Samburu lodges and camps by area
Samburu National Reserve has places to stay inside it and at its edge, plus public campsites. Beyond the reserve, lodging in the wider Samburu area, in neighbouring conservancies and in towns such as Isiolo is a different choice. The reserve lies on the north bank of the Ewaso Nyiro, and your base decides how long the drive to the gate is. If you book a safari, ask where the Samburu safari tours sleep.
Room prices, availability and opening status change from season to season, so confirm that a place is open for your dates before you plan around it.
Where to base yourself
Five areas, and what each one means for your days.
Inside or at the edge of the reserve
A lodge or camp here shortens the drive to the game drives. Ask which gate it uses and how far the camp is from the river.
Westgate and Kalama conservancies
Westgate borders the reserve to the west and Kalama to the north. These are community conservancies, and lodging there is not inside the reserve. Rules and fees can differ from the reserve.
Isiolo
Isiolo is the larger gateway town, 34 km from Archers Post. It is a base for a road journey, not a stay inside the reserve.
Namunyak area near Reteti
The Reteti sanctuary offers no guest accommodation itself. Lodging in the wider Namunyak area is a separate choice.
Reteti →Our pick: stay and safari in one booking
Accommodation and meals are part of this three-day trip, if you would rather not book a bed separately.
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.
Samburu safaris and tours
Road and fly-in safaris to Samburu, with live prices and availability.
Samburu lodge: what to check before you book
Questions that tell lodges and camps apart.
Is it inside the reserve?
The name of a place in the wider Samburu area does not show that it lies inside the reserve. Ask for its exact position and its gate.
What is included?
Ask about meals, game drives, transfers and whether park fees are in the rate. See the park fees page for what to confirm.
How do you arrive?
By air, ask about pick-up at the airstrip. By road, the last stretch is unpaved, so ask about the route.
Getting there →Is it open?
Opening status can change. Confirm it for your dates, and ask how the lodging handles the rainy seasons.
What about floods?
The Ewaso Nyiro has had flood and drought years, and the river rises quickly in heavy rain. A past flood does not mean a place is closed today. Ask about access in the short rains, roughly October to December.
Ewaso Nyiro →Camping in Samburu
Public and special campsites.
Samburu has public campsites called Butterfly, Vervet and Jua Kali, and special campsites called Kimpla Geo, Aardvark and Grant. These are names, not a guarantee that a site is open. Check which ones are open, what facilities they have, whether you must reserve and what the camping fee is before you go. Camping may be charged on top of entry.
| Type | Sites | Check before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Public campsites | Butterfly, Vervet, Jua Kali | Open status, rate, water and power |
| Special campsites | Kimpla Geo, Aardvark, Grant | Open status, rate, how to reserve |
For most visitors without their own camping gear, a lodge or a camp with beds is the simpler choice. Choose a campsite if you bring your own equipment and have confirmed that the site is open.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where lodging fits.
Samburu park fees
County fees, payment and gates for the three reserves.
Weather and best time
Rainy seasons and how to plan around them.
Nairobi to Samburu
By road via Isiolo or by flight from Nairobi Wilson.
If you compare Kenyan parks, the Maasai Mara lodging guide covers another region.
Samburu lodges: frequently asked questions
Where should I stay in Samburu?
For most first visits, a lodge or camp inside the reserve or at its edge keeps the drives short. If you arrive by road and want an early start, Archers Post or Isiolo work as a base.
Can I camp in Samburu National Reserve?
Samburu has public campsites called Butterfly, Vervet and Jua Kali and special campsites called Kimpla Geo, Aardvark and Grant. Check which are open and how to reserve.
Does a lodge in Samburu mean it is inside the reserve?
Not always. Westgate and Kalama are conservancies next to the reserve, and the wider Samburu area has more places to stay. Ask for the exact position.
Can I stay at the Reteti elephant sanctuary?
The sanctuary itself has no guest accommodation. Lodging in the wider Namunyak area is a separate choice. Visits need a booking at least 24 hours ahead.
Are park fees included in a lodge rate?
That depends on the rate. Ask what the price includes, and see the park fees page for what to confirm.
Is samburu-national-reserve.org a lodge booking site or the official site?
No. This is an independent guide, not the official site of the reserve or the county, and it is not connected to any lodge or safari operator.