Samburu national park is a remote and less visited park located in north Laikipia in the northern circuit of Kenya’s wildlife safaris, it is less congested compared to Kenya’s Masai Mara national reserve, Amboseli national park, Lake Nakuru national park, Nairobi national park among others. Amidst the arid and semi-arid the magnificent Samburu national park lies and is covered by pal groves and riverine forests. This remote ambiance blankets wildlife that is endemic to this ecosystem. The park is located along the Ewaso Nyiro River and it is the longest river in Kenya, supplying the park’s wildlife and the vegetation. Ewaso Nyiro is a local dialect meaning “Brown Water”.
The river flows from Kenya highlands filling Lorian swamp and then to other parts of the reserve. This swamp being waterlogged, it attracts Nile crocodiles, water birds, and other wildlife. The reserve has acacia, doum trees, figs along the shores of River Ewaso Nyiro, this has attracted predators for example lions, leopards to practice their hunting skills since there is high concentration of wildlife for example buffaloes, antelopes among others. River Ewaso Nyiro is not a permanent river, it dries out during severe drought and during this phenomenon, and wildlife and communities in Samburu national park storm River Isiolo which is shared by neighboring Shaba and Buffalo Springs national reserve. The four reserves that is Shaba, Buffalo Springs, Kalama and Samburu conservancy form a natural wonder where wildlife can freely traverse this region.
Activities in Samburu National Park
Game Dive in Samburu National Park: Game drives in Samburu national park are very rewarding since it will expose you to the 5 unique species that Samburu boasts about and these are; reticulated giraffes, Gerenuks, Beisa Oryx, Somali ostrich and Grevy’s zebras. Other wildlife that thrive in the park include; elephants, cape buffaloes, bushbucks, hippopotami, plus Africa’s big three cats which are lions, leopards and cheetahs. Game drives are done along the rich-riverine forests of River Ewaso Nyiro which is a wildlife magnet that pools wildlife from all corners of the reserve, it is famous for hosting snorting hippos, while the sandbanks are congested with Nile crocodiles. Discover more magic of Samburu national park while on the game drive. Game drives in Samburu national park can be done in the morning, afternoon, evening or at night and each experience has its menu and the feeling as well.
Birding in Samburu National Park: The Park is a home to over 450 recorded bird species therefore if you engage in the birding expedition in Samburu national park, you will kick off a number of bird species that you will spot. Some of the bird species you expect to encounter in Samburu national park include; lesser kestrel, Taita falcon these are globally endangered bird species and they are found in Samburu national park. Other species include; African darter, white-headed vultures, blue-shanked Somali ostriches, tawny eagles, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, lilac-breasted roller, superb starling, yellow-billed oxpecker, verreaux’s eagles, Von der Decken’s hornbills, secretary birds among others.
Guide Nature walks in Samburu National Park: Guide nature walk is another way of feeling so relevant to the environment in that, you can even touch the soil in the park, have that magical feeling that is a must try when you are in the park. Guided nature walks in Samburu national park are of two types. There is one that takes place in the camp and outside the camp and each walk has its timing. You can engage in the morning guided nature walk or evening nature walks depending on how you want. The one that takes place in the camp lasts for about 1hour and the one that takes place outside the camp lasts for about 3hours.
Cultural Tours in Samburu National Park: Samburu people are Nilotic and semi-nomadic who live in the north-central Kenya. Samburu community speaks Maa language which is a Nilotic language. Having yourself an interaction with the Samburu, you will learn more about their ancient life styles and behaviors. They are believed to be cousins with Masai people.
Hiking Mount Ololokwe and Mount Koitar in Samburu National Park: These amazing mountains are found in the center of Samburu national park. They are famous for hosting some wildlife and giving breathtaking taking view of the park.
Visiting Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Samburu National Park: This is one of Kenya’s oldest community wildlife schemes and it is located in Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. This wildlife orphanage was and is still aimed at rescuing, rehabilitating and rewilding animals which have been abandoned, hurt or seriously injured. You can visit this sanctuary to see all sorts of wildlife for example baby elephants, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, antelopes among others. The visiting time is always 1hour and 30minutes. You are allowed to check in at the sanctuary from 8:30am to 10am and from 11:30am to 1pm.
Helicopter Safaris in Samburu National Park: Engage in the aerial tour where you will dominate Samburu skies and expect to reach far places which are hard to reach while on the game drive. Blast yourself with a bird’s-eye view, have a glimpse of Samburu’s Ololukwe monolith, the Suguta valley, you will spot large hers of elephants and then land on sacred Samburu mountain, OI Donyo Sabachi (OI Lolokwe) which is about 1,000 meters above the sea. This is a luxury experience that will give you extra touch of the wilderness in Samburu.
Camel Safaris in Samburu National Park: Came safaris in Samburu national park are so common and they have been used for centuries. You will visit predator free areas and get so close to nature. You will spot some wildlife for example; Grevy’s zebras, ostriches, giraffes, birds and amazing sceneries. Engage in a 2hours trip with a Camel and feel the magic of being in the huge area surrounded by the hues of wildlife.
Can I Combine Samburu National Park Safari with Uganda Gorillas?
This is a common trip where by travelers who want to have both experiences of wildlife safaris and gorilla trekking experiences do. After the hustle and bustle in Samburu national park, grab your flight to from Nairobi at Jomo Kenyatta international Airport to Entebbe international Airport in Uganda. Mountain gorillas in Uganda are found in two national parks that is Bwindi impenetrable national and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Bwindi impenetrable national park is the most preferred gorilla trekking destination since it has over 24 habituated gorilla families distributed in four gorilla sectors.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park from Entebbe International Airport?
You can access Bwindi impenetrable national park both by road and by air.
By Road: You will be picked by the driver guide from the airport and hit the road to Bwindi which will take about 9hours. You will have stopovers for lunch, Equator monument experience.
By Air: You will grab a domestic flight either Aero-link or Bar Aviation and fly to Kisoro in southwestern Uganda, it will take you about 1hour and 15minutes. Upon landing, your driver guide will transfer you to the booked lodge for relaxation and dinner. Then gorilla trekking will be the next day.
