Samburu National Game Reserve, 150 mi/240 km northeast of Nairobi, is rich in species not seen in southern Kenya's more famous parks—Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu and gerenuk (an unusual antelope that spends much of its time on its hind legs reaching up to trees). You'll also have a good chance at spotting lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. The semiarid landscape is dramatic, with the rugged outcrop known as Mount Ololokwe a prominent feature. The Ewaso Ng'iro River, which forms the southern boundary of the reserve, attracts many birds and is a popular watering hole for elephants.
There are some fine lodges in the park, and this is also a good region to go on a camping safari, as most campsites are alongside the river and provide perfect game-viewing vantage points. Nearby Shaba and Buffalo Springs national reserves can also be seen on the same trip. Shaba played host to the U.S. hit TV show Survivor in 2002.
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