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Weather in Samburu National Reserve
Rare Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe in dry thornbush
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About Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve showcases Africa's rarest wildlife: Grevy's zebras, reticulated giraffes, and gerenuk antelopes adapted to dry thornbush that elsewhere seems barren. The Samburu people's traditions remain intertwined with the landscape.
Best months to visit
January, May, June, July, August, September
Language
English, Samburu, Swahili
Things to do in Samburu National Reserve
Game drive spotting rare species
Meet Samburu warrior pastoralists
Hike scenic ridges
Spot endangered species
Fish the Ewaso Nyiro River
Photography safaris
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
Recommended
January
31C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
February
32C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
March
32C
Hot and humid, with occasional showers.
April
31C
Hot and humid, with some rainy days.
Recommended
May
31C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
June
31C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
July
30C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
August
31C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
September
32C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
October
32C
Hot and humid, with occasional showers.
November
29C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
December
30C
Hot and humid, with occasional showers.
Samburu National Reserve, in Kenya's arid north, sits along the Ewaso Nyiro River and is known for species rarely seen in the more famous southern parks, including the gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra and Somali ostrich — collectively dubbed the 'Samburu Special Five'. The river is the focus of nearly all wildlife activity, drawing elephants, leopards and lions to its banks against a backdrop of dramatic, dry red-earth landscapes.
Best areas to stay in Samburu National Reserve
Ewaso Nyiro riverside
The heart of the reserve, where most camps sit and where wildlife concentrates along the river.
Buffalo Springs
An adjoining reserve with natural springs and similar arid-country wildlife.
Shaba National Reserve
A quieter neighbouring reserve with rugged volcanic scenery and fewer visitors.
Samburu community areas
Villages near the reserve offering cultural visits and craft markets.
Getting to Samburu National Reserve
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Flights
Fly into Nairobi, then take a short connecting flight (around 1 hour) or a 5-6 hour road transfer to Samburu.
⏱
From London
~9-10 hours from London plus the connection to Samburu.
🚕
Getting around
Game drives in 4x4 vehicles are the main way to explore; camps arrange airstrip or road transfers.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Samburu?
June to October and January to February are drier periods when wildlife concentrates along the Ewaso Nyiro River.
What is the 'Samburu Special Five'?
Gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich and Beisa oryx — species adapted to this arid region and rarely found in southern Kenyan parks.
How does Samburu differ from the Maasai Mara?
Samburu is drier, less crowded and known for its unique arid-adapted wildlife and dramatic landscapes, rather than the huge herd migrations of the Mara.
Can you combine Samburu with cultural visits?
Yes — visits to local Samburu communities are commonly offered, providing insight into the pastoralist culture the reserve is named after.
How do you get to Samburu?
Light aircraft flights from Nairobi take around an hour, or it's a scenic 5-6 hour road journey north from the capital.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Seeing gerenuk standing on their hind legs to browse was such a novelty after expecting 'typical' safari animals — Samburu felt genuinely different.
Lucy A. · August 2023
★★★★★
The riverside camps put you right in the action — elephants walked past our tent and a leopard was spotted from the dining area one evening.
Mark H. · February 2024
★★★★☆
Quieter and drier than the Mara as advertised, with a real sense of remoteness. The Samburu village visit was a thoughtful addition.
Anya K. · October 2022
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