Northern Kenya
Samburu
Source: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
The source lists the Isiolo County Government as manager of the reserves; check which county manages the reserve you visit.
Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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About Samburu
A group of reserves in northern Kenya — Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba — known for wildlife that is uncommon elsewhere in Kenya, such as Grevy's zebra and the reticulated giraffe.
Source: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
Highlights
- Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe
- Rugged northern landscapes
- Three neighbouring reserves covering about 620 km² in all
Source: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
Suggested time
At least 2 days
KenyaPlus editorial guidance for a comfortable visit, not an official rule.
Confirm before booking
- Reserve entry fees and which county collects them
- Flights to the area, or road conditions if driving
- Current official travel advice for northern Kenya
KenyaPlus does not yet hold verified data for these.
When to go
Rain affects travel in Kenya, especially on unpaved roads. Here is the yearly pattern and the current forecast for Samburu, both from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
- January: between the rains.
- February: between the rains.
- March: long rains.
- April: long rains, expected peak.
- May: long rains.
- June: between the rains.
- July: between the rains.
- August: between the rains.
- September: between the rains.
- October: short rains.
- November: short rains.
- December: short rains.
- Long rains
- Short rains
- Between the rains
- Expected peak (2026 outlook)
A summary of Kenya's national rainfall pattern from the Kenya Meteorological Department: long rains March to May (with the peak in April inland and May on the coast, as KMD expected for 2026) and short rains October to December. Other months are shown as between the rains. Rain varies by year and place, and between-the-rains months can still be wet.
Forecast: October–December 2026
For much of Samburu County, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains starting in the 3rd to 4th week of October and ending in the 1st week of December.
Source: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
A seasonal forecast, not a guarantee. KMD also issues monthly and weekly updates.
Kenya's rainy seasons
March to May is the main rainfall season — the “long rains” — over most parts of Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2026 season (KMD/FCST/01-2026/SO/01) (opens in a new tab); Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2025 season (KMD/FCST/01-2025/SO/01) (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
For the 2026 long rains, the Kenya Meteorological Department expected the peak in April over most regions, and in May along the coast.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
October to December brings the “short rains”, a major rainfall season in Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
More in our guide: Best time to visit Kenya.
Guides for Samburu
Samburu: northern Kenya's reserves
Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba — the Ewaso Ngiro river, Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe, and planning a long journey north.
Mount Kenya
Africa's second-highest mountain: its forests, moorlands and glaciers, the Lewa extension of the World Heritage Site, and what to plan.
Meru National Park: rivers, rhinos and Elsa's country
A quieter park east of Meru town — the rhino sanctuary, thirteen rivers, and the story of Elsa the lioness.
Things to do in Samburu
Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Wildlife encounters
Spot northern Kenya's rare species in Samburu
Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe along the Ewaso Ngiro.
Where: Samburu
Where next from Samburu
Close by
Photo: Galkey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Mount Kenyaabout 3½ h by road (estimate)
Photo: Nina R · CC BY 2.0 · original
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Meru National Parkabout 5 h by road (estimate)
Photo: Matteo Frigo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Aberdare National Parkabout 5½ h by road (estimate)
If you like Samburu
Photo: Syllabub · CC BY-SA 3.0 · original
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Lake NakuruAlso good for safari, wildlife
Photo: Ninaras · CC BY 4.0 · original
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AmboseliAlso good for safari, wildlife
Photo: Richard Mortel · CC BY 4.0 · original
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Tsavo West National ParkAlso good for safari, wildlife
Thinking of visiting Samburu?
Add it to a plan and run the Trip Reality Check.
Sources
- Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) — Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba National Reserves (checked 16 Oct 2026)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us — we check corrections against the source before changing anything.