Samburu County (the home to Samburu National Reserve) stretches north from the Wuaso Ng’iro River to the south of Lake Turkana. It’s home to many community conservancies and is occupied the Samburu people and the Turkana whose culture remains stark.
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Park and Reserve is located along the Ewaso Ng’iro River and is accessible through the A2 highway past Isiolo, onwards to Archer’s Post.
There is a large military training area to the north east of Archer’s Post which is used by the Kenya Defence Forces and the British Army.
The park is accessible by tarmac from Nairobi to the gate, about 4 hours drive.
The Samburu National Reserve is rich in wildlife spanning the rare Northern Specialist species such as the Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich and the Reticulated Giraffe.
Hundreds of Elephants abound in the Samburu Reserve and Large predators on land and waters of the Ewaso are also in plenty.
Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs fill the plains and rangelands of the Samburu.
Also if you ever heard of the miracle Lion that adopted a gazelle – well it’s Kamunyak, the miracle lioness that adapted a baby Oryx, which is a resident of the Reserve.
Nearly, 500 species of birds have been recorded, and critically endangered species like Pancake Tortoise is found in the Reserve.
Five species categorized as vulnerable have recorded in the reserve. These are African Darter, Great Egret, White-headed Vulture, Martial Eagle and the Yellow-billed Ox-pecker. Critically endangered species under CITIES – Pancake tortoise (malacochersus tornieri) is found in the reserve.
Samburu National Reserve
Wild dog sightings are also a common attraction to this unique protected area.
The National Reserve is one of the lesser-known national parks, but is nevertheless teeming with life. The more reason to visit, this less chronicled park in the North of Kenya..