What gets sold as “Samburu” is really three adjoining reserves arranged around one river. Samburu National Reserve sits north of the Ewaso Ng’iro, Buffalo Springs faces it from the south bank, and Shaba lies just to the east. The river is the whole story: in this semi-arid country, everything alive organises itself around it.
The map below shows all three boundaries, the river line between them, and the airstrips and roads that connect the cluster to the rest of Kenya.
Tap a shape for details. Colours: the three reserves, airstrips, brown lines are the main roads. Park boundaries: protected-area data © UNEP-WCMC WDPA and © OpenStreetMap contributors.
The Special Five
Samburu’s claim on a Kenya itinerary is a cast you will not see in the southern parks: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and beisa oryx, collectively the “Samburu Special Five”. They are dry-country specialists whose ranges barely overlap the Mara-Amboseli circuit, which is exactly why northern legs get added to trips that already have plenty of lions. The Special Five guide profiles each species.
One trip, three tickets
Each reserve charges its own entry, and a Samburu ticket does not cover Buffalo Springs even though only a bridge separates them. Most camps sit inside one reserve and drive mainly there. If you want to compare the three before choosing, the Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba comparison guide does exactly that.
Quick reference
| Reserve | Position | Size | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samburu | North of the river | 165 km² | Riverine forest, elephant, leopard |
| Buffalo Springs | South of the river | 131 km² | Springs, open plains |
| Shaba | East of the pair | 239 km² | Lava plains, fewer visitors |
Entry fees are indicative non-resident adult rates. KWS and county tariffs change; confirm current rates before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Samburu from Nairobi?
About 320 km north, a six to seven hour drive on the A2 through Nanyuki and Isiolo, or a roughly 90-minute flight from Wilson Airport.
What is the difference between Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba?
Three adjoining county reserves sharing the Ewaso Ng’iro river: Samburu north of it, Buffalo Springs south, Shaba east. Each has its own gate, fee and character.
What is the Samburu Special Five?
Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and beisa oryx, northern dry-country species rarely seen in Kenya’s southern parks.
When is the best time to visit Samburu?
The dry months, roughly June to October and December to March, when wildlife concentrates tightly along the river.
Related maps and guides
- Map of Kenya: the full safari geography guide
- Kenya national parks map
- Samburu reserve guide
- Northern Kenya safari guide
Have questions about this itinerary or destination? Get answers from a safari specialist before you commit.
Inquire More