Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve is in the southeastern corner of Samburu District in the Great Rift Valley. It’s situated alongside the Ewaso Nyiro River. The reserve is rich in wildlife and here you can see the rarer northern species of game.
What is affectionately known as the ‘Samburu Special Five. Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa oryx. You can also expect to see elephants and the large predators such as the lion, leopard and cheetah. Wild dogs are plentiful here, and with over 450 species of birds, it’s a birdwatcher’s dream, too!
The reserve was also home to ‘Kamunyak’. The famous lioness who adopted the baby oryx. Samburu National Reserve is a smart choice.
Best time to visit
January and February is followed by the typical long rains from the end of March through to May, sometimes pushing into early June. Rainfall can be unreliable, sometimes showering every day persistently, and other times only raining in the afternoon or early evening. No matter what the pattern, it will however impact your safari activities. Although the park sees new life in every area during these months, the roads are often extremely challenging and visitors are at a low, and for the right reasons.
The long and dry season between July and October is definitely the best time to head to this area, as guests can enjoy sunny, blue skies with almost no rain. During these months, water is limited due to the absence of rainfall, so the animals tend to congregate along the Ewaso Nyiro River which is perfect for game viewing.
November and December sees the short rains. Visitor numbers inside the park tend to be lower, which we think, is a blessing! Before the rains arrive however, temperatures can be pretty high as the humidity builds up, ready for a heavy downpour. For bird lovers, October to April the best time to visit, as resident avifauna are joined by a range of migratory species.
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