Entry Gates to Samburu National Reserve
Entry Gates to Samburu National Reserve : Samburu national reserve is a safari gem located in the Samburu County on the northern banks of Ewaso Nyiro River and about 350 kilometers from Nairobi the capital of Kenya. Samburu national reserve borders Shaba Game Reserve and Buffalo Springs National Reserve and they are both separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Samburu national reserve is a unique natural jewel spanning over 165 square kilometers and sits on the altitude range of 800 to 1230 meters above the sea level. In the middle of the reserve, there is the Ewaso Ng’iro river that flows through doum palm groves and thick riverine forests, this river is a permanent water source in the area and it attracts a lot of animals most especially in the dry season as they congregate to drink water and the pastures around it.
The reserve is famously known for being one of the two areas in which conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness made famous in the best-selling book and award-winning movie “Born Free”, Samburu is also known for being a home of Kamunyak , a lioness that adapted oryx calves.
Samburu national reserve is one of the fascinating and rewarding Kenya wildlife destinations to visit while on a Kenya safari, to access this semi- arid wonderland several entry gates are used.
Note: Using the correct gate to access the reserve during your safari to Samburu can you hours of additional driving.
Samburu national reserve is accessed by a list of main gates, this article lists these main gates together on which safari lodges and camps are situated closest to these various access points. In Samburu, entry and exit timings are 06:00 am (entry time) and 06:00 pm (exit timing. For travelers who wish to stay in the reserve beyond the designated timings, it is possible in exceptional cases with the permission of the reserve warden such as case of a vehicle breakdown or adverse weather leading to road closures.
Entry and exit gates of Samburu national reserve are well distributed at most of the convenient and popular places leading the reserve, one using road transport can access the reserve from its 4 gates which are well distributed in favor of all guests entering the reserve at any point. For travelers using air transport to get to the reserve, you will find gate services at the central airstrip. The airstrip is served by daily flights to and from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, these flights are offered Safarilink and AirKenya.
Entry Gates to Samburu national reserve are Archer’s Gate, West Gate, Kalama Gate, Uaso Bridge Gate and Central Airstrip Gate.
Archer’s Gate
Archer’s Gate is one of the most developed gates used to access Samburu national reserve, this gate is located near Archer’s Post just a few kilometers off the Marsabit highway. Archer’s gate is the main gate of Samburu national reserve and the most preferred by tourists because of its strategic location along the main road from Nairobi as well as from Isiolo Town.
Around the gate there are the best lodging options in Samburu national reserve including Samburu Intrepids Luxury Tented Camp, Elephant Watch Camp, Samburu Riverside Tented Camp, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Sentrim Lodge and Lion King Safari Bush Camp.
West Gate
West Gate is located on the western border of Samburu national Reserve together with West Gate Community Conservancy, this conservancy is dominated by thorny acacia scrub and is a home to several thousand Samburu people and a fast growing population of large animals including over 500 Grevy’s zebras.
The West Gate Community Conservancy is accessed only if you are staying at Sasaab Lodge and the conservancy fees are included in the rate you pay during your stay per night.
Kalama Gate (Kalama Conservancy)
Kalama Gate is located in Kalama Conservancy which is situated about 7 kilometers from the Northern border of Samburu national reserve, the only accommodation option around this gate is the Saruni Samburu Lodge which is the only accommodation in the Kalama conservancy.
Uaso Bridge Gate
Uaso Bridge Gate lies opposite Samburu national reserve on the Southern banks of Ewaso Nyiro River in Isiolo County and is mainly used when crossing the Ewaso Nyiro Bridge coming from the Buffalo Springs National Reserve.
The best accommodation options near Uaso Bridge gate include Ashnil Samburu Lodge and Samburu Simba Lodge.
Central Airstrip Gate
The Central Airstrip gate is only accessible to visitors arriving to Samburu national reserve using air means, the airstrip is served by Air Kenya and Safari Link with daily scheduled flights to and from Samburu.
If you are planning a Kenya safari to Samburu national reserve, contact us and we will organize for you the best and memorable Samburu safari.
