Samburu Game Reserve



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
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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Umoja Village Camp
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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Elephant Watch Camp
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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Saruni Samburu
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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Saruni Rhino Camp
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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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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