Wildlife of Samburu National Park

The Samburu Special Five

Samburu's signature species are collectively known as the Special Five. All are adapted to arid conditions and all are difficult or impossible to see in southern Kenya.

• Grevy's zebra — endangered, with fewer than 3,000 remaining worldwide. Larger than the plains zebra, with fine stripes and a white belly.
• Reticulated giraffe — the most striking of the giraffes, with geometric chestnut patches divided by cream lines.
• Beisa oryx — a grey and black antelope with long straight horns, able to tolerate high body temperatures to conserve water.
• Somali ostrich — the male has blue-grey legs and neck rather than the pink of the common ostrich.
• Gerenuk — a long-necked antelope that browses standing upright on its hind legs, unmistakable and photogenic.

Elephants

Samburu holds one of the most closely studied elephant populations on earth. Save the Elephants has monitored families here since 1997, and guides can often name individual matriarchs. Herds gather on the riverbed in the late afternoon, crossing and digging for water — a highlight of any stay.

Big cats

Lion prides work the riverine corridor and the open plains near Koitogor. Leopard are unusually visible here, hunting in the doum palms and resting on rocky outcrops, and Samburu is regarded as one of Kenya's most reliable leopard destinations. Cheetah favour the more open eastern grasslands and are seen regularly, if less often than lion.

Other mammals

• Nile crocodile and hippo in the deeper river pools
• Striped hyena, spotted hyena, caracal, serval and honey badger
• Kirk's dik-dik, impala, waterbuck, warthog and Grant's gazelle
• Olive baboon and vervet monkey along the river
• Occasional African wild dog, usually moving through from the conservancies

Where and when to look

Head for the river at first light and again from 4pm, when animals come down to drink. The plains towards Koitogor are best for oryx, ostrich and cheetah, while gerenuk favour thicker acacia scrub. Ask your guide about recent leopard activity — territories are small and sightings are often repeatable across several days.

For birds, see our Samburu birdlife guide, and for the best months, read when to visit.