Samburu National Reserve is situated in northern Kenya and is without question one of the most beautiful and scenic places in the country. The park boasts incredible rock formations, flora and fauna not seen anywhere else in the world, as well as many endangered wildlife species. With an elevation of 800 to 1200 m above sea level it can be very hot and dry at certain times of the year, requiring wildlife to adapt and thrive as they have done here for millennia.

One of Samburu’s real gems is the Ewaso Ng’iro River, with its life-feeding waters flowing from as far away as the Aberdare mountain range some 200 km upstream. Recently voted one of the best places to visit by CNN, it is one of the most phenomenal places on earth to experience elephants close up. At its peak, the area hosts up to one thousand of these majestic creatures who, crossing the river daily, roam in and out of Buffalo Springs national reserve on one side of the river and Samburu reserve on the other.

Watching these amazing elephants playing in the river on a hot day as they cool off after a long walk from afar is without a doubt one of the highlights of a trip to this magical place. The reserve also boasts some rare and endangered species such as the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx as well as the famous gerenuk - a long-necked antelope. Not only great for game, Samburu is also a birder’s paradise with anywhere from 400 to 450 different species of birds, including migrants from Europe.

Drive time from Nairobi is around 5 to 6 hours and flight time around 1hr 15 minutes.