Samburu

Samburu

Dry plains, rocky hills and palm-lined riverbeds mark your arrival in Samburu, a remote and rugged region in northern Kenya. The area is home to the Samburu people, semi-nomadic pastoralists who have lived in this landscape for generations. The Ewaso Nyiro River cuts through the reserve, creating a green corridor that attracts wildlife throughout the year.

Although most travellers simply refer to “Samburu”, the area actually consists of three neighbouring reserves: Samburu National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve and Shaba National Reserve. Samburu and Buffalo Springs offer the best wildlife viewing, while Shaba is known for its dramatic scenery, volcanic landscapes and sense of wilderness.

Samburu is home to several species rarely seen elsewhere in Kenya, often referred to as the “Samburu Five”: the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Beisa oryx. The reserve is also known for its healthy leopard population, with sightings often occurring along the riverbanks in the early morning or late afternoon.

• Go on a game drive in Samburu National Reserve or Buffalo Springs National Reserve.

• Hike Mount Ololokwe (1,754 m) for panoramic views across the surrounding landscape.

• Explore the region with a Samburu guide and learn more about local traditions and daily life. You can contact Lekadaa on +254 716 955 321.

• Visit Umoja Women’s Village near Archer’s Post. Founded in 1990 by fifteen courageous women who survived rape, Umoja now offers a safe haven for a large group of women and their children, escaping child marriage, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, and rape—all of which are still cultural norms among the Samburu. The small entrance fee helps them maintain their community.