Samburu Game Reserve
Welcome to Samburu Game Reserve
The insider's travel guide to Samburu Game ReserveFar 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.
The Samburu Game Reserve atlas
7 picks Places & Experiences You Won't Find Elsewhere-
Best for: authentic cultural experiences In my opinion, Sabache Eco Camp is probably the most interesting and authentic experience in Samburu and beyond. The camp is run by the local Samburu community with a welcoming, down-to-earth atmosphere. The tents are spacious and comfortable with en-suite bathrooms, though if the water’s not working, it’s usually because the monkeys have been tampering with the stopcocks… I’ve stayed here several times, and I always enjoy the peace. The best rooms are just above the dining area – a bit of a climb but with great views. On one of my visits, I had the incredible experience of seeing a small herd of elephants quietly moving through the camp under the cover of night. It was surreal, catching glimpses of these enormous creatures by the light of our head torches. For a real adventure, I’d recommend fly camping at the summit of Mount Ololokwe. Watching the sunrise over the Mathews Range and Mount Kenya is unforgettable. Plus, the vultures soaring past on thermal currents are a sight to behold. If you have time, visit the nearby Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. It’s a short drive from Sabache, and you can watch the Samburu team feed orphaned elephants and see how they prepare the milk formula for them.
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Best for: wildlife enthusiasts and unique experiences I usually recommend the authentic and intimate Elephant Bedroom camp for visitors coming to Samburu. The camp is set in a perfect location, right on the Ewaso Nyiro River, with sweeping views that are hard to beat. The tented rooms are raised on stilts, which gives you an extra sense of being immersed in nature. It’s one of the few places where you can hear the sounds of elephants right outside your tent, as they often wander through or graze near the camp, and since it’s unfenced, you’re really part of the wilderness. One of my most memorable moments was when we were having lunch below the main terrace by the river and had to quickly abandon it when an inquisitive elephant came to join us. It's those kinds of moments that make this place special. Sundowners after the afternoon game drive are always a delight, as you reflect on the day while surrounded by the sounds of the bush.
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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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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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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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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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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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Sabache Eco Camp
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Elephant Bedroom Camp
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Sasaab Camp
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Umoja Village Camp
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Elephant Watch Camp
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Saruni Samburu
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Saruni Rhino Camp
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