Samburu National Reserve Facts
Samburu National Reserve Facts : In 1948, the present-day Samburu National Reserve was established as a wildlife protected area, part of the larger Marsabit National Reserve. A senior ranger for the National Reserve named Rodney Elliott later made a suggestion to the Samburu District that, in his view, the region north of the Ewaso Ngiro River ought to have been designated as a separate reserve. The African District Council of Samburu was tasked with overseeing the National Reserve upon its official establishment in 1962, as determined by the then-Minister of Local Governments in 1963.Currently managed by the Samburu communities living there under the direction of a centralised local government, the Reserve is a community-based wilderness that is protected. Samburu National Reserve and Meru National Park are the two locations where renowned lioness Elsa was raised by conservationists George and Joy Adamson before being released into the wild.
This reserve, which has an arid and semi-arid environment, is well-known for the wide range of animals it offers and, more importantly, for the fact that certain species, such as the Grevy zebra and reticulated giraffe, are unique to this area. In addition, the reserve boasts breathtaking views of expansive, open spaces that stretch for miles, an excellent year-round climate, and globally recognised lodging options that range from luxurious Tented Camps and safari lodges to affordable camping. Samburu checks all the boxes for travellers looking to experience one of Africa’s most breathtaking destinations.
Situated in the Samburu District, the Samburu National Reserve spans an area of approximately 165 square kilometres, or 64 Square miles, and is situated between 800 and 1,230 metres above sea level, north of the Equator. The reserve is a component of a much broader ecosystem that also includes the Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves, which are nearby. The areas of Buffalo Springs and Shaba are roughly 131 and 239 square kilometres, respectively. Samburu is known for its semi-desert and desert regions, as well as its warm, dry climate. The Ewaso Nyiro River, which forms the reserve’s southern boundary, is the only permanent water source in the area, even during the dry season. All of the reserve’s animal life depends on this river.
Native to North-Central Kenya, the Samburu people are a nomadic group that lives in an arid region. They are among the most well-known and fascinating tribes in Kenya, and they continue to follow many of their customs despite being mostly cut off from the advances of contemporary society. The Samburu are known for their distinct nomadic lifestyle and manner of life, as well as their traditional body wraps, or “shukas,” which are typically red or vividly coloured.
Samburu cultural tour
North-central Kenya is home to the Nilotic, semi-nomadic Samburu shepherds. The Samburu people speak the Nilotic Samburu dialect of the Maa language. After the Purko and Kisonko (Isikirari) tribes in Kenya and Tanzania, the Samburu subtribe is the third largest in the Maa community in both countries. Like the Maasai tribe, the Samburu people dwell in regions south of Lake Turkana and surrounding Samburu National Reserve, where they are mainly undisturbed by modern society. They still practise many of their traditional ways. What can you expect to see when you visit a Samburu village? This hour-long tour to a Samburu hamlet offers the opportunity to engage with the people and gain insight into their distinct way of life, culture, and customs.
A few hours are allotted for this quick interactive visit to the community, which is often located on the boundaries of the Samburu game reserve. The Samburu Cultural Visit is frequently an excursion integrated into a lengthier multi-day Samburu safari tour. A common question from visitors is how much it costs to go to a Samburu village. The cost of a village tour, which includes return road transports from your Samburu lodge or camp to the village and a fee payment to the village, ranges from USD 30 to USD 50 per person. When you go on a road safari with your own Driver-Guide, who will pay the admission fee, the cost is frequently less. The higher fee of USD 50 per person typically applies if you are arriving by air on a package safari. The camp will then bill you for the village visit; in this scenario, the cost per person can again vary from USD 30 to USD 50 depending on the camp you are staying at and the village you are visiting. Note that although you are not required to purchase anything from the residents after paying the entry fee, you could be expected to do so once you are in the village.
The Samburu people reside in rounded huts with a small, blanket-closed entrance. The houses feature two openings, which filter light and allow smoke from a fire that is usually burning within to be expelled outside, where it is typically utilised for cooking. The mud, cow dung, and interlaced sticks that the women use to build the homes are simply disassembled, carried, and reassembled elsewhere. The husband and his sons have one little chamber in the interior of the hut, while the wife and her daughters use the other. Four to 10 families live in a cluster of these houses that together make up the Samburu word “manyatta” hamlet; In general, a village is not permanent; after settling down for a maximum of two months, it relocates in an ongoing effort to find fresh pastures for its animals.
Samburu National Reserve wildlife
Even though the reserve is well-known for its “special five”—Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and generuk—it also contains a wide variety of other mammal, bird, and reptile species, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, several antelope species, gazelles, warthogs, jackals, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, a birding safari in Kenya with over 450 species of birds. Of particular, the reserve is home to an estimated 900 elephants, which are frequently spotted strolling down to the river for a drink and cool down.
Why visit Samburu National Reserve Samburu National Reserve provides a distinctive kenya safari tour experience that is set apart by a few essential elements. First of all, the Ewaso Nyiro River and the region’s arid, hilly, and varied terrain create a breathtaking background for a richly varied environment. In contrast to other reserves, Samburu is home to endangered species such Somali ostriches, Grevy’s zebras, and gerenuk, collectively known as the “Samburu Special 5.” An additional highlight is the opportunity for cultural safari immersion, which allows tourists to interact with the indigenous Samburu tribes, who are well-known for their vibrant clothing and unique customs that provide a window into their rich history. Every kenya safari at this reserve is incredibly unique and unforgettable because of the less congested setting, which also permits more personal wildlife viewing.
