Samburu National Reserve

About this trip

Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves form a 300 km² semi-arid wilderness along the Ewaso Nyiro river in northern Kenya - home to the 'Samburu Special Five' found nowhere else in the country: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. The reserve was made famous by Joy Adamson's *Born Free* and the orphaned elephant Eleanor. The Samburu people, cousins of the Maasai, retain pastoralist traditions and run several of the lodges as conservancy partnerships. Pair with Maasai Mara or fly direct from Nairobi Wilson (1 hr) for a luxury short break.

Highlights

• Track all five Samburu Special species in their natural habitat
• Big cat density: leopards in doum palms, cheetah on the plains, lion prides on the riverbanks
• Visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary - Africa's first community-owned elephant orphanage
• Samburu warrior cultural exchange and beadwork demonstration
• Sundowner on a basalt outcrop above the Ewaso Nyiro river

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Fly Nairobi → Samburu

   Morning flight to Samburu airstrip (1 hr). Lodge transfer with first wildlife sightings en route. Afternoon game drive along the Ewaso Nyiro - elephant crossings, crocodile basking, vulturine guineafowl.

2. Day 2

   Full day Samburu & Buffalo Springs

   Dawn drive for big cats, then breakfast in the bush. Cross to Buffalo Springs reserve to find Grevy's zebra and Beisa oryx. Afternoon focuses on leopard hotspots in the riverine forest. Optional bush dinner under the stars.

3. Day 3

   Reteti Elephant Sanctuary day trip

   Drive 1.5 hrs to the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy to visit Reteti - community-owned and operated, with all keepers from local Samburu villages. Observe the 11 AM milk feed of orphaned calves. Lunch in conservancy. Return for late afternoon drive.

4. Day 4

   Final game drive → Nairobi

   Sunrise drive, breakfast, then midday flight back to Wilson airport. Connect onward by 1500.

What's included

• Return scheduled flights Nairobi Wilson – Samburu
• Three nights full board at tented camp inside or adjoining the reserve
• Reserve fees, conservancy fees and Reteti visitor donation
• All game drives in shared 4x4 with KPSGA-certified guide
• Local Samburu cultural visit and beadwork demonstration

Not included: international flights, visa fees, optional activities marked above, personal expenses, tips beyond stated inclusions, and travel insurance (we arrange separately on request).

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