Nanyuki Safaris Samburu National Reserve Full Day Excursion

Our Samuru National Reserve Day trip Safari is a popular one-day wildlife tour departing from Nanyuki or the surrounding Mount Kenya region. This safari covers approximately 140 km (a 2–3-hour drive) to reach the rugged, semi-arid landscapes of Samburu, known for its unique “Special Five” wildlife species not typically found in other Kenyan parks.

This is an excellent and affordable short one-day Safari in Kenya’s Big 5 Samburu National Reserve, considered one of the most untamed wilderness areas in Africa. Samburu National Reserve lies in Samburu County on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Northern Kenya.

It covers an area of about 165 km^², some 350 km north of the vibrant city of Nairobi. One of Kenya’s three northern parks (including Shaba and Buffalo Springs), Samburu is part of the spectacular Great Rift Valley and reaches altitudes of between 800 and 1230 meters above sea level in some places.

Samburu is home to Africa’s Big Five, a long and fascinating list of other animals, and over 450 bird species. The very peculiar Gerenuk gazelle can be spotted here. Also known as the giraffe-gazelle, this long-necked antelope stands up on its hind legs to feed and is wonderful to watch going about its daily business.

Other special sightings include the shy Oryx and some of Africa’s largest crocodiles. Enjoy Big 4 game drives with a professional guide in a customized safari vehicle. Your guide will be happy to drop you at the airport or return you to your hotel in Nanyuki, Nyeri, Timau, Naru Moru, or Nairobi after the safari.

Samuru National Reserve 1-Day Trip Itinerary

0520 Hours – 0630 Hours: Early morning pick-up from your hotel or residence in Nanyuki
0800 Hours – 0930 Hours: Arrival at the Archer’s Gate (main entrance); proceed with the morning game drive after clearance
1100 Hours: Wildlife viewing along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, where animals congregate to drink
1230 Hours – 1330 Hours: Lunch break. Options include a packed picnic lunch at a scenic site or a meal at one of the park’s lodges, such as Samburu Sopa Lodge
1330 Hours– 1530 Hours: Afternoon game drive or an optional visit to a Samburu cultural village to learn about local traditions
1600 Hours– 1630 Hours: Depart the reserve for the return journey
1820 Hours– 1900 Hours: Drop-off back at your accommodation in Nanyuki

Wildlife Highlights: The “Samburu Special Five”

The primary draw of this excursion is the opportunity to see five rare species endemic to Northern Kenya:

✓ Beisa Oryx: A desert-adapted antelope with long, straight horns
✓ Reticulated Giraffe: Identified by its striking polygonal patterns
✓Somali Ostrich: Distinguished by the blue-grey skin on its neck and thighs
✓ Grevy’s Zebra: Taller with narrower stripes than the common plains zebras
✓ Gerenuk: A long-necked antelope known for standing on its hind legs to browse

Safari Inclusions in the one-day package

Refreshments: Bottled mineral water provided inside the vehicle
Fees: All National Park entrance fees for the Samburu National Reserve
Professional Guide: Services of a professional English-speaking driver/guide throughout the day
Meals: Most standard itineraries include a box lunch enjoyed at a scenic picnic site within the reserve
Game Drives: Extensive morning and afternoon game drives to spot the “Samburu Special Five” (Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and beisa oryx)
Transport: Round-trip private transfer from your hotel or residence in Nanyuki (and surrounding areas like Timau or Nyeri) in an air-conditioned minivan or 4×4 safari vehicle

Nanyuki Safaris Samburu National Reserve full-day excursion is a 1-day wildlife holiday to Samburu National Reserve in Samburu County. This one-day safari departs from the Mount Kenya region, which includes towns such as Timau, Nanyuki, Naru Moru, Meru, Nyeri, Mweiga, Nyahururu, and Laikipia.

Samburu National Reserve is located only 140 km from Nanyuki and makes a great 1-day wildlife escape from the Mt Kenya region. Samburu Game Park is a rugged, semi-desert park located in the Samburu district of the Rift Valley Province in Kenya.

The local populations of the neighboring communities are the Rendille, Borana, and Samburu tribes, all descended from the Masai. Cattle, as well as sheep, goats, and camels, are of utmost importance to the Samburu culture and way of life.

The Samburu paint their faces using striking patterns to accentuate their facial features & neighboring tribes admire the beauty of the Samburu people and call them “Samburu,” which means “butterfly.”

Samburu National Reserve is relatively small in size compared to other Kenyan parks, measuring approximately 104 square km (approximately 65 square miles). The climate in Samburu is hot and dry during the day, and cool at night and in the evening. Average maximum temperatures are around 30°C (85°F) with minimum temperatures of approximately 20°C.

Samburu was where George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness and wrote the famous best-selling book and movie “Born Free”. The Uaso Nyiro River cuts through this reserve, drawing a big population of wildlife to the park.

Wildlife in the park includes the Nile crocodile, the long-necked gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, leopard, cheetah, lion, elephant, buffalo, impala, hippo, and dik-dik. Birdlife is as plentiful as wildlife in Samburu National Reserve, which boasts over 350 bird species, including vultures, kingfishers, marabou storks, bateleurs, guinea fowl, Somali ostriches, and more.

Booking our 1-day wildlife, culture, and bird-watching safari to Samburu National Reserve with African Spice Safaris. We will pick you up from your hotel or residence in Nanyuki, Naru Moru, Meru, Nyeri, Nyahururu, and Laikipia.

Wild and rugged, Samburu Game Reserve is one of Kenya’s hidden gems. Escape the crowds in this remote Big Five game reserve, where you can also spot rare and unusual animal species such as Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk antelopes, Somali ostriches, reticulated giraffes, and beisa oryx.

Samburu encompasses diverse habitats, from scrublands and savannah plains to forests, and hosts numerous birds and animals drawn to the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Encountering the traditional Samburu people is another highlight of visiting this off-the-beaten-track wilderness area.

Samburu National Reserve 1 Day Safari from Nanyuki Price Includes

✓ Snacks
✓ Healthy Packed Lunch box
✓ Bottled water during game drive
✓ Extensive Game drive in the park
✓ Samburu Game Reserve entry Park fees
✓ Services of a professional safari driver/ guide
✓ Pickup and drop-off from your hotel within the Mount Kenya Region
✓ Round-trip transportation in a safari-mini van (or 4 x 4 safari Land-cruiser at an extra cost)

Notes

* Enjoy a full-day tour from the Mount Kenya region to the Samburu Game Reserve
* Samburu Game Reserve 1-day safari from Nairobi is possible, however, it will be a long day as the drive takes 5 hours each way + 4.5 Hours of game drive with a lunch break included. Arrival time back in Nairobi will be 2100 Hours. Kindly inquire!

Samburu National Reserve 1 Day Safari from Nanyuki Price Excludes

* Drinks, Extra Meals
* Visa and any related fees
* Tips or gratuities to your driver-guide
* Medical cover & travel personal insurance
* Tour to a Samburu Cultural Village (extra cost)
* Any other item not mentioned in the inclusive list

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com