Ewaso Nyiro River - Samburu Game Reserve

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu Reserve, established in 1985, is an arid, hilly region with riverine forests, doum palms, acacia woodland and scrubland, offering a dramatic and rugged landscape in a rather remote location of Kenya - which is precisely the attraction of this reserve - fewer tourists in a wildlife rich, desert like setting amidst a colourful local tribe - The Samburu People. Samburu National Reserve is situated on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in the dry northern reaches of Kenya.

The presence of the Ewaso Nyiro river (shared by Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves) - and its shady trees - attracts plenty of wildlife. Giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck and zebra (including the endangered Grevy's zebra) from the surrounding savannah plains trek to the water. Lion, leopard and cheetah are also quite easy to spot, thanks in part to the lack of grass cover.

Reticulated Giraffes fighting - Samburu Game Reserve
Reticulated Giraffes fighting - Samburu Game Reserve

Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs Reserves is also home to large herds of elephants, and the odd, yet distinguished looking, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich, Grevy's Zebra, Beisa oryx and reticulated giraffe. For the birders, around 365 species have been recorded and the river area is particularly rewarding.

Grevy's Zebras - Samburu Game Reserve
Grevy's Zebras - Samburu Game Reserve

Samburu National Reserve also offers superb bird-watching (around 365 species have been recorded) with numerous weaver birds, the martial eagle and the blue legged Somali ostrich.