Samburu

Samburu National Reserve lies 325km north of Nairobi – a 6 hour drive or 1 hour flight. The reserve is within the lands of the colourful Samburu people, in the hot arid northern region of Kenya. The landscape here is one hills and plains, parched by the equatorial sun, and dissected by the wide and sluggish Ewaso Ngiro River. The river is fringed with giant acacias, figs and doum palms, providing shade and sustenance to the animals which come to drink here.

The reserve is home to a number of wildlife species rarely found elsewhere in large numbers – including the reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and Grey’s zebra – all species only found north of the equator. Samburu is also home to the long-necked gerenuk antelope – which stands on its hind legs to feed, as well as lions, leopards and big herds of elephants. The river has a large population of crocodile seen on sandbanks at almost every bend. In the lower reaches, where permanent pools have formed, are hippo.

There are several very good tented camps and safari lodges in the Samburu region.