SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK Accommodation-Safari Lodges, Hotels, Tented Camps.  

The Samburu National Park also called Samburu National Reserve is safari holiday destination, whose attraction is defined by the unique culture of the local people (the Samburu) and unique animals.  Being slightly to the North of the Equator, Samburu is true melting point of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.  Samburu and the adjacent reserves of  Buffalo Springs and Shaba are characterized by a myriad of  characters found to the North and South of the Equator. In this region  Grevy's Zebra (predominantly northern species)  shares pastures with the southern dwelling  Common (Burchell's) Zebra.  Besides the Grevy's Zebra, other unique species  endemic in the region include the Somali Ostrich with blue shanks and neck), the Reticulated Giraffe, and the long necked Gerenuk  usually referred to as the giraffe gazelle due to its long neck and the Beisa Oryx. 

An elegant destination:

Samburu game reserve is not just another of Kenya's National Park.  It 's unique position surrounded by numerous private and community ranches, makes it an exclusive destination full of adventure, luxury and elegance beyond imagination.   In the vicinity are Prince William's hide outs of  Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and Rutundu Log Cabins. 

Security is no longer a big issue or visitors to Samburu.  Frequent patrols by rangers and scouts have reduced poaching and improved security.  You can visit Samburu anytime of the year.

Accommodation in Samburu National Park;

Samburu National Park/ Reserve has a variety of accommodation facilities to suit different categories of travelers. Safari lodges, luxury tented camps and public camps caters for luxury, mid range and budget holiday makers.  Luxury safari lodges in Samburu National park include- Samburu Serena Lodge, Samburu Siba Lodge, Samburu Saruni Lodge, Sasaab Lodge and Samburu Sopa Lodge. Elephant bedroom is an exclusive tented camp for those interested in elephant and lion tracking.  Other tented camps include Samburu Intrepids, Bedouin Camp and Larsen's Camp.  One can also stay at Joy's Camp in the nearby Shaba National Reserve. 

Safari Lodges in Samburu National Park

Samburu Serena Lodge

Top on the list of properties found in Samburu is the Samburu Serena Lodge.  A property of Serena Lodges and Hotels, the samburu serena is currently under renovations.

Samburu Simba Lodge

Samburu Simba lodge is overlooks Buffalo springs and the Uaso Nyiro River. Guest rooms have a fantastic views over the plains teaming with elephants, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa orynx and long-necked gerunuk and other animals.  The comprise of Seven villas of ten rooms each – six on the ground floor and four on the first floor of which two rooms are interconnected. Lodge Facilities: 2 swimming pools, Pool side bar, Safes available at the reception, Telephone calls through the operator, Television – satellite TV: CNN, BBC Super Sport at Ibis Pub, Doctor on call, Health Club, Laundry Service
 

Attractions/ Activities Things to do in Samburu National Park

• Day and night game drives

• Visits to local Maasai, Samburu, Turkana and Boran homesteads

• Camel and horse riding in the private ranches

• Nature walks conducted by local Maasai/ Samburu warriors

• River rafting when season permits in Ewaso Ng'iro river

• Nature walks to the Ngare Ndare and Makogondo forest conducted by the local guides

• Aerial safaris in some of the lodges.

• Events like Lewa safaricom Marathon, Maralal Camel Derby

• Swimming either in the lodges or numerous private houses.

• Farm Tours

• Game viewing on camel/ horse back in the ranches

• Exploring Il lolokwe, Mathews Range (Nyiro Ndoto Mountains) mountains

• Camping in open skies, bush meals and sundowners in the private/community ranches.

The Giraffe Gazelle-Gerenuk

How long you stay in Samburu depends on what you intend to do.  You can spare three nights with one night in private or community ranches and the rest in the parks.  We can suggest a programme depending on how long you want to stay.

Ewaso Ng'iro River:

Rising from Mt. Kenya and Aberdare , The Ewaso Ng'iro River is the lifeline of the three Reserves of Buffalo Springs, Shaba and Samburu.  The river banks are colonized by grooves of Doum Palms and thick forest which acts as areas of refuge for animals during long spells of drought.    The River disappears in Lorian Swamp at Habaswein in North Eastern Province.  The continued existence of the three reserves is threatened by the continued destruction of Mt Kenya and Aberdare, the river's catchments.  Vast chunks of Mt Kenya forest have been incised to pave way for agriculture hence tributaries like Nanyuki, Sirimon and Timau have almost dried up. 

Area:  Established in 1962, Samburu Reserve occupies an area of 165km square. The origins of Samburu can be traced to 1948 when it was park of the greater Marsabit National Reserve. The greater Samburu Conservation area includes local community group ranches like Il Gwesi,  Motiok ,  and private ranches like Lewa,  Borana,El Karama, Mugie, Loisaba. 

Climate:

The area experiences hot and dry climate of the equatorial region with cool nights.  Temperatures ranges from 20-30 degrees Centigrade.  Samburu receives about 350mmof rainfall.  The natural vegetation is scrub glassy plains dominated by Acacia elator, Acacia tortolise, Salvadora pesica. 

Physical Features in Samburu Game Park:

The following features are visible from Samburu National / Game Reserve Ewaso Ng'iro River, Nyiro Ndoto Mountains (Mathews Range), Mt Kenya

Ol lolokwe hill

Samburu was the second home of lioness Elsa raised by Joy Adamason. It is also the home of Kamunyak, a lioness famous for adopting oryx calves.

Getting to Samburu National Park,

You can fly from Nairobi Wilson to Samburu or you drive.  Air Kenya Aviation operate flights to Samburu.  Being around 350 Km from Nairobi, the drive to Samburu takes about 5 hours using private means.   From Nairobi take road A2 via Ruiru, Thika, Makutano, Karatina, Marua, Chaka, Naro Moru, Nanyuki, Isiolo, Archers Post.  See the map above.  Enlarge the map for clear directions.

The local communities

The conservation of Samburu as a national reserve would not have been possible without the contribution of the local communities.  A majority of the locals are Samburu (cousins of the Maasai). Others to be found in this region are the Turkana and the Borana.

( Unlike the national park, human activities like cattle herding, bee keeping etc are allowed in a reserve.  Reserves are run by the local governments unlike parks which belong to the central government)

The Richness Of Samburu Reserve/ Attractions

The main attractions of Samburu are the rich culture of the local communities, the beautiful landscape and wildlife.  This region is the meeting point of the North and the South.  It is in Samburu you will find the Northern and Southern dwelling species mixed.  A good example are the grevy's Zebra which are found to the North of the equator and the common Zebra.  Others are the Maasai and the Somali Ostrich.

Unique species (Samburu Five) in this region include the Gerenuk (giraffe gazelle), Beisa Oryx, Reticulated giraffe, blue necked Somali ostrich, Grevy's Zebra.  These are found to the north of the equator.

All the big cats-Lions, Cheetah and Leopard are found here.  Other mammals include elephant, Buffalo, Grant's Gazelle, Kirk's Dik-dik, Impala, Waterbuck, warthogs,On the river banks are hippos and Nile Crocodiles

Rhinos: Rhinos are not present due to intense poaching.  However if interested in seeing rhinos, we advice one to visit either Meru National Park, Lewa Downs, Sweet Waters which are within the proximity of the park.

The endangered Grevy's Zebra:  The original homeland of the Grvey's included the plains and scrublands Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea.  However to continued warfare in some of these countries, overgrazing and agriculture, today this has reduced significantly leaving small pockets of population( about) 2700 exists in the world.  To more precise, it is like the only remaining population is documented in Samburu region.

Birdlife:  Over 350 species of birds have been recorded in Samburu. These include Somali Ostrich, Kingfisher, Sunbird, Bee-eater, Marabou Stork, Tawny Eagle, Bateleur,  Vultures. Game birds include the Helmeted and Vulturine Guinea fowls.

Budget Camp sites