Samburu National Reserve is one of the 56 protected areas in Kenya. It is famous North of the equator because of the richness of flora and fauna; it can be reached through Nairobi-Isiolo-Marsabit road and Maralal-Wamba-Isolo road. Lying on the flood plains and bottom land of Waso Nyiro drainage system in the Great Rift Valley. It rises to an altitude of 2785 ft above sea level and covers an area of 390 km2.
Vegetation
Botanist have identified more than 2 dozen plants communities, but thorny scrubs cover much of the reserve and the most common are Acacia elator, Acacia tortolise, Salvadora pesica and the Down palms.
Animals
There are over 50 species of wild animals in the reserve including unique species of Gravy Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Besia Oryx, Grater and Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk, Somali ostrich, pancake tortoise and others.
There are over 450 species of birds identified and aquatic species in the Waso Nyiro River.
Communities
The neighbouring communities to the reserve are the Samburu tribe a clan of the Maasai. They play a major role as part of tourist attraction in the area due to their unique cultural experiences by tourist through traditional ceremonies, food, dances and sale of traditional crafts.
Major attractions
Its home to the big five
Elephant,Lion,Rhino,Leopard,Buffalo
Other animals of interest are:Gerenuk,Reticulated Giraffe,Somali Ostrich,Gravy Zebra,Besia Oryx,Wild Dog- Endangered,Pun cake Tortoise - Endangered
It contains over 450 species of indigenous bird
There are variety of reptiles and aquatic species in the Waso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve
Plants – botanist have identified 2 dozens of plants species
The dominant ones are:acacia elator,salva dora pesica,Down palms.
In the 1960s and 1970s more than 160 fossil remains of early man including Homo Habilis and Homo Erectus were discovered, putting man's origins back three million years. More than 4,000 fossil specimens of mammal and stone age artefacts have been discovered here.
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The spectacular great Rift valley
Lake lokipi hot spring the breeding site of flamingo and home to various reptiles.
Lake Turkana (known as the Jade sea)
Largest indigenous forest in Kenya is located here
The amazing escarpments - Lolokwe, Ndoto, Nyiro (Mathew ranges)
Waso Ngiro River meanders through the rugged landscape and provides the only source of water in Samburu National Reserve
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