An intimate safari in Kenya's Samburu reserve

In the Samburu region of northern Kenya, from which the reserve takes its name, a host of animals flourish in a lush natural setting that is the stuff of safari dreams. Bordering the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro, a river that rises in the Aberdares massif, winds its way through areas of the Kenyan Okavango, eventually drowning in an ocean of drought, never reaching the sea.

Nonetheless, the river offers fine green banks, welcoming elephants hungry for fruit growing on the doum palms and eager for a refreshing bath. As for the crocodiles, they take advantage of the opportunity to bask in the sun. The Ewaso Ng'iro forms the boundary between Samburu in the north and the Buffalo Springs Reserve in the south.

Situated 350 kilometres from Nairobi, you will still need 6 hours of roads and tracks to reach the park. The climate is semi-arid, with sparse scrub and magnificent acacia trees dominating the landscape.

The emblematic tree of safaris, and a favourite meal of the majestic giraffes, they are a must in the heart of Samburu. The dust flies and the heat is intense, the terrain is obviously dry and undulating, creating a magnificent and unique backdrop to a safari alone in the world. Out there lies a land dotted with pebbles, scrub and dominated by Mount Koitogor and Mount Ololokwe, which loom large in the background. This is where you'll find the reserve's most emblematic animals.

There are many animals in the reserve, and some are particularly rare. If you're a safari enthusiast, you'll be familiar with every traveller's favourite sighting: the famous big five. Lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard are the five most sought-after animals on an African safari.

They are the five most difficult and fearsome animals to hunt. However, northern Kenya, which includes the Samburu reserve, offers the chance to discover a slightly different big five, but one that is just as exceptional, if not more so! The park is home to some rare and fascinating species.

The reticulated giraffe, for example, lives a quiet life in the heart of the Samburu reserve. Also known as the Somali giraffe, it has a perfectly geometric coat that makes it more identifiable than the others. The species is under threat, however, with a world population of no more than 5,000, despite having once occupied most of Africa. Today, it is found only on the plains of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Waller's gazelle is also known as the giraffe antelope. It adapts wonderfully to the park's arid habitat. To feed, it stands up on its hind legs and stretches out its tongue to catch leaves, hence its resemblance to the giraffe. One of its particularities is that it can live without water, absorbing only the moisture from the plants it ingests. At the heart of the park, you'll also find Somali ostriches, which can be distinguished from the others by the white plumage on their tails. The Beïsa Oryx, a majestic ungulate close to the antelope, stands out in the heart of the park with its long, straight and perfectly parallel horns. And finally, the Grevy's zebra is an extremely rare and deeply endangered species, with only 2,000 individuals left in the wild. In just thirty years, more than ten thousand specimens have disappeared. They are now found only in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. It's a great opportunity to see them.

The park is a veritable lost paradise for animals, especially elephants, who live here in huge numbers, forming multiple herds. You'll often find them near the river, drinking. Of course, you'll also see buffalo and impala. But also large predators such as Ions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and even wild dogs. Unfortunately, rhinos are no longer part of the landscape, having fallen victim to poaching in the region.

The reserve is also known for having played host to the extraordinary story of a lioness. In the early 2000s, one of the park's lionesses decided to live on her own, breaking away from the herd to.... Adopt a little oryx! She was christened Kamunyak, "the blessed one", and went on to adopt 5 oryx, bringing them up as cubs before leaving them. She was last seen in 2004.

Finally, meet the Samburu people, closely related to the Masai. They share the same lifestyle and dress codes. After a safari in the reserve, it's a great opportunity to meet them and take part in their daily activities, learning more about their customs and way of life.