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The Lesser-Known Wildlife Reserve Where In-the-Know Travelers Are Going on Safari
08.01.2025 - 10:35 / matadornetwork.com
Samburu National Reserve, in the arid, northern parts of Kenya, isn’t anywhere near as well-known as the country’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. In fact, it’s among the least-visited of Kenya’s national reserves, parks, and conservancies. While it’s no secret that safari vacations are growing in popularity, it’s still free from the crowds of other parks — which may be why in-the-know travelers are setting their sites on the gorgeous 64-square-mile park. In 2020, the Maasai Mara saw 15 times the number of visitors of Samburu, and Nairobi National Park saw nearly 50 times as many visitors. Even Lake Nakuru National Park sees more visitors.
But it’s not just the crowd-free experience that makes Samburu special: it’s a group of animals literally called the “Samburu Special Five.” The five unique species are endemic to the region and are extremely rare to see almost anywhere else in Kenya. And when you do see them — which you likely will if you do more than one game drive — you’ll see them in a peaceful environment. Because it has fewer visitors, travelers get the chance to watch wildlife encounters with fewer vehicles crowding the scene.
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Fortunately, though the crowds are smaller, the lodging options are just as impressive as any other park in the country. I stayed in a suite at Soroi Larsens Camp, which included not just a gorgeous tented room with a private plunge pool, but also a lofted outdoor bed high above the reserve, allowing me to sleep under the stars while listening to the sounds of birds, elephants, and even roaring lions.
I did my Kenya trip with Alluring Africa, an established safari company that plans custom trips throughout Africa. While you certainly can visit Samburu, Larsens Camp, and other parts of Kenya without using a travel company, I appreciated the perks that came with traveling with a company, as well as having someone local to deal with transportation and smaller planning details).
If you’re thinking about planning a safari trip, you certainly don’t want to skip popular destinations like the Maasai Mara or Amboseli — but you will want to add a few extra days to see the landscapes and stunning wildlife within Samburu National Reserve.
A pair of unique reticulated giraffes in Samburu National Reserve, Kenya. Photo: Suzie Dundas
In Samburu, guides speak about the “Samburu Special Five:” five unique species that are primarily found in the arid northern regions of Kenya, including Samburu National Reserve. That makes it different from places like the more popular Maasai Mara, where the focus is typically on the traditional “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo). Samburu’s version of the big five are the Grevy’s zebra,
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