AFRICA EXPLORED

The leading specialist for African safaris

KENYA

SAMBURU National Reserve

The plains of Samburu encompass three wonderful reserves - Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs. These reserves are some of the most colourful and dramatic game viewing areas of Kenya.

Samburu is on the southern edge of the hot arid lands of northern Kenya. It lies with the lands of the Samburu people. The reserve contains the whole range of East African wildlife, but includes animals not found in many other regions of Kenya . Gerenuk with its long neck spend much of it’s time standing on it’s hind legs reaching for leaves on the higher branches of the scrub bushes dotting the area. There are also grevy zebra, reticulated giraffe and beisa oryx to be found. The Ewaso Ngiro River flows along the southern boundary where it is wide and sluggish with large populations of crocodile and in the permanent pools are found pods of hippos. On the river bank grow giant acacias, fig trees and doum palms all of which provide shade and food for the wildlife which come down to the water including elephants coming down from the hills to bathe and drink.

The bird life is strikingly impressive and colourful, including golden palm weavers, red billed and yellow billed hornbills, the pygmy falcon and flocks of black capped social weavers, which nest in large "villages".

Kitich Camp

Kitich Camp lies in the southern part of the Mathews mountain range, a remote and rarely visited area of Kenya. The camp is nestled in a verdant grove of fig trees, indigenous flowering shrubs and prehistoric cycad palms on a bank of the seasonal Ngeng River surrounded by thickly wooded hillsides and craggy peaks. Kitich, meaning the place of happiness, is a lush oasis amid arid surroundings. Six twin spacious and luxurious tents, with large comfortable beds, en suite bathroom, with canvas shower, hot water available at any time of the day and evening. Real atmosphere of the early century safaris is provided by the hurricane lamps. Link to Kitich Camp web site.

Samburu Intrepids

Samburu Intrepids is situated on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in the arid heart of Samburu National Reserve, the 27 luxurious tents look out over riverbanks where herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra come daily to drink - together with the rarer 'northern species' of reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and long-necked gerenuk antelope. Each bedroom tent has large four-poster beds and classic safari furniture but modern en suite private facilities. Samburu Intrepids will show you this dramatic wilderness from a world of fascinating perspectives: early morning game drives, walking safaris with skilled Samburu guides, sedate camel rides, and raft trips when the river is high. Samburu Intrepids acclaimed Adventurers' Club offers a uniquely educational safari for children of all ages, under the expert guidance of Samburu guides. Link to Samburu Intrepids web site

Sarara Camp

Sarara Camp is actually in the Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust, an area of approximately 75,000 hectares, which lies folded around the southern corner of the fabled Mathews Mountain range of northern Kenya, home to the proud Samburu tribes people. The Trust was set up in 1995 specifically to promote wildlife conservation and to assist the local community to benefit from tourism, in return for protecting the wildlife species living on their land. Today, several thousand elephant are recorded as living and breeding peacefully in the southern Mathews range area, together with a variety of other wildlife species such as buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog, greater and lesser kudu, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, impala and dik dik.

The main lounge and dining area of Sarara Camp are on a wooden deck with commanding views of the Northern Frontier. Accommodation is in five double tents, each with flush-loos and open air showers. A natural rock swimming pool overlooks an animal waterhole frequently visited. In addition to the usual viewing of big game, the main focus of activities are: Escorted bush walks, fly camping safaris with camels along the wide sand ‘luggas', moonlit bush dinners beside natural animal watering points, and day trips to Samburu and Shaba game reserves. Link to Sarara Camp web site

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