Samburu National Reserve

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.