Samburu National Reserve
Home to the world's most endangered zebra species
- Region
- Safari
- Best months
- Jan to Feb, Jun to OctDry Seasons
- Park fee from
- USD 85Non-resident adult
- Where to stay
- 11 properties
What is Samburu known for?
Samburu County Reserve · Flat fees · Northern Kenya's Special Five
Samburu National Reserve is a 165 km² reserve in northern Kenya along the Ewaso Ng'iro River. It is known for the Samburu Special Five: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and gerenuk, species not found in the southern parks. The permanent river holds wildlife all year; June to October and January to February are best.
Samburu National Reserve is Kenya's wild north, a rugged, sun-baked wilderness along the Ewaso Ng'iro River that flows through dramatic semi-arid terrain unlike anywhere else in the country. At 165 km², Samburu is relatively compact but exceptional in its wildlife diversity, offering species found nowhere else in Kenya.
The reserve is famous for its 'Special Five', species unique to this northern ecosystem: the reticulated giraffe (the most beautiful of all giraffe subspecies, with bold geometric patterning), Grevy's zebra (the world's most endangered zebra, with narrow stripes and large rounded ears), Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and the gerenuk, an elegant long-necked antelope that stands on its hind legs to browse.
The Ewaso Ng'iro River acts as a lifeline for the reserve, drawing elephants, lions, leopards, crocodiles, and hippos to its banks. Leopards are particularly well habituated in Samburu and among the most reliably spotted in all of Kenya. The doum palm-fringed riverbanks create a quintessentially northern landscape of great photographic beauty.
Samburu is most often combined with a Maasai Mara or Laikipia safari to create a compelling north-south Kenya itinerary showcasing the remarkable diversity of Kenyan ecosystems.
Samburu National Reserve in pictures
When is the best time to visit Samburu?
- January: Dry Seasons
- February: Dry Seasons
- March: Green Season
- April: Green Season
- May: Green Season
- June: Dry Seasons
- July: Dry Seasons
- August: Dry Seasons
- September: Dry Seasons
- October: Dry Seasons
- November: Green Season (this month)
- December: no season named
- Dry Seasons
- Green Season
- This month
Year-Round
Samburu's permanent river ensures wildlife viewing throughout the year.
Dry Seasons
Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct
Best game viewing. Animals concentrate along the Ewaso Ng'iro River. Hot but excellent visibility. Peak Big Cat sightings.
Green Season
Mar to May, Nov
Fewer tourists, lush landscapes, exceptional birding including many Palearctic migrants. Some tracks can become muddy after heavy rains.
How much are Samburu park fees?
| Category | Non-resident | EA citizen | EA resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | USD 85 / 24hrs | KES 1,200 | KES 1,620 |
| Child, 5 to 17 | USD 50 / 24hrs | KES 600 | KES 810 |
| Under 5 | Free | Free | Free |
County-managed (NOT KWS). Cash USD or M-Pesa at gate. Fees subject to change without KWS notice, always confirm with operator before travel. East African residents qualify for reduced rates with valid ID.
Park fees are not included in accommodation rates and are added at quotation stage. Effective October 2025, reverified annually.
Where to stay in Samburu
Luxury, 6 properties
LuxuryFull board
Soroi Samburu Lodge
Lodge
A Soroi Collection lodge in the Samburu National Reserve area, with standard rooms, superior/family rooms and an executive villa, priced on full board and ground-package bases. Full description and photography pending.
LuxuryFull board
Elephant Bedroom Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 12 tents
Inside Reserve, Ewaso Ng'iro River
Tucked into riparian forest on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River, 12 spacious tents with private verandas overlooking the river where elephants drink throughout the day. Run by Atua Enkop ('from the earth of Africa') with a genuine spirit of authenticity. Known for exceptional, deeply knowledgeable guiding and an intimate river-camp atmosphere. The forest setting provides dramatic contrast with the semi-arid plains and outstanding birding alongside the Samburu Special Five.
LuxuryFull board
Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs
Luxury Tented Camp · 8 tents
Loisaba Conservancy, Laikipia Plateau (north of Samburu)
An ultra-private Elewana Collection property on the vast Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia, 8 tented rooms perched on a hilltop with 360-degree views stretching to Mount Kenya. Each room has a personal Guest Ambassador providing butler-level service in a conservancy that protects lions, Grevy's zebra, wild dog, and elephant on a landscape scale. The famous Loisaba Star Beds, hand-carved wooden beds on wheels rolled onto open platforms for sleeping under the stars, are an extraordinary add-on available to guests.
LuxuryFull board
Larsens Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 20 tents
Inside Reserve, Ewaso Ng'iro River, shaded grove
The most established luxury camp inside the reserve, 20 sturdy tented rooms in a lush grove of acacia and fig trees on the riverbank, refreshed by river breezes and the sounds of birdsong and river wildlife. Operated by Sanctuary Retreats and known for an engaging, genuinely warm team of long-serving staff. The camp's proximity to the river's productive wildlife zone makes it an excellent base for morning and evening game drives into one of Kenya's most reliable wildlife reserves. Particularly good for families.
LuxuryFull board
Saruni Samburu
Boutique Lodge · 6 villas
Kalama Conservancy, clifftop, panoramic position
One of the most dramatically positioned lodges in Kenya, 6 open-fronted villas on a rocky clifftop in the exclusive Kalama Conservancy with panoramic views stretching across the semi-arid northern landscape that feel impossibly vast. An infinity pool appears to pour off the edge of the world. Known for extraordinary personalised service, exclusive game drives in the conservancy, and warrior-led walking safaris with Samburu guides. Consistently rated by operators as the finest lodge in northern Kenya. Not for travellers who want conventional safari proximity, this is about landscape and exclusivity.
LuxuryFull board
Sasaab
Luxury Lodge · 9 suites
Westgate Conservancy, Ewaso Ng'iro River ridge
The most architecturally striking camp in northern Kenya, Moroccan-inspired whitewashed architecture perched on a ridge above the Ewaso Ng'iro River with each of the 9 suites exceeding 100 square metres and featuring a private plunge pool and a four-poster bed positioned for maximum landscape drama. The views from Sasaab's ridge at sunrise, stretching across the Laikipia Plateau toward Mount Kenya, are among the finest in East Africa. Camel safaris, helicopter excursions, and an award-winning spa complement exceptional game drives into the reserve.
Show all 6 luxury staysShow fewer
LuxuryFull board
Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs
Luxury Tented Camp · 8 tents
Loisaba Conservancy, Laikipia Plateau (north of Samburu)
An ultra-private Elewana Collection property on the vast Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia, 8 tented rooms perched on a hilltop with 360-degree views stretching to Mount Kenya. Each room has a personal Guest Ambassador providing butler-level service in a conservancy that protects lions, Grevy's zebra, wild dog, and elephant on a landscape scale. The famous Loisaba Star Beds, hand-carved wooden beds on wheels rolled onto open platforms for sleeping under the stars, are an extraordinary add-on available to guests.
LuxuryFull board
Larsens Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 20 tents
Inside Reserve, Ewaso Ng'iro River, shaded grove
The most established luxury camp inside the reserve, 20 sturdy tented rooms in a lush grove of acacia and fig trees on the riverbank, refreshed by river breezes and the sounds of birdsong and river wildlife. Operated by Sanctuary Retreats and known for an engaging, genuinely warm team of long-serving staff. The camp's proximity to the river's productive wildlife zone makes it an excellent base for morning and evening game drives into one of Kenya's most reliable wildlife reserves. Particularly good for families.
LuxuryFull board
Saruni Samburu
Boutique Lodge · 6 villas
Kalama Conservancy, clifftop, panoramic position
One of the most dramatically positioned lodges in Kenya, 6 open-fronted villas on a rocky clifftop in the exclusive Kalama Conservancy with panoramic views stretching across the semi-arid northern landscape that feel impossibly vast. An infinity pool appears to pour off the edge of the world. Known for extraordinary personalised service, exclusive game drives in the conservancy, and warrior-led walking safaris with Samburu guides. Consistently rated by operators as the finest lodge in northern Kenya. Not for travellers who want conventional safari proximity, this is about landscape and exclusivity.
LuxuryFull board
Sasaab
Luxury Lodge · 9 suites
Westgate Conservancy, Ewaso Ng'iro River ridge
The most architecturally striking camp in northern Kenya, Moroccan-inspired whitewashed architecture perched on a ridge above the Ewaso Ng'iro River with each of the 9 suites exceeding 100 square metres and featuring a private plunge pool and a four-poster bed positioned for maximum landscape drama. The views from Sasaab's ridge at sunrise, stretching across the Laikipia Plateau toward Mount Kenya, are among the finest in East Africa. Camel safaris, helicopter excursions, and an award-winning spa complement exceptional game drives into the reserve.
Mid-range, 5 properties
Mid-rangeFull board
Sarova Shaba Game Lodge
Lodge
A Sarova Hotels ground-package lodge in the Shaba National Reserve area (Samburu ecosystem), priced the same way as its sister property Sarova Mara Game Camp. Full description and photography pending.
Mid-rangeFull board
Ashnil Samburu Camp
Tented Camp · 30 tents
Inside Reserve, Ewaso Ng'iro River
A compact midrange camp inside the reserve with 30 tents on raised platforms offering nearly 360-degree views from each private veranda. The Ashnil brand is known for clean, comfortable tented accommodation at accessible prices with honest, professional service. The river proximity means wildlife sightings from camp are common. A reliable choice for travellers who want to be inside the reserve at a midrange price point with the comfort of en-suite facilities.
Mid-rangeFull board
Samburu Game Lodge
Permanent Lodge · 57 rooms
Inside Reserve, Ewaso Ng'iro River, historic
The oldest lodge in Samburu, a historic property that has welcomed guests since the 1960s, set directly on the Ewaso Ng'iro River with crocodiles and elephants visible from the dining terrace. A larger, hotel-scale operation known for its colonial atmosphere, reliable service, and very direct wildlife access from the grounds. The river-facing rooms and waterside dining are the highlights. An honest, well-priced midrange option for travellers who value history and location over design-led accommodation.
Mid-rangeFull board
Samburu Intrepids Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 30 tents
Inside Reserve, Ewaso Ng'iro River
The leading midrange-to-luxury tented camp inside the reserve, 30 spacious en-suite tents on the riverbank with an infinity pool with scenic views and a social, well-run camp atmosphere. Part of the Heritage Hotels group and known for good food, reliable service, and an excellent programme of game drives. Particularly popular with families for its balance of comfort and river-camp authenticity. The riverside location means elephants, crocodiles, and hippos are visible from the pool terrace.
Mid-rangeFull board
Samburu Sopa Lodge
Permanent Lodge · 67 rooms
Inside Reserve, elevated position
A well-established lodge inside the reserve on elevated ground with good views across the surrounding landscape, 67 rooms in the dependable Sopa Hotels formula of comfortable, clean accommodation with good food and reliable service. Known for value-for-money packages and efficient operations. Well-suited to groups and organised tours. The elevated position provides pleasant communal areas with park views and a pool terrace that catches the evening breeze.
Show all 5 mid-range staysShow fewer
Mid-rangeFull board
Samburu Game Lodge
Permanent Lodge · 57 rooms
Inside Reserve, Ewaso Ng'iro River, historic
The oldest lodge in Samburu, a historic property that has welcomed guests since the 1960s, set directly on the Ewaso Ng'iro River with crocodiles and elephants visible from the dining terrace. A larger, hotel-scale operation known for its colonial atmosphere, reliable service, and very direct wildlife access from the grounds. The river-facing rooms and waterside dining are the highlights. An honest, well-priced midrange option for travellers who value history and location over design-led accommodation.
Mid-rangeFull board
Samburu Intrepids Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 30 tents
Inside Reserve, Ewaso Ng'iro River
The leading midrange-to-luxury tented camp inside the reserve, 30 spacious en-suite tents on the riverbank with an infinity pool with scenic views and a social, well-run camp atmosphere. Part of the Heritage Hotels group and known for good food, reliable service, and an excellent programme of game drives. Particularly popular with families for its balance of comfort and river-camp authenticity. The riverside location means elephants, crocodiles, and hippos are visible from the pool terrace.
Mid-rangeFull board
Samburu Sopa Lodge
Permanent Lodge · 67 rooms
Inside Reserve, elevated position
A well-established lodge inside the reserve on elevated ground with good views across the surrounding landscape, 67 rooms in the dependable Sopa Hotels formula of comfortable, clean accommodation with good food and reliable service. Known for value-for-money packages and efficient operations. Well-suited to groups and organised tours. The elevated position provides pleasant communal areas with park views and a pool terrace that catches the evening breeze.
What to pair with Samburu
Places to pair with Samburu on the same trip.
Frequently asked questions
Anything not answered here, a consultant answers directly. More planning questions are on the FAQ page, and before you fly, read Kenya eTA and entry requirements.
Best game viewing. Animals concentrate along the Ewaso Ng'iro River. Hot but excellent visibility. Peak Big Cat sightings.
No. Park fees are not included in accommodation rates and are added at quotation stage. County-managed (NOT KWS). Cash USD or M-Pesa at gate. Fees subject to change without KWS notice, always confirm with operator before travel. East African residents qualify for reduced rates with valid ID.
Samburu National Reserve is Kenya's wild north, a rugged, sun-baked wilderness along the Ewaso Ng'iro River that flows through dramatic semi-arid terrain unlike anywhere else in the country. At 165 km², Samburu is relatively compact but exceptional in its wildlife diversity, offering species found nowhere else in Kenya.
Plan your Samburu safari
Start here and add the regions around it, or let us suggest a route. A consultant takes it from there.