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At a glance

  • See the Samburu Special Five: beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk antelope and Somali ostrich
  • The Ewaso Ngiro River is the heart of the reserve and contrasts beautifully with the dry and arid landscape
  • Excellent birdlife with over 450 recorded bird species
  • One of the best places in Kenya to see elephants
  • Samburu is well known for its walking safaris, in particular walking safaris with camels, a unique way to explore this remote wilderness

Overview

Samburu offers a true taste of wilderness, richly rewarding for its dramatic desert landscapes and wide array of wildlife. The three reserves of Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs all draw life from the Ewaso Ngiro River, whose waters feed a permanent ribbon of green doum palm and acacia tortilis forests. It’s these that allow such large concentrations of wildlife to survive in an otherwise arid landscape.

When to visit

  • January
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    55mm
    Average Rainfall
    January is the height of the summer season and falls into the short dry season. It's an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses making for excellent game viewing. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool, so layers are recommended.
  • February
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    42mm
    Average Rainfall
    February is well into the short dry season with hot, dry and clear days with little chance of rain. It's an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses making for excellent game viewing. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool, so layers are recommended.
  • March
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    95mm
    Average Rainfall
    For most of March, days are warm and dry, however Kenya is approaching its 'long rains' and while Samburu is unlikely to see as much rain as areas further south, you may get the odd shower. Overall though it's still a good time to visit, with warm temperatures and short grasses making for excellent game viewing. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool, so layers are recommended.
  • April
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    123mm
    Average Rainfall
    April heralds the start of the green season and the beginning of the long rains, which bring a slight drop in temperature and an explosion of greenery along the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro. Days are still warm but evenings can be cool. It's a great time for photography thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity.
  • May
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    120mm
    Average Rainfall
    May is characterised by the long rains, vegetation is thick and tracks into the park become very muddy. Days are warm and wet with cool evenings so layers are recommended. The increased rainfall results in more water sources, which combined with thicker vegetation makes wildlife viewing more challenging. However, with careful planning this is still an excellent time to visit: the landscape is lush and bright and there is hardly anyone else around. It's also a great time for photography thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity.
  • June
    26ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    20mm
    Average Rainfall
    Dry weather for the most part returns to Kenya in June, though there may still be some light showers. Days are clear and sunny with low humidity and evenings can be cool, so layers are recommended. The grasses and vegetation are still verdant after the rains making some wildlife viewing a bit more difficult. However, as water sources start to dissipate, animals begin to congregate around rivers and permanent water holes, making them easier to spot.
  • July
    26ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    20mm
    Average Rainfall
    Winter continues through July with warm dry days and very little rain. Nights and early mornings can be very chilly due to the higher altitude, especially when you take the wind chill in open safari vehicles into account. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing with animals congregating along the Ewaso Ngiro River to drink and feed.
  • August
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    25mm
    Average Rainfall
    August is the last month of winter in Kenya. Days are pleasantly warm with very little rain, though nights and early mornings can be chilly. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing with animals congregating along the Ewaso Ngiro River to drink and feed.
  • September
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    30mm
    Average Rainfall
    Temperatures start to increase as Kenya moves out of its winter. Days are warm and clear with little chance of rain, though early mornings and evenings can be chilly. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing with animals congregating along the Ewaso Ngiro River to drink and feed.
  • October
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    35mm
    Average Rainfall
    October is the last month in the dry season before the short rains start in November. Temperatures are on the rise, days are warm and clear with little chance of rain, though early mornings and evenings can still be chilly. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing with animals congregating along the Ewaso Ngiro River to drink and feed. Many migrant bird species start to arrive from Europe at this time.
  • November
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    105mm
    Average Rainfall
    November sees the start of the short rains, bringing with it a return to green and lush landscapes. Wildlife viewing becomes a bit more challenging with the thickening of vegetation and more surface water, though there are lots of newborn animals around. Days are hot with cooler evenings and mornings. The birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present.
  • December
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    17ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    80mm
    Average Rainfall
    By December the short rains have ended for the most part and the country tends to be sunny and dry, with lush landscapes following the short rains in November. Days are hot and humid but evenings can be cool. Wildlife viewing is a bit challenging due to the thicker vegetation. The birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present.

Accommodation

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