Samburu National Reserve is a rugged and semi-desert park located in Samburu district in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. It is a game reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River in Kenya, on the other side of the river is the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. The size of the park is 165 km², and is situated 350 kilometers from Nairobi City. It ranges in altitude from 800 to 1230m above sea level. Geographically it is located in Samburu County.

In the middle of the reserve, the Ewaso Ng’iro flows through doum palm groves and thick riverine forests. It provides water, without which the game in this arid region could not survive.                                                                                                           The Samburu National Reserve was one of the two areas in which conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness, made famous in the best-selling book and award-winning movie Born Free. The Elephant Watch Camp, of which Saba Douglas-Hamilton is director, lies within the park.

Samburu national reserve derives its name from the Samburu people of Kenya who have lived in the area for many years. Samburu Tribe known for their remote culture, pastoral and nomadic way of life. The Uaso Nyiro River cuts through this reserve, drawing a big population of Kenya animals to the park. The river bustles with activity from its huge population of Nile crocodile.

Game Viewing:                                                                                                                                                    In the southern part of the park, you are guaranteed to see most of the Kenyan animals found in Samburu, namely: cheetahs, lions, leopards, impalas, buffalo, hippos, and dik-diks, as well as the native gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and Beisa Oryx. You are guaranteed to see most animals during the dry season as they converge at the Usaso Nyiro River, their main source of water during the long dry weather. Elephants are also spotted during this time, and you can watch the Nile crocodiles swim in the river.

Bird Viewing:                                                                                                                                                Samburu National Reserve is a paradise for bird lovers, with over 350 species of birds already recorded. You can enjoy a colorful assortment of birds such as vultures, kingfishers, marabous, bateleurs, guinea fowl, Somali ostriches and many more.