Samburu National Reserve lies in the Northern part of Kenya. Count Telekis Companion Von Holnel, visited the area in the early 1860s and described it as teeming with game especially buffalos and rhinos. The Waso Nyiro became renowned early this century as “big game country” and attracted such famous hunters as Arthur Neumann who set up a camp on the site where Samburu lodge now stands.

Samburu National Reserve is one of the 56 protected areas in Kenya. It is famous North of the equator because of the richness of flora and fauna; it can be reached through Nairobi-Isiolo-Marsabit road and Maralal-Wamba-Isolo road. Lying on the flood plains and bottom land of Waso Nyiro drainage system in the Great Rift Valley. It rises to an altitude of 2785 ft above sea level and covers an area of 390 km2.Samburu National Reserve was established in 1948 as part of the enormous Marsabit National Reserve under the national park ordinance. Marsabit National Reserve was gazetted in 1961 and the Senior Game Warden of Samburu District Rodney Elliott suggested to the Samburu County Council that an area north of the river be set aside as a game reserve. It became a reality due to foresight of the County Council and generous assistance given by several individuals and foundations. In 1962 with the financial help from Elsa Trust, Samburu Game Reserve was formed. In January 1963 the Minister for Local Government recommended Samburu National Reserve to be administered by the African District Council of Samburu

Major attractions

Its home to the big five

Elephant

Lion

Rhino

Leopard

Buffalo

Other animals of interest are:

Gerenuk

Reticulated Giraffe

Somali Ostrich

Gravy Zebra

Besia Oryx

Wild Dog- Endangered

Pun cake Tortoise - Endangered

It contains over 450 species of indigenous bird

Communities

The neighbouring communities to the reserve are the Samburu tribe a clan of the Maasai. They play a major role as part of tourist attraction in the area due to their unique cultural experiences by tourist through traditional ceremonies, food, dances and sale of traditional crafts.

Access is simple– by Air and Road

Through the Isiolo – Marsabit A2 main road

Nairobi to SNR 347 km

Maralal to SNR 222 km

The access infrastructure is fairly complete.

Good and controlled game drive road network in the reserve.

Cultural and community attractions

Unique cultural experience of the Samburu (the butterfly people) by visitors

They have cultural villages where they sell their traditional craft

They dance traditional songs

They can provide traditional food

They accommodate visitors in their traditional huts and community campsites.

The communities around the reserve have started community wildlife conservancies for wildlife conservation outside the reserve.

The communities around the reserve receives revenue sharing which they put back toward uplifting their livelihood and conservation, through employing, training and equipping community game scouts to conserve wildlife in their area.

Through the revenue sharing they are encouraged to open up the corridors for the migratory species

Since the area is small it also encourage the communities to enlarge the dispersal areas for wildlife