Special moments at the Samburu National Reserve
Special moments at the Samburu National Reserve : It was in the early 1860s and Samburu National Reserve was part of “big game country,” which attracted renowned hunters like Arthur Neumann who set up camp on the site where Samburu Lodge now stands. Von Holnel, Count Telekis’ companion, described the reserve as “teeming with game, especially buffalos and rhinos.”
A chunk of that big game country was carved away years later, in 1948, to create the Samburu National Reserve, which at the time was a part of the larger Marsabit National Reserve. Rodney Elliot, the Senior Game Warden of Samburu District, made the subsequent suggestion that the region north of the Ewaso Nyiro River be made into a distinct reserve.
Thus, in 1962, the 40,772-acre Samburu National Reserve was established, adjacent to the Buffalo Springs National Reserve, with the Ewaso Nyiro River dividing the two, thanks to the support of the Elsa Trust. The African District Council of Samburu, or what is now Samburu County, was suggested to take over its administration by the Minister for Local Government a year later, in 1963.
- Visit Kamunyak’s Home.
One of the two locations where environmentalists George and Joy Adamson reared Elsa, the well-known lioness that starred in the book and the movie “Born Free,” is Samburu National Reserve. Additionally, Kamunyak, the other well-known lioness that took in an Oryx calf, lived there.
The Samburu National Reserve is currently off-limits to hunting, but you may still enjoy the wide variety of wildlife there, including uncommon northern specialized species like the reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, and beisa Oryx, also known as Samburu Special.
- Meet the Wild Dogs of Samburu.
There’s also a good chance you’ll catch (not literally!) one of the approximately 900 elephants in the population. Large predators like cheetahs, leopards, and lions may also be spotted. Sightings of wild dogs are another frequent draw to this special protected region.
Should fortune favor you, you might happen upon the severely endangered Malacochersus tornieri pancake tortoise. During the dry season, when the wild animals congregate at the Ewaso Nyiro River, their primary water supply, your chances of seeing wildlife improve significantly.
- Spot the Rich Birdlife.
With almost 450 different species, Samburu National Reserve is a haven for avian enthusiasts. They include species found in riverine forests as well as the dry birds of the northern bush country. For example, you might see a kingfisher, marabou, bateleur, guinea fowl, or Tawney eagle. Observers have also sighted goshawks, sparrow weaver, pygmy falcons, and Somali ostriches.
Certain species, such as the Taita falcon and the lesser kestrel, are extremely important for global conservation. The African darter, yellow-billed ox-pecker, white-headed vulture, martial eagle, and great egret all do the same. They are considered vulnerable by IUCN.
Samburu National Reserve is accessible by plane or road. From Nairobi, the road trip takes roughly six hours by car. The Isiolo-Marsabit road takes you around Mount Kenya and across the equator. If you’re going from Nairobi to Samburu, the Archer’s Gate is roughly 354 kilometres (220 miles).
If a 354-kilometer road trip isn’t your thing, you may always opt for a plane ride. Every day, twice daily flights are offered by Air Kenya to Buffalo Springs and Samburu. Depending on whether it is direct or not, the flight from Nairobi takes 45 to 1 hour. Tropic Air is a viable option if you are travelling from Nanyuki.
