Wildlife encounters

Spot northern Kenya's rare species in Samburu

Up north the landscape turns dry and dramatic, and so does the wildlife: animals you won't see in the south, drinking at the river.

KenyaPlus's own description. The facts below come from the sources shown.

Where

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.
Information status: Verified
Source: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
More in the guide: Samburu: northern Kenya's reserves
Over 380 bird species have been recorded. Threatened mammals include Grevy's zebra, elephants and cheetahs, and reticulated giraffes occur in good numbers.
Information status: Verified
Source: Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
From a factsheet last assessed in 2001; wildlife numbers change.
More in the guide: Samburu: northern Kenya's reserves
Samburu and Buffalo Springs lie on either side of the Northern Ewaso Ngiro river, about 340 km north-north-east of Nairobi.
Information status: Verified
Source: Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
More in the guide: Samburu: northern Kenya's reserves