Samburu National Reserve

There is a wide variety of animals and birdlife seen at Samburu National Reserve. Four of the Big 5 are available here aside from Rhino. Several large game animal species common to Kenya's northern plains can be found in abundance here, including the following dry-country fauna: gerenuk, Elands, Grevy's zebra, oryx and reticulated giraffe. These dry-country animals are rarely seen in other Kenyan national reserves and parks. All three big cats, the lion, cheetah and African leopard can also be found here, as well as the elephant, Cape buffalo and hippopotamus.

The Samburu National Reserve is also the home of Kamunyak, a lioness famous for adopting oryx calves. Some fortunate visitors might get to see a truly incredible battle when lions and Nile crocodiles fight over prey on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Other mammals frequently seen in the park include olive baboon, warthogs, Grant's gazelle, Kirk's dik-dik, impala, and waterbuck. 

For wildlife viewing, the best time to visit the Samburu National Reserve is during the dry season, between June and October, and December and March. With the drying vegetation, it's simpler to spot animals that assemble around the water holes. During the wet season, with its bountiful water supply, animals once in a while need to go far looking for water, and the long grass makes it harder to spot them.

Samburu National Reserve is a premier bird-watching destination with more than 350 recorded bird species. The reserves protect a variety of habitats, home to different bird species including arid acacia savannah, scrub and gallery forest alongside the Uaso Nyiro River. The dry, open country offers very rewarding birding opportunities and boasts several northeast African dry-country species shared with Ethiopia and Somalia, such as vulturine guineafowl, Somali bee-eater and Golden-breasted Starling. Some other notable species found include grey-headed kingfisher, sunbirds, bee-eaters, Marabou stork, tawny eagle, Verreaux's eagle, bateleur, vulturine guineafowl, yellow-necked spurfowl, lilac-breasted roller, secretary bird, superb starling, northern red-billed hornbill, yellow-billed hornbill, and various vultures including the palm-nut vulture.

Samburu is a bird watcher's delight the entire year. Numerous unusual, dry-country specials live here and can be spotted all year. Migratory birds show up in the reserve from November to April. One significant thought is the climate, as substantial showers can wreck your birding plans – November and April get the most precipitation.

For wildlife viewing, the best time to visit the Samburu National Reserve is during the dry season, between June and October, and December and March. With the drying vegetation, it's simpler to spot animals that assemble around the water holes. During the wet season, with its bountiful water supply, animals once in a while need to go far looking for water, and the long grass makes it harder to spot them.