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Samburu

Rusty plains and palm trees set apart this National Park in the Northern Frontier. Location of the famous raising of “Elsa,” the lioness depicted in the movie Born Free, this lush expanse is the rooting spot of the three main feline species of lion, cheetah and leopard. Hundreds of species of birds, zebras, elephants, and giraffes also live in Samburu. The area’s lava plain is bisected by the Uaso Nyiro River, and this geographic diversity gives way to all sorts of interesting ecosystems, which include woodlands, grasslands and hills. This arid expanse of brushlands and scrublands also play host to ostriches, eagles and weaverbirds. Drawn by the promise of water, elephants, zebras and giraffes walk along the lush riverbanks. Visitors are also likely to see crocodiles, which always make for an interesting spectacle.

Across the river, you may see the Samburu people bringing their camels and livestock to water. Nature walks and visits to nearby tribes also delight Samburu visitors. The Samburu people are closely related to the tribes of the Masai Mara. Pastoral and nomadic, they are easily spotted in their tribal red dress, beads and plaited hair, and they feed on the milk (and sometimes blood) of their cattle.