the Kalama Community Conservancy, so you can easily combine visits to these parks. The Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy is also just a little further north.
Home to the rare northern unique five species (Grevy zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and the Beisa oryx), this craggy, rugged region unfolds a romantic, awe-inspiring safari experience. And this is one of the few parks where you have a good chance of spotting African wild dogs. For bird lovers, the reserve presents a constant display of exciting avian life – over 450 species. On game drives over the savannah, through acacia forest and riverine vegetation, there will be numerous opportunities to view kingfishers, marabous, vultures, guinea fowl, Somali ostrich, egret, falcon and eagle.
But despite the active wildlife here, the reserve gives off a sense of tranquillity and a peaceful feeling. Some attribute this to the fact that Samburu is relatively remote and initially inaccessible as other parks developed. It is also a land of magical possibilities – this was one of two regions in which Joy Adamson raised and nurtured Elsa the lioness, whose story was told in the book and movie, “Born Free”. Samburu was also home to another renowned lioness, Kamunyak (“Blessed One”) who is famous for having adopted at least 6 oryx calves. She fought off predators to save her young orphans as seen in the film, “Heart of a Lioness”.
Reasons Why You Should Visit Samburu National Reserve
1. Singing Wells
The singing well experience often occurs first thing in the early morning, apart from the rest of the day open for surveying the Namanyak area. Camel treks, game drives and game drives are all in the area, and the nearest water hole and secret hide mere moments from camp. When you are not surveying, take a dip in the natural rock pool that is fed by a mountain spring, and cast back on your view over Northern Kenya’s mountain landscape. Namunyak is the place on this earth where can witness the local Samburu traditions at the singing wells. Almost daily, the dry riverbed near Sarara Camp is mined for water by the Samburu.
2. Unique Wildlife
Forget the ‘Big 5’. In Samburu, you can tick off a rather more exclusive wildlife list. The Samburu Special 5 are unique animals endemic to this area. Where else will you see an antelope walking on its hind legs to feed on high tree branches? Samburu is also home to some of Kenya’s rarest species, such as the striped hyena, civet cat and African wild dog. It’s an excellent place for elephants too, and let’s face it, who doesn’t love an elephant? Wildlife in Samburu is surprisingly abundant. You won’t be tripping over it like you will on a Masai Mara safari, but sightings here are perhaps even more rewarding because you (or your guides!) have to work a little harder for them.
3. Samburu People
The Samburu people are some of the friendliest in Kenya. Samburu is a sub-tribe of the Maasai and does speak their dialect of Maa language. They are known for their traditionalist lifestyle that is to say rituals, religious beliefs and tribal clothing. The Samburu believed in only one God thought to reside in nature, making offerings and also prayers which are important for rainfall and livestock. They come from the Nirotic group who settled in the North of Mount Kenya and south of Lake Turkana.
4. Intriguing Landscape
Most people go on safari for the animals, but for us, the landscape is equally important. It’s the scenery that sets Samburu apart from other reserves in Kenya. The diversity of the savannah, forests and mountains is a beautiful combination, and it’s exciting to have land-forms on the horizon rather than just miles and miles of grassland plains
5. Cultural Visits
The Samburu people are well known for their many unique cultural practices as well as traditions. Some of these originate from their nomadic way of life. Many tourists are willing to know how much it costs to visit Samburu village. The price for a village visit includes a contribution towards the village in the form of a fee as well as return road transfers from your camp in Samburu to the village. The price is usually lower when you are on the road safari with your Driver Guide who is responsible for paying the fee upon entry.
6. Game viewing
The majority of visitors to the Samburu region come to go on safari. You can drive yourself through the park if you have your vehicle (4X4). Otherwise, all hotels/camps can arrange for game drives. Game drives are usually included in the prices of luxury hotels. Most morning and afternoon game drives last about 3 hours. However, full-day excursions into the park are also possible. Gates open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. if driving yourself, but may open earlier or later in exceptional circumstances.
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 that is to say; nature walks around the camp and outside the wildlife reserve. The time for walks around the camp is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour while nature walks outside the wildlife is approximately 2 to 3 hours.
8. Bird Watching
Samburu National Park is known to be with more than 390 bird species recorded and Buffalo Springs national reserves. The park offers birding opportunities and it is known as an important birding area in Kenya.
9. Exclusive Feeling
The Samburu National Reserve isn’t one of the most visited wildlife areas in Kenya, thus making it feel much more exclusive than its southern sisters. There are fewer lodges which mean fewer tourists and far less competition during game viewing. At times it felt like we were the only people in reserve during our drives, and it was so refreshing to come across some new-born baby lions, a tree-climbing leopard or enjoy a bush breakfast without a dozen other safari vehicles all zooming up for a share of the sighting.
10. Beautiful Camps
There are some truly beautiful camps in Samburu. Inside the 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 and untouched landscapes.