Samburu Holidays
Samburu
Holidays
Kenya's most remote and exclusive safari — rare northern species, the Ewaso Nyiro River and extraordinary Samburu culture
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Flight Time
8–9h to Nairobi, then 45min domestic flight to Samburu
Best Time
January to February & June to October (dry seasons)
Country
Kenya
Suppliers
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Samburu Holiday Guide
Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya is one of Africa's most exclusive and rewarding safari destinations — a dramatic semi-arid landscape home to the 'Samburu Special Five' species found nowhere else in Kenya. Less visited than the Maasai Mara, Samburu offers a more intimate and exclusive safari experience.
Getting there: Fly from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to Samburu airstrip (45 minutes, Safarilink and Air Kenya operate daily flights). The drive from Nairobi takes approximately 5-6 hours on tarmac and dirt roads. Most lodges include airstrip transfers in their packages.
Samburu is often combined with the Maasai Mara in a 10-14 night Kenya safari — fly between the two parks (1.5 hours) rather than driving. The Laikipia Plateau (Ol Pejeta, Lewa, Borana) is an excellent addition between Samburu and Nairobi.
The best time to visit is the dry seasons — January to February and June to October. The semi-arid climate means Samburu is drier than the Mara and can be visited even during the rainy seasons (April-May and November) when the Mara can be muddy.
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Popular Areas in Samburu
Average Temperatures
Jan
30°C
Feb
31°C
Mar
31°C
Apr
28°C
May
26°C
Jun
25°C
Jul
24°C
Aug
25°C
Sep
27°C
Oct
28°C
Nov
28°C
Dec
29°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Samburu
The rare northern species, dramatic river wildlife, leopard sightings and exclusive safari atmosphere that make Samburu one of Kenya's most rewarding and least-crowded destinations.
The Samburu Special Five — Unique Northern Species
Samburu is famous for the 'Samburu Special Five' — five species found in northern Kenya but not in the Maasai Mara or Amboseli. The reticulated giraffe (the most beautiful giraffe subspecies, with a distinctive geometric pattern), Grevy's zebra (the largest zebra, with narrow stripes), Beisa oryx (a large antelope with long straight horns), Somali ostrich (the male has blue-grey legs rather than pink) and gerenuk (a long-necked gazelle that stands on its hind legs to browse). All five are regularly seen on game drives.
Leopard — Among Kenya's Best Sightings
Samburu has some of the best leopard sightings in Kenya — the dense acacia woodland along the Ewaso Nyiro River is prime leopard habitat, and the reserve's leopards are highly habituated to vehicles. Leopards are seen regularly on game drives, often resting in acacia trees or dragging kills into the branches. The Samburu leopards have been studied by researchers for decades — guides can identify individuals by their spot patterns.
Ewaso Nyiro River — Wildlife Corridor
The Ewaso Nyiro River is the lifeline of Samburu — the only permanent water source in this semi-arid landscape, attracting extraordinary concentrations of wildlife year-round. Large herds of elephant (some of the largest in Kenya) come to drink and bathe at the river, enormous Nile crocodiles bask on the banks, hippos wallow in the deeper pools and a remarkable variety of waterbirds line the riverbanks. The river is the best place in Samburu for elephant and crocodile viewing.
Reticulated Giraffe — The Most Beautiful
The reticulated giraffe is the most beautiful of the nine giraffe subspecies — a striking animal with a distinctive geometric pattern of large, clearly defined patches separated by narrow white lines, like a stained-glass window. Samburu has one of the largest populations of reticulated giraffe in the world. The giraffes are completely habituated to vehicles and can be observed at very close range — often feeding from the tops of acacia trees alongside the game drive tracks.
Samburu Culture — Warriors of the North
The Samburu people are closely related to the Maasai — semi-nomadic pastoralists who have lived in northern Kenya for centuries, herding cattle, camels and goats across the arid landscape. The Samburu warriors (moran) are famous for their elaborate beadwork, ochre-painted hair and jumping dances. Most lodges offer visits to Samburu villages and cultural experiences — learning about traditional medicine, beadwork and the warrior initiation ceremonies.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy — Rhino & Chimpanzees
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the Laikipia Plateau (2 hours from Samburu) is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and home to the last two northern white rhinos in the world (Najin and Fatu, both female — the subspecies is functionally extinct). The conservancy also has the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya (rescued chimps from West and Central Africa), as well as lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and the Big Five. An excellent addition to a Samburu safari.
Gerenuk — The Giraffe Gazelle
The gerenuk is one of the most extraordinary antelopes in Africa — a long-necked gazelle that stands upright on its hind legs to browse from the tops of acacia bushes, using its front legs for balance. The gerenuk is found only in the arid zones of East Africa and Samburu is one of the best places in Kenya to see them. The name 'gerenuk' comes from the Somali word for 'giraffe-necked'. Gerenuks are frequently seen in small groups browsing along the game drive tracks.
Exclusive Safari — Fewer Vehicles, Better Guiding
Samburu is significantly less visited than the Maasai Mara — the reserve receives a fraction of the visitor numbers, meaning game drives are more intimate and exclusive. It is common to have a leopard or lion sighting entirely to yourself, with no other vehicles. The lodges in Samburu (Sasaab, Elephant Bedroom Camp, Saruni Samburu) are among the most exclusive in Kenya, with outstanding guiding and a genuine sense of remoteness and wilderness.
Explore Samburu on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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