Samburu National Reserve at a glance
Samburu National Reserve is a national reserve of 165 km² in northern Kenya. It was founded in 1985 and is run by Samburu County Government. The reserve lies on the north bank of the Ewaso Nyiro, opposite Buffalo Springs National Reserve on the south bank in Isiolo County. Doum palms, acacia, grassland and rock formations shape the landscape.
This guide covers safaris, the Special Five (Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich), the Reteti elephant sanctuary, the neighbouring reserves of Buffalo Springs and Shaba, the Ewaso Nyiro River, the Samburu people, Isiolo and Archers Post, Lewa, park fees, wildlife, history, lodges, weather and getting there. Prices are in US dollars or Kenyan shillings, with the year given. They change, so check before you travel.
Our picks: Samburu safaris
If time is short, the two- and three-day fly-in trips replace the long drive from Nairobi. For a first visit by road, the three-day trips with meals and a night in the reserve area are the simplest to plan, and the two-day trip is the cheaper way in, with less time on the ground.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
2-day fly-in safari to Samburu
- Return flights from Nairobi
- Park fees included
- One night, full board
After a van transfer of about 40 minutes you fly for roughly 105 minutes each way instead of driving. An afternoon and a morning game drive fill the stay.
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3-day safari through Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs
- Park entries included
- Hotel or airport pickup
- English-speaking driver-guide
Day one is a game drive through all three reserves, in a minivan for the road trip from Nairobi. The overnight stay is not spelled out, so ask what you get.
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3-day fly-in safari to Samburu
- Return flights from Wilson Airport
- Three guided game drives
- Full board at a camp
A morning flight of about one hour replaces the long road trip from Nairobi. Ask whether park fees are included, the details do not say.
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3-day private safari to Samburu by road
- Pop-up roof safari vehicle
- Hotel or airport pickup
- Two nights at a camp
Game drives over three days, driven from Nairobi and back. Entry fees are paid in cash on the spot, so budget for them.
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3-day Samburu safari with a forest walk
- All park fees included
- Ngare Ndare canopy walk
- 4x4 Land Cruiser and local guide
Day one is a forest day with optional swimming, then Samburu with a camp in the reserve. The way back to Nairobi follows a morning game drive on day three.
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2-day Buffalo Springs and Samburu safari
- Game drives in both reserves
- One night, full board
- Driver-guide and water
The road north stops in Nanyuki, with lunch in Isiolo. Park fees are extra and so is the village visit, so ask what they add up to.
Check availability →Samburu safaris and tours
Road and fly-in safaris to Samburu, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Samburu trip
Start with the safari page, then pick the places you want to add.
Samburu safari
Road and fly-in safaris, game drives and what each option involves.
The Special Five
Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
A community-run elephant orphanage in Namunyak, with booking rules and donations.
Buffalo Springs
A separate reserve of 131 km² across the river, with springs and riverine forest.
Shaba National Reserve
A reserve of 239 km², founded in 1974, and its link to Joy Adamson.
Ewaso Nyiro River
The river that runs past all three reserves, with its drought and flood years.
Samburu people
Language, beadwork and how to visit with respect.
Isiolo and Archers Post
The gateway towns, the distance between them and the road north.
Practical pages
Fees, lodging, weather and the way in.
Lewa Conservancy
Rhinos, a conservancy with its own rules, and how to visit.
Samburu park fees
County fees, payment and gates for the three reserves.
Samburu animals
Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs and birds.
History of the reserve
From an early game reserve to the national reserve of 1985.
Where to stay
Lodges and campsites by area, and what to check before you book.
Weather and best time
Rainy seasons, heat and how to plan around them.
Nairobi to Samburu
By road via Isiolo or by flight from Nairobi Wilson.
Three reserves on one river
Each one has its own administration, fees and rules.
| Reserve | Size | County | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samburu National Reserve | 165 km² | Samburu County | 1985 |
| Buffalo Springs National Reserve | 131 km² | Isiolo County | 1985 |
| Shaba National Reserve | 239 km² | Isiolo County | 1974 |
For most first visits, Samburu and Buffalo Springs are the natural pair, because they face each other across the Ewaso Nyiro. Add Shaba as a separate day if you have the time. Plan on fees for each reserve, so see the park fees page before you plan.
A few things to know before you go
The points that most often change a plan.
Samburu is run by the county
Samburu National Reserve is administered by Samburu County Government, and Buffalo Springs and Shaba sit on the Isiolo side. A national Kenya Wildlife Service fee schedule does not apply to them by default, so check the fee for each reserve.
Park fees →Two dates, two things
Samburu has been a national reserve since 1985. An earlier Samburu-Isiolo Game Reserve goes back to 1948. These are different steps, not two dates for the same founding.
History →Reteti visits need a booking
Visits run seven days a week and must be reserved at least 24 hours ahead, with no booking on the day. The minimum donation is $75 for an international adult and $50 for a child under 15 in 2026.
Reteti →Elephant numbers have a context
A research centre has worked in the area since 1997 and has identified more than 900 individual elephants over the decades. That is a long-term record, not a count of the elephants in the reserve today.
Animals →Plan with current advice
The German Federal Foreign Office currently advises particular caution in Samburu and in the area where Laikipia, Meru and Isiolo meet. Since October 2026, most visitors staying under 12 months need Kenya's national travel health insurance as part of the eTA process. During the short rains, roughly October to December, do not cross flooded rivers or washed-out roads.
Getting there →Beyond Samburu
Other Kenyan parks with their own guides.
If your trip continues south, the Maasai Mara has its own guide, and Tsavo covers the east and west parks. This site stays with Samburu and the places you can reach from it.
More independent guides to Kenya
Separate guides from the same team.
Kenya Coast
Diani Beach, Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi and safaris to Tsavo East.
Lamu
The Swahili old town, dhow trips and the islands of the archipelago.
Maasai Mara
Safaris, the Great Migration, balloon flights and park fees.
Amboseli
Elephant herds, Kilimanjaro views, safaris and park fees.
Nairobi National Park
Game drives in the capital, the Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage.
Lake Nakuru
Rhinos, flamingos, Rift Valley lakes and day trips from Nairobi.
Tsavo
Tsavo East and West, red elephants and safaris from Mombasa.
Lake Naivasha
Boat rides with hippos, Crescent Island and Mount Longonot.
Hell's Gate
Cycling, the gorge walk and the Olkaria geothermal spa.
Ol Pejeta
Rhinos, the last northern white rhinos, chimpanzees and Nanyuki.
Mount Kenya
Treks to Point Lenana, the climbing routes and park fees.
Aberdare
Waterfalls, Treetops, mountain forest safaris and Nyeri.
Samburu National Reserve: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Samburu?
Kenya has two rainy seasons, March to May and roughly October to December. Which month suits you depends on how much rain and heat you accept. The weather page explains how to plan around the seasons.
How do I get to Samburu National Reserve?
By road, the A2 runs from Nairobi through Nanyuki and Isiolo to Archers Post, about 320–350 km and 6–7 hours depending on where you end up. The last stretches to the gates and camps are unpaved. By air, scheduled flights leave from Nairobi Wilson Airport. Check the current timetable. See getting there.
How much does it cost to enter?
Fees depend on your visitor category and are set by the county. Check the current fee for Samburu, Buffalo Springs or Shaba before you go, and plan for each reserve to be charged on its own. See park fees.
Is Samburu a national park?
Officially it is Samburu National Reserve, not a national park. Many visitors search for the park, but the reserve is run by Samburu County Government, not by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Can I visit the Reteti elephant sanctuary?
Yes, with a booking made at least 24 hours ahead. Reteti lies in Namunyak Community Conservancy. The turn-off is after the bridge and the secondary school in Sereolipi, then 19 km on a dirt road where a high-clearance 4×4 is recommended. See the Reteti page.
Is samburu-national-reserve.org the official site of the reserve?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to Samburu County, Isiolo County, the Kenya Wildlife Service, Reteti, Lewa or any safari operator or lodge.