Map of Samburu National Reserve
Map of Samburu National Reserve : Samburu national reserve is a Kenya safari Gem located in Samburu district, North of the Equator at an altitude range of 800 – 1,230 meters above the sea level, Samburu national reserve covers an area of about 165 square kilometers and is part of a much larger eco system including the Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves.
Samburu national reserve is characterised by a desert and semi desert region with a dry and warm climate, the southern border of the reserve is demarcated by the Ewaso Nyiro River which is the only permanent source of water. In the dry season, Ewaso Nyiro River becomes the best wildlife sighting spot in the reserve.
WILDLIFE IN SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Samburu national Reserve is home to a diverse collection of Animals including the Samburu Special Five which are the signature attraction in the reserve, the Samburu Special Five include the Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the Beisa Oryx.
Samburu national reserve is a home to about 75 species of mammals including elephants, lions, African buffaloes, Maasai giraffes, plain zebras, hippos, cheetahs, reticulated giraffe, Aardvark, Aardwolf, Africa Hare, Antelope, Banded Mongoose, Bat eared Fox, Bushbaby, Bushbuck, Coke’s hartebeest, Common elands, Copper tailed monkey, crested porcupine, Dwarf Mongoose, Grant’s gazelles, Honey Badger among others.
BIRDLIFE IN SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Samburu national reserve is one of the important Birding Areas in Kenya with over 450 species recorded including coveted endemic and arid specialist such as Somali ostrich, vulturine guineafowl, Hunter’s sunbird and William’s lark.
Other birds found in Samburu national reserve include
- Acacia tit
- Bare – eyed thrush
- African Plam swift
- Ashy Cisticola
- Balck-bellied sunbird
- Black – clapped social weaver
- Brown tailed rock chat
- Chestnut – headed sparrow lark
- CHESTNUT WEAVER
- Donaldson – Smith’s sparrow – weaver
- Fisher’s starling
- Golden pipit
- Golden-breasted starling
- Greater Kestrek
- Grey wren – warbler
- Hunter’s sunbird
- Northern Brownbul
- Palm-nut vulture
- Pink – breasted lark
- Pygmy batis
- Red –bellied parrot
- Red – necked falcon
- Red – winged lark
- Reichenow’s seedeater
- Rosy – patched bush – shrike
- Secretary bird
- Singing bush lark
- Somali – bee eater
- Somali ostrich
- Von der Decken’s hornbill
- Vulturine guineafowl
- White – headed mousebird
- Yellow – vented eremomela among others.
HOW TO GET TO SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Samburu national reserve is located about 310 kilometers from Nairobi city, the capital of Kenya. To get Samburu national reserve there are two main ways that is by air or by road,
By road – the reserve is conveniently accessed by use of either public or private means of transport , from Nairobi it is a distance of approximately 310 kilometers to 325 kilometers depending on which gate or entry point you wish to use. Route used to get to Samburu national reserve heads out from Nairobi city and keep on the Nyeri Karatina Highway and turn right to Marwa Town- 12 kilometers from Karatina Town. Once at the Archer’s Post, just drive a few kilometers off the highway to Archer’s gate, Map of Samburu National Reserve.
By air – Samburu national reserve is served by several airlines offering domestic flights from Nairobi to various airstrips located in the reserve, flights depart from Wilson Airstrip to Kalama Airstrip, Buffalo Springs Airstrip and Samburu Oryx Airstrip.
Flights to Samburu national reserve are offered by 2 main airlines that is Air Kenya and Safarilink.
Best time to visit Samburu national reserve
Samburu national reserve is a year round Kenya safari destination, however the best time to visit this amazing destination for a safari is during the long dry season running from late June to October and short dry season from December to March, this period of time is the considered to be the best time for excellent African Wildlife viewing in Samburu.
In this period, animals tend to be concentrated around the only permanent sources of water such as the Ewaso Ngiiro River where water and pasture can be found.
