Samburu National Reserve is one of the lesser-known national parks, but is nevertheless teeming with life. Situated alongside the Ewaso Nyiro River, there is plenty to attract wildlife from the surrounding savannah plains. The reserves within the ecological zone V – which is classified as arid and semi arid with a moisture index of 42 to 57, which indicates that evapo-transpiration is greater than available moisture.

Samburu National Reserve is rich in wildlife with an abundance of rare northern specialist species such as the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa oryx (also reffered to as Samburu special five). The reserve is also popular with a minimum of 900 elephants. Large predators such as the lion, leopard and cheetah are an important attraction (Kamunyak the miracle lioness that adopted the baby oryx is a resident in the reserve). Wild dog sightings are also a common attraction to this unique protected area.

Birdlife is abundant with over 450 species recorded. Birds of the arid northern bush country of riverine forest species of global conservation concern and they both utilize the reserve. Five species categorized as vulnerable in the reserve. These are African darter, great egret, white-headed vulture martial eagle and the yellow billed ox-pecker. The critically endangered pancake tortoise (malacochersus tornieri) is also found in Samburu National Reserve.

Safari Camps and Lodges in Sambururu National Reseve arranged according to level of accommodation.

Samburu Sentrim Camp http://www.sentrim-hotels.com/sentrim_samburu.html

.Samburu Sopa Lodge http://www.sopalodges.com/samburu/home.html

Samburu Shimba Lodge http://www.marasimba.com/page.php?id=5

Samburu Sarova Lodge http://www.sarovahotels.com/shabalodge/

Samburu Serena Lodge http://www.serenahotels.com/serenasamburu/default-en.html

Samburu Ashnil Lodge http://www.ashnilhotels.com/samburu/index.asp