Samburu National Reserve is one of Kenya’s most distinctive safari destinations, with dramatic semi-desert scenery, rare northern wildlife and the Ewaso Ng’iro River winding through its heart.
It’s home to the “Samburu Special Five”, species you won’t find in Kenya’s southern parks, plus elephants, big cats and the colourful Samburu people. Call or WhatsApp +254 754 004 003 to plan your safari.
Samburu National Reserve covers about 165 square kilometres of rugged, semi-arid country on the northern bank of the Ewaso Ng’iro River in Samburu County. Across the river lies Buffalo Springs National Reserve, and Shaba National Reserve is just to the east, so the three are often explored together.
The reserve is famous for the “Samburu Special Five”: the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. Elephants gather along the river, and you can also see lions, leopards, cheetahs and over 450 bird species.
The reserve is named after the Samburu people, who still graze their cattle in the surrounding community conservancies. Guided walks with Samburu guides and village visits make culture as much a part of the safari as wildlife.
Samburu National Reserve is in Samburu County, northern Kenya, about 350 km north of Nairobi. The main gate is at Archers Post, on the Isiolo to Marsabit road.
Drive north from Nairobi on the A2 through Nyeri or Nanyuki and Isiolo to Archers Post. The tarmac road takes about 5 to 6 hours, with great views of Mount Kenya along the way.
Daily scheduled flights run from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to the Samburu airstrips, such as Buffalo Springs and Kalama, in about 1 to 1.5 hours. Lodges arrange transfers from the airstrip.
Non-residents: About $70 per adult and $40 per child per day.
Kenyan citizens: About KES 1,000 per adult and KES 500 per child per day.
Note: Samburu is run by the Samburu County Government, which sets the fees, and they can change. Extra charges apply for vehicles, camping and conservancy visits.
Luxury Lodges and Camps: About $400 to $800+ per person per night (for example, Saruni Samburu and Elephant Bedroom Camp).
Mid-Range Lodges: About $200 to $350 per person per night (for example, Samburu Sopa Lodge).
Budget Camps and Campsites: About $30 to $80 per person per night.
By Road: Private transfers or a self-drive 4×4 from Nairobi cost about $150 to $450, depending on the vehicle and group size.
By Air: Return flights from Wilson Airport cost about $300 to $500 per person.
Game Drives: Usually included in your package or lodge rate.
Samburu Village Visits: About $25 to $35 per person.
Guided Nature Walks: About $30 to $50 per person, with Samburu guides.
Meals and drinks, if not included in your package.
Tips for guides and staff, typically $10 to $20 per day.
Best Time: June to October and December to March, the dry seasons, when wildlife gathers along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
Budget-Friendly Time: April and May (green season, with fewer visitors and lower rates).
Special Moments: November, when the short rains turn the landscape green and migrant birds arrive.
Clothing: Light, neutral-coloured clothes for the heat, a warm layer for early mornings and a light rain jacket.
Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes, plus sandals for the lodge.
Sun Protection: A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm.
Camera and Binoculars: For wildlife and landscapes.
Travel Documents: Passport or ID and your booking confirmations.
Health: Insect repellent, personal medication, a small first aid kit and antimalarials if your doctor recommends them.
Extras: A reusable water bottle and a power bank.
Fly in for a quick 2-night escape or drive up for a longer adventure through Kenya’s wild north.
Samburu pairs well with Mount Kenya, Nanyuki and Ol Pejeta, and we tailor every trip to your dates, budget and interests.
Perfect for independent travellers looking for a personal, off-the-beaten-path wildlife adventure.
A romantic escape with riverside camps, bush dinners and quiet game drives, ideal for newlyweds.
A fun, educational safari for all ages, with family-friendly lodges, pools and unique wildlife.
Team-building trips and retreats that combine wildlife encounters with time to relax and connect.
Group adventures full of shared moments, great sightings and the fun of exploring together.
The Samburu Special Five: Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich and gerenuk.
Big Cats: Lions, leopards and cheetahs adapted to the semi-arid bush.
Other Predators: Spotted and striped hyenas, jackals and, if you’re lucky, African wild dogs.
Elephants and River Life: Elephant herds, Nile crocodiles and waterbuck along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
Birdlife: Over 450 species, including vulturine guineafowl, martial eagles and colourful starlings.
Plains Game: Impalas, Grant’s gazelles, dik-diks and olive baboons.
Dramatic Landscapes: Red earth, doum palms, rocky hills and spectacular sunsets.
Tell us your budget and travel dates, and we’ll match you with the right stay. Call or WhatsApp +254 754 004 003.
How the categories compare:
Prices are approximate and vary by season.
Take an unforgettable Samburu safari with Bamm Safaris Adventures Kenya, where rugged landscapes meet rare wildlife and a rich cultural heritage.
Our Samburu safari packages go in search of the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk. Choose a luxury fly-in safari, a scenic road trip or a multi-park circuit, each planned for comfort and discovery.
Stay in handpicked camps like Elephant Bedroom Camp or Saruni Samburu, enjoy game drives along the Ewaso Ng’iro River and meet the Samburu community through dance, beadwork and cultural visits. It’s perfect for families, honeymooners and wildlife lovers.
Book your Samburu safari today. Call or WhatsApp us on +254 754 004 003.
Track the Samburu Special Five, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and Beisa oryx, on guided game drives, with stories around the campfire.
Combine game drives with a refreshing dip in a natural spring-fed pool, ideal for families and couples who want adventure and relaxation.
Fly from Nairobi to Samburu in about an hour and stay in a luxury riverside camp, with private game drives and sundowners overlooking the Ewaso Ng’iro.
Travel by 4×4 Land Cruiser from Nairobi past Mount Kenya to Samburu, with game drives and visits to local Samburu villages.
Blend game drives with Samburu cultural experiences, including beadwork, dance and storytelling, ideal for travellers who want a deeper connection.
For adventurers and budget travellers, this rugged road trip includes camping, off-the-beaten-path game drives and a flexible itinerary.
Pair Samburu’s dry beauty with the green highlands of Mount Kenya for varied landscapes, wildlife and adventure in one trip.
Explore Samburu, the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo in one journey, combining rare wildlife, culture and Kenya’s most iconic landscapes.
Explore Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba, three connected reserves, for a deeper look at northern Kenya’s wildlife with fewer crowds.
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From start to finish, everything was seamless and well-organised. The customer service team was responsive and helped me plan the perfect itinerary tailored to my preferences. The tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly, providing interesting insights and ensuring we made the most of every stop. I felt safe and well taken care of throughout the entire trip. Whether you’re a first-time traveller or a seasoned explorer, I highly recommend a baecation adventure for an unforgettable travel experience!
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For us, It wasn’t just your typical wildlife safari, it was a perfect blend of adventure, nature and fun activities. We cycled through Hell’s Gate National Park, which offered breathtaking views and a completely unique perspective of the park.
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For enquiries or bookings, write to [email protected]. We’ll revert within 20 minutes during business hours.
It’s in Samburu County, northern Kenya, about 350 km north of Nairobi, on the northern bank of the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
Drive north on the A2 through Nanyuki and Isiolo to Archers Post, about 5 to 6 hours, or take a daily flight from Wilson Airport, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
The dry seasons, from June to October and December to March, are best, when wildlife gathers along the river. The reserve is open all year.
Yes. April, May and November are green, quiet and cheaper. Some roads can get muddy and a few camps may close, but wildlife is still easy to see.
Non-resident adults pay about $70 and children about $40 per day. Fees are set by the Samburu County Government and can change, so check before you travel.
The Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk and Somali ostrich, species adapted to northern Kenya’s dry country.
Besides the Special Five, you can see elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles, many antelopes, occasionally wild dogs, and over 450 bird species.
Not all of them. Elephants, lions and leopards are seen regularly, buffaloes are less common and there are no rhinos in the reserve. For the full Big Five, try the <a href=”https://bammsafaris.com/masai-mara/”>Maasai Mara</a>.
Two to three nights is ideal for several game drives and a cultural visit. Add more if you’re combining it with Mount Kenya or Ol Pejeta.
Game drives, bird watching, Samburu village visits, and walks, camel rides and night drives in the surrounding conservancies.
Yes, in the community conservancies around the reserve, with trained Samburu guides. Walking inside the reserve itself is limited.
Night drives aren’t allowed inside the reserve, but they’re offered in the private conservancies nearby, where you may see aardwolves, genets and striped hyenas.
Balloon safaris aren’t regularly offered in Samburu. For a <a href=”https://bammsafaris.com/balloon-safaris/”>balloon safari</a>, the Maasai Mara is the best choice.
Yes. Visit a Samburu village, watch traditional dances, meet morans (warriors), learn about medicinal plants and buy local beadwork.
Options range from luxury camps like Saruni Samburu and Elephant Bedroom Camp to mid-range lodges like Samburu Sopa and simple campsites.
Yes. Campsites, simple lodges in Archers Post and shared group safaris make Samburu affordable.
Yes. Several lodges and camps have pools, including Saruni Samburu and Elephant Bedroom Camp, a welcome break from the midday heat.
Yes, but a 4×4 and some off-road experience are recommended. You can hire a vehicle from our sister company, <a href=”https://bammtours.co.ke/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Bamm Tours</a>, or book a guided safari.
Yes. Samburu is generally safe for visitors on a planned safari. Follow your guide’s and the rangers’ instructions, and don’t wander off alone.
Yes. Many lodges welcome families and have pools and family rooms. Some camps set minimum ages for walks. See our <a href=”https://bammsafaris.com/family-safaris/”>family safaris</a>.
Yes, especially if you want something different from the southern parks, with unique wildlife and fewer crowds.
It’s hot and dry, with daytime temperatures often between 30 and 35°C and cooler nights. The long rains fall from late March to May and the short rains in November.
Light, neutral-coloured clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, a camera, insect repellent and a light jacket for cool mornings.
Yes. Malaria is present, so speak to your doctor about antimalarials, use insect repellent and sleep under a mosquito net.
Speak to a travel clinic before you go. Common recommendations include hepatitis A and typhoid. Yellow fever proof may be required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk.
There’s coverage in parts of the reserve and at many lodges, but it can be patchy. Many camps offer Wi-Fi.
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before travel. Check the official Kenya eTA website for your nationality.
The area was protected as part of a larger game reserve from 1948, and Samburu National Reserve was gazetted on its own in 1985. It was created to protect the wildlife of northern Kenya alongside the Samburu people’s traditional grazing lands.
The Samburu people speak Samburu, a language closely related to Maa. Guides and lodge staff also speak English and Swahili.
Yes. Popular combinations include Buffalo Springs, Shaba, Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta and the Maasai Mara.
Choose a package above, fill in our custom tour form, or call or WhatsApp +254 754 004 003. Book early for July to October.
