Kenya Destinations Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is located along the Ewaso Nyiro River, Kenya’s largest northern river, and is home to a plethora of wildlife. Aside from big cats and African wild dogs, rare northern species like Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, long-necked gerenuk, Guenther’s dik-dik, and the beisa oryx, also known as the Samburu Special Six, are likely to be seen.

Wildlife Highlights

Several dry-country adapted mammals can be found here that aren’t found in most Kenyan parks. The reticulated giraffe’s pattern is more striking than the Masai giraffe’s. The Beisa Oryx is well adapted to arid environments. The gerenuk can stand on its hind legs to reach sparse leaves thanks to its elongated neck. The common Burchell’s zebra and the larger Grevy’s zebra share the same habitat.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Because Samburu doesn’t get much rain, it can be visited at any time of year, but the dry season is the best time to see wildlife (June to October). During the Dry season, the vegetation thins out significantly, and animals congregate around the few remaining water sources. April is the wettest month, and rains during this month can make wildlife viewing more difficult.