Destination guide
Samburu: northern Kenya's reserves
Reviewed 16 Oct 2026 · Each statement is labelled.
The reserves
Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba are neighbouring reserves in northern Kenya, known for wildlife 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
Samburu and Buffalo Springs lie on either side of the Northern Ewaso Ngiro river, about 340 km north-north-east of Nairobi.
Source: Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
Habitats range from rocky cliffs, swamps and riverine forest to arid open bush and grassland.
Source: Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
Over 380 bird species have been recorded. Threatened mammals include Grevy's zebra, elephants and cheetahs, and reticulated giraffes occur in good numbers.
Source: Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
From a factsheet last assessed in 2001; wildlife numbers change.
The reserve was established in 1948 as part of the Samburu–Isiolo Game Reserve, and its present boundaries date from 1985.
Source: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
The Kenya Biodiversity page lists the Isiolo County Government as manager of the reserves.
Source: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
Samburu National Reserve itself may be run by a different county — confirm before you pay fees.
Planning your visit
It's a long drive from Nairobi (see the table). Consider flying, or break the journey with a night on the way.
KenyaPlus planning advice, not from an official source.
Road times
The table below shows KenyaPlus estimates of driving time, not live traffic data.
Worked out as described under the table: from openrouteservice road routes plus an allowance for stops where KenyaPlus holds them, otherwise straight-line distance × 1.3 at an assumed 50 km/h average, including stops.
| To | From Nairobi | From Mombasa |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | — | ~6½ h (long day) |
| Maasai Mara | ~5 h | ~11½ h (too far for one day) |
| Amboseli | ~4½ h | ~6½ h (long day) |
| Diani Beach | ~7 h (long day) | ~½ h |
| Mombasa | ~6½ h (long day) | — |
| Naivasha | ~1½ h | ~8 h (long day) |
| Lake Nakuru | ~2½ h | ~9 h (long day) |
| Tsavo East | ~5½ h | ~3 h |
| Samburu | ~5½ h | ~12 h (too far for one day) |
| Lamu | ~10 hto Mokowe + boat (too far for one day) | ~5½ hto Mokowe + boat |
| Mount Kenya | ~3 h | ~9½ h (too far for one day) |
| Malindi | ~9 h (long day) | ~2 h |
| Watamu | ~8½ h (long day) | ~2 h |
| Aberdare National Park | ~4 h | ~10½ h (too far for one day) |
| Lake Bogoria | ~4½ h | ~11 h (too far for one day) |
| Kakamega Forest | ~6 h (long day) | ~12½ h (too far for one day) |
| Tsavo West National Park | ~4½ h | ~4½ h |
| Meru National Park | ~6 h (long day) | ~12½ h (too far for one day) |
| Shimba Hills National Reserve | ~11½ h (too far for one day) | ~1 h |
| Mount Elgon National Park | ~6½ h (long day) | ~13 h (too far for one day) |
Driving time on the road route plus 20% for stops and slower traffic (Road routes © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT, map data © OpenStreetMap contributors). Orange: a long day (over 6 h). Red: too far for one day (over 9 h).
Confirm before you travel
- Reserve entry fees and which county collects them for the reserve you're visiting
- Flights to the area, or road conditions if you're driving
- Current official travel advice for northern Kenya
Ready to plan?
Turn this into a day-by-day 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)
- Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) — Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves — Key Biodiversity Area factsheet (last assessed 2001) (checked 16 Oct 2026)