Travel information
Planning your trip to Samburu
Everything practical you need before you travel — from visas and vaccinations to packing and connectivity.
Visas and entry
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before departure and usually approved within three days. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond arrival with two blank pages.
Health
Yellow fever certificates are required if arriving from an endemic country. Malaria risk in Samburu is lower than on the coast but prophylaxis is generally recommended. Bring insect repellent, high-factor sunscreen and any personal medication — pharmacies are limited beyond Isiolo. Comprehensive travel insurance including emergency evacuation is essential; most camps are members of AMREF Flying Doctors.
Money
The Kenyan shilling is the local currency, with US dollars widely accepted at camps. Cards are accepted at lodges and at park gates, but carry some cash for tips, cultural visits and curios. Guide tipping guidance is roughly USD 10 to 20 per guest per day, plus a camp staff box.
Connectivity and power
Mobile coverage is patchy but present in much of the park; Safaricom has the best network. Most camps offer Wi-Fi in public areas, sometimes in rooms. Power is 240V with UK-style three-pin plugs, generally solar with inverters, so bring a power bank.
What to pack
- Neutral shades of khaki, olive and stone; avoid bright white and dark blue
- A fleece or jacket for dawn drives, plus a light scarf against dust
- Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and SPF50 sunscreen
- Binoculars, camera with a long lens and spare batteries
- Closed shoes for walking, sandals for camp
- Refillable water bottle — most camps filter and refill
Safety and etiquette
Camps in unfenced areas escort guests to their tents after dark; always follow that advice. Stay in your vehicle in the park except at designated points, keep noise down at sightings and never feed wildlife. Ask permission before photographing people, and buy beadwork directly from community groups where you can.
Responsible travel
Park fees and conservancy bed-night levies fund rangers, schools and clinics. Choose camps with genuine community partnerships, minimise single-use plastic and respect grazing agreements you may see in the conservancies — livestock and wildlife share this landscape.