Tours in Samburu National Reserve
Home to almost 1,000 elephants and 450 species of birds, Samburu National Reserve is a dream come true for wildlife lovers, offering unforgettable safari experiences across its expansive plains and riverine forests of acacia.
Enjoy a luxurious stay at the Elephant Bedroom Camp Lodge as part of our three-day Fly-in Safari, taking in awe-inspiring views of thriving riverine forests, vast plains and towering Mount Kenya before sipping sundowners from your veranda. Located on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River, all manner of fascinating wildlife make their way to its waters to quench their thirst, while basking crocodiles keep a watchful eye. At day break, you'll join a thrilling 4x4 game drive through the reserve in search of the Samburu Special Five, consisting of the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, the Somali ostrich, the beisa oryx and the Gerenuk antelope.
Wind down with a dip in your own private plunge pool, before dining under the stars; the night air alive with the chirping of crickets.
Alternatively, combine your Samburu safari experience with a journey through the vast Great Rift Valley as part of our Treasures of Kenya tour. Gaze up at the 237-foot cascade of Thomson Falls and admire the dazzling pink flamingos gathered around Lake Nakuru's alkaline shallows. Embark on exhilarating game experiences through the Masai Mara, offering you the chance to witness up to 1.5 million wildebeest and antelope as part of the Great Annual Wildebeest Migration across the Kenya savannahs.
The Saruni Experience with Rhino Tracking Tour
The Saruni Collection is a group of luxurious individual lodges and tented camps located in some of Kenya's most beautiful and private wildlife conservancies. These lodges not only offer fantastic wildlife spotting opportunities but they also provide elegant comfort while...
"Keep your eyes peeled – leopards often climb into trees to rest, take shelter from the midday sun, and scope out their prey."
"Bird-watchers should listen out for the distinct, scratchy calls of the yellow-necked bird spurfowl, as well as the singing of the vulturine guineafowl."
"Keep in mind that the nights can get rather chilly – especially if you head out on a nocturnal safari excursion. Make sure to pack extra layers to keep warm."
What currency should I bring to Kenya?
The official currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling. It is recommended you convert your currency prior to arrival, as conversion rates may not be favourable. Cash machines are widely available throughout Nairobi, but as you venture further from the city and more populous towns, you might find it difficult to locate one. Credit cards are accepted across Nairobi and in many lodges, but please remember some banks will charge international usage and withdrawal fees.
What language is spoken in Kenya?
The official languages of Kenya are Swahili and English. While English is widely spoken throughout Nairobi – being the language of commerce and government – a Swahili phrasebook can ease communication in more remote areas.
When is the best time to visit Samburu National Reserve?
During the long dry season (between July and October), animals from across the park congregate around the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River, making it easier to spot the Samburu Special Five, as well as lions, elephants and Cape buffalo.
Overlooked by the Great Rift Valley – and with a diverse range of rugged, wild landscapes spanning imposing mountains, dense woodlands, and swampy marshes – a scenic safari through Samburu National Reserve offers an impressive array of wildlife encounters.
Why you'll love Samburu National Reserve
• Watching elephants cross the Ewaso Ng'iro river from the comfort of your luxury lodge
• Embarking on exhilarating 4x4 game drives in search of Samburu's own Special Five
• Viewing Samburu from above, as part of a fly-in safari
• Hiking the nearby Koitogor and Ololokwe mountains for panoramic views of the Kenyan plains
• Sipping on a chilled drink etc etc after a day of hot and dusty excitement on the plains
• Cooling off in the plunge pools of the Elephant Bedroom Camp Lodge
• Witnessing the Great Annual Wildebeest Migration at the Masai Mara on a combined Kenyan safari tour
• Samburu National Reserve is where award-winning conservationists George and Joy Adamson reared Elsa the Lioness, the lioness on which their best-selling book and critically acclaimed film Born Free was based.
• Nearby Thomson Falls is featured in the 1998 television adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel The Man in the Brown Suit.
• The people of Samburu have their own calendar to identify drought seasons and rituals. 'Elders' of the tribe are believed to have a mystical knowledge of these events and are often consulted ahead of tribal events.