Samburu national park
Samburu park is a relatively small national park in Kenya found in Samburu county of Kenya and situated on the banks of river Uaso Nyiro, Samburu national park and buffalo springs national reserve are both situated on the two side of the river. Samburu park covers an area of 165 square kilometers and situated 350 kilometers from Nairobi city the starting point of most safaris in Kenya.
Though relatively small and less known Samburu park is rich with wildlife, the park is one of the two areas George and joy Adamson the conservationists raised Elsa the lioness. The park is also a home to kamunyak a lioness which adopted Oryx calves.
Attractions in Samburu national park
Birds
Samburu national park is a prominent habitant for birds in Kenya habiting over 390 bird species, the park’s bird population includes various bird species/ types that is savannah birds, endemic species, water species, forest species and northeast. Birds in Samburu park thrive and are spotted in various zones of the park that is arid acacia savannah, scrub and forest galleries which are majorly found along Uaso Nyiro River which drains through the park. Bird species in the park include acacia tit, bare-eyed thrush, African palm swift ,ashy cisticola, black-bellied sunbird, black-capped social weaver, brown-tailed rock chat, chestnut-headed sparrow lark, chestnut weaver, Donaldson-smith’s sparrow-weaver, Fischer’s starling, golden pipit, golden-breasted starling, greater kestrel, grey wren-warbler, hunter’s sunbird, lanner falcon, Mariqua sunbird, northern brownbul, palm-nut vulture, pink-breasted lark, pygmy batis, red-bellied parrot, red-necked falcon, red-winged lark, Reichenow’s seedeater, rosy-patched bush-shrike, secretary bird, singing bush lark, somali bee-eater, somali ostrich, spotted palm-thrush, von der Decken’s hornbill, vulturine guinea fowl, white-headed mouse bird, yellow-vented Eremomera and many more. Samburu park also receives migratory bird species in the period of November to April.
Beautiful scenery
Samburu national park is comprises of a scenic landscape which is dominated by semi-arid savannah vegetation cover which extends to river Ewaso Nyero, riverine forests along the river and dry acacia shrubs. The park’s landscape also consists of Koitogor hill, this hill is situated in the middle of the reserve, and the park’s landscape is also drained by river Uaso Nyiro which is a perfect spot to view a huge population of animals and birds that live in the park.
Things to do in Samburu national park
Game drive
Samburu national park offers an awesome game drive experience to tourists visiting the park, as you drive through the flat plains of the park you spot variety of animals which are habitants to the park. Samburu park is a habitant to four of the big five which are easily spotted while on a game drive in the park, generally animals spotted in the park include masai giraffe, beisa Oryx, herds of elephants, hippopotamus, buffalo, leopards, lesser and greater kadu, zebras, hyena and many more.
Various sessions of game drives are offered in Samburu park that is morning game drive afternoon game drive and evening game drive. The best time to go for game drives/ wildlife viewing in Samburu park in the dry season where less rain is received in the park, dry season in Samburu park happens in the period of June to October. In this period the vegetation cover is thin and short offering uninterrupted views of the animals and the animals such as cheetah, elephants are easy to spot drinking water at various water spots in the park.
Bird watching
Samburu national park is a bird’s haven hosting more than 390 bird species, bird watching safari in the takes to prominent areas like arid acacia savannah, scrub and forest galleries which are majorly found along Uaso Nyiro River where a high concentration of birds are spotted. On a bird watching safari bird species such as African palm swift ,ashy cisticola, black-bellied sunbird, black-capped social weaver, brown-tailed rock chat, chestnut-headed sparrow lark, chestnut weaver, Donaldson-smith’s sparrow-weaver, Fischer’s starling, golden pipit, golden-breasted starling, greater kestrel, grey wren-warbler, hunter’s sunbird, lanner falcon, Mariqua sunbird, northern brownbul, palm-nut vulture, pink-breasted lark, pygmy batis, red-bellied parrot, red-necked falcon, red-winged lark, Reichenow’s seedeater, rosy-patched bush-shrike, secretary bird, singing bush lark, somali bee-eater, somali ostrich, spotted palm-thrush, von der Decken’s hornbill, vulturine guinea fowl, white-headed mouse bird, yellow-vented Eremomera and more are spotted in the park.
The best time to go for bird watching safari in Samburu park is during the period of November – April when migratory bird species are present in the park, though this activity can be done throughout the year.
Nature walks
Nature walks in Samburu national park takes you a walk in the park’s wilderness under the supervision of a professional guide, the walks usually leads you to river Uaso Nyiro which is always crowded by many bird species and animals.
Best time to visit Samburu national park
Visiting Samburu national park for a safari is possible throughout the year but the best safari experience is got during dry season, Samburu national park receives two periods of dry season that is June to October and December to March. This period is best for viewing the wildlife because
Getting to Samburu national park
Samburu park is situated in a remote area of Samburu county of Kenya which is a distance of 355 kilometers from Nairobi city, the park can be reached using both road and air transport means. By road it is a drive of about 6-7 hours to the park, using road transport meaning you have a minimum of 3 days on your safari in the park.
Using air, there is daily domestic flights which are offered to Samburu national park. These flights depart form Wilson airport situated 6 kilometers from Nairobi landing at Samburu airport, domestic chartered flights are offered by AirKenya and Safarilink.
Where to stay in Samburu national park
Accommodation is very important while on a safari anywhere in the world, while in Samburu national park for a safari accommodation is got from Samburu Serena Safari Lodge, Samburu Game Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Club, Elephant Watch Safari Camp, Sarova Shaba Safari Lodge, Ashnil Samburu Lodge, Samburu Simba Lodge, Sentrim Samburu Lodge, Joy’s Camp in Shaba National Reserve, Samburu Serena lodge, Saruni Samburu lodge, elephant bedroom camp, Sasaab lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge or Samburu Simba Lodge, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Elephant Watch Camp and many more.
