Samburu lies north of the equator, in drier and rockier country than Kenya's more famous southern parks. The Ewaso Nyiro River cuts through the reserve and holds most of the wildlife close to its banks. It's less visited than the Mara, and known for a set of species adapted to this particular terrain that don't turn up further south.
Wildlife
- •The 'Samburu Special Five': Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich
- •Elephant herds that move along the river through the dry season
- •Lion and leopard, with leopard sightings more frequent here than in many other Kenyan parks
- •Nile crocodile in the river, alongside a healthy resident hippo population
Best Time to Visit
June to September
Dry conditions push wildlife toward the river, making game viewing dense and predictable along its banks.
December to March
Another dry stretch with warm, clear days, good for both game drives and photography.
April to May and November
Rainy periods. Roads can be difficult and some camps close, but the landscape is at its greenest.
