Rift Valley · County · Kenya
Samburu
Rugged northern county built around Samburu National Reserve on the Ewaso Nyiro River, home to the "Samburu Special Five" (Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and beisa oryx), rich Samburu culture and the Maralal Camel Derby.
Know this county · verified 2026-09-16
Dry seasons January to March and July to October are best for game drives; nights at altitude in Maralal are cold.
2 to 4 days
Samburu Reserve is about 325 km / 6 hours by road from Nairobi via Nanyuki and Archer's Post, or short flights to Samburu airstrips; Maralal is reached via Rumuruti/Nyahururu.
Fly-in plus lodge transfers for the reserve; a 4x4 is essential off the main roads; matatus and boda-bodas in the towns.
Take extra care: parts of the wider north can see banditry and inter-community tension. Travel to the reserve on main routes and check official advisories and local guidance first.
Police, ambulance and fire: 999 or 112 (also 911).
Maralal County Referral Hospital (Maralal town).
4G and M-Pesa in Maralal and Archer's Post and at lodges; little to no coverage in the bush.
safari travellers seeking quieter reserves; culture and photography lovers; adventurous overlanders
Samburu travel questions
Sourced answers to what visitors ask about Samburu.
How do I get around Samburu?
Fly-in plus lodge transfers for the reserve; a 4x4 is essential off the main roads; matatus and boda-bodas in the towns.
Full answer and sources →How do I get to Samburu?
Samburu Reserve is about 325 km / 6 hours by road from Nairobi via Nanyuki and Archer's Post, or short flights to Samburu airstrips; Maralal is reached via Rumuruti/Nyahururu.
Full answer and sources →How many days should I spend in Samburu?
2 to 4 days
Full answer and sources →Is Samburu safe for visitors?
Take extra care: parts of the wider north can see banditry and inter-community tension. Travel to the reserve on main routes and check official advisories and local guidance first.
Full answer and sources →What is Samburu known for?
Rugged northern county built around Samburu National Reserve on the Ewaso Nyiro River, home to the "Samburu Special Five" (Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and beisa oryx), rich Samburu culture and the Maralal Camel Derby.
Full answer and sources →When is the best time to visit Samburu?
Dry seasons January to March and July to October are best for game drives; nights at altitude in Maralal are cold.
Full answer and sources →Where is the nearest hospital in Samburu?
Maralal County Referral Hospital (Maralal town).
Full answer and sources →Who is Samburu best suited for?
safari travellers seeking quieter reserves; culture and photography lovers; adventurous overlanders
Full answer and sources →