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Elephants Samburu Park in central Kenya
Kenya Samburu Traditional Samburu women in Kenya
Giraffe at Samburu National Reserve Kenya

Far removed from mainstream Kenyan safari, the three interconnected reserves of Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba have a wild reputation.

The landscape here is harsh with endless sunburnt plains of acacia thornbush out of which rise the occasional fertile and densely forested mountain peaks, ranges, table lands and volcanic plugs.

The Samburu are a nomadic people who have lived within the Samburu Game Reserve for centuries. Make sure to visit Samburu villages if you come to the Reserve – unlike other parts of Kenya, the interaction is non-commercial and non-invasive.

For safaris in Samburu, elephants, in particular, are the main event. There are large herds who tend to migrate huge distances in search of water.

But there are also a few lion prides, leopards, lots of baboons, superb birding and some unusual desert adapted species such as gerenuk, the beautiful reticulated giraffe, the finely striped Grevy’s zebra and the blue-legged Somali ostrich.

Until they were poached out, Northern Kenya was home to huge numbers of black rhino but the good news is that today even those are back – but only in one highly protected location.

Hidden gems in Samburu Game Reserve

Samburu Game Reserve

Sasaab Camp

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

Just to the west of Samburu Reserve, Westgate Conservancy is a continuation of the same landscapes, but with just one dreamy camp, Sasaab, which is operated by The Safari Collection and whose huge ‘tents’ have a distinctly Moroccan touch.

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Samburu Game Reserve

Umoja Village Camp

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

Just outside the Samburu reserve entrance, and on the edge of Archer’s Post village is the Umoja Village Camp. A very simple riverside campsite that also has some traditional cottages to rent, it’s part of a womens’ help NGO. Superb bush walks can be organised from here.

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Samburu Game Reserve

Elephant Watch Camp

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

The bulk of the accommodation is located within Samburu National Reserve and there’s plenty of choice. I can highly recommend Elephant Watch Camp, which is run by renowned elephant experts, the Douglas-Hamilton’s. It's a pricy, "eco luxury" tented camp but is exceptional for its populations of wild elephants.

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Samburu Game Reserve

Saruni Samburu

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

There’s only one lodge within the Kalama conservancy, immediately to the north of Samburu Reserve, and it’s likely going to be one of the most spectacular places you’ll ever stay. Built into, around and onto a huge granite outcrop, Saruni Samburu is almost invisible from a distance but the stunningly turned out rooms offer a cliff side view over what feels like half of northern Kenya.

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Samburu Game Reserve

Saruni Rhino Camp

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

This camp in the Sera Conservancy, just north of the Samburu Reserve in northern Kenya occupies a stunning location in the semi-desert. Their specialism is a thrilling rhino tracking walking safari, probably my favourite place to see rhinos in all Kenya. I spent five days here and by the end still couldn’t decide if coming within ten metres of the steamroller-like rhinos was thrilling or simply terrifying!

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Samburu Game Reserve tours

Classic Kenya Safari
Kenya

Classic Kenya Safari

Discover the allure of Kenya
10 days From $2,699 pp
Kenya & Tanzania Safari
East Africa

Kenya & Tanzania Safari

Visit the gems of East Africa: the Masai Mara & the Serengeti
15 days From $3,999 pp
Samburu Frontier, Lake Nakuru Paradise & Masai Mara Wildlife Park
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Samburu Frontier, Lake Nakuru Paradise & Masai Mara Wildlife Park

6 days From $2,286 pp
Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Samburu
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Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Samburu

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Samburu Safari From Nairobi
Samburu Game Reserve

Samburu Safari From Nairobi

4 days From $2,210 pp
Samburu, Rhinos and Mara Safari
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Samburu, Rhinos and Mara Safari

8 days From $5,880 pp

Samburu Game Reserve travel companies

Kenya

Odyssey Safaris

Creating unforgettable experiences in East Africa
Africa

Wild Frontiers

Safaris into East, West and Southern Africa
East Africa

Natural World Kenya Safaris

The leader in customized and budget-friendly East Africa safaris
Africa

Take Me To Africa

Experts in small group travel to Africa
East Africa

Beyond Travel

Uganda-based safari specialist
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Wilber Safari Holidays

East Africa

Ease My Safari

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Dael Tours

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