Samburu National Reserve

9 Under-the-radar Safari Experiences Travel Experts Recommend for the Trip of a Lifetime

"I recommend spending a day in the Samburu National Reserve with the conservationists who work with Save the Elephants or the Ewaso Lions Conservation Project to gain hands-on insight into local wildlife protection efforts." - Samantha Falewée Samantha Falewée Samantha Falewée is an associate editor for Travel + Leisure, interested in adventure and culinary travel, Indigenous culture, and wildlife conservation. A France-U.S. citizen, she speaks French and is a certified wine nerd by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (Level II). Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

"Situated in northern Kenya on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river, Samburu National Reserve is a beautiful and arid ecosystem that’s lesser visited than its cousins in the south of the country due to its more remote location. The big draws in Samburu are the different types of wildlife on offer in comparison to other parks. The Grevy’s zebra, for instance, is an elegant creature not found in the south – its stripes are thinner than that of the common zebra, and its frame more tall and horse-like. Samburu is a popular option for those looking to escape the large crowds drawn to famous parks like the Masai Mara."

Miss Traveling? You Can Still See the World

"Walk with the more than 1,400 elephants of Samburu National Reserve (a great place to go on safari), who’ve been GPS-tracked by Save The Elephants for a whopping 845,000 hours. Among the elephant families you can meet are the Swahili Ladies and the Clouds, pictured with several cute, tiny babies." - Sophie Friedman

Miss Traveling? You Can Still See the World

"Walk with the more than 1,400 elephants of Samburu National Reserve (a great place to go on safari), who’ve been GPS-tracked by Save The Elephants for a whopping 845,000 hours. Among the elephant families you can meet are the Swahili Ladies and the Clouds, pictured with several cute, tiny babies." - Sophie Friedman