Since I started doing wildlife safaris, visiting Kenya, particularly Masai Mara and Amboseli National Parks, has been my dream. So when my cousin asked me for a 15-day trip to Kenya. I just said yes instantly.
While preparing our itinerary, we were confused about whether to include Serengeti in the plan, as our trip was for 15 days. But since we were travelling with our families and two small kids (One two years old and another six years old), including Serengeti, our travel Kms would have increased. We were already under pressure from our wives for creating such a long and exhaustive trip to Kenya. Additionally, this also increased our costs. So we decided to stay in Kenya.
In our itinerary, our agent suggested Samburu National Parka, which was our first destination in Kenya. I had never heard of this park and was sceptical about how it would be. Upon reaching there, all my doubts were removed.
Samburu National Park is located on the Northern side of Kenya. It's around 400 km from Nairobi, so it isn't usually featured on the popular safari route in Kenya. I will first give a brief description.
Location- 350 Km from Nairobi in the Northern part of Kenya. It will take around seven hours by road, and the condition of the road near the park is not that good.
Climate It is dry, and the Ewaso Ng'iro River is the lifeline of the park
Wildlife- The park has abundant wildlife (Lions, zebras, including the rare Grevy's zebra, Roth child Giraffes, and African Bush elephants. Cheetahs, hippos, etc. Over 350 species of birds. And the river has a lot of crocodiles.
Why visit- It is a picturesque, unique park with its old mountains and dry landscape, giving a feeling that you are on some other planet. Also, unlike Mara and Amboseli, it's not that crowded.
Things to consider: this park had some security issues a few years ago. The lodges are not fenced.
Recommended stay- Sopa Lodge (that's where we stayed, and our experience was good). You club this park with Ol Pajeta Conservancy.
Well, it was a sunny day on December 23, my son Mantra was tired after a long 7 hours journey, but it was through some very picturise locations in Kenya; just before the park, the road sucked; after getting some African Massage, we entered the park, and a Grevy's Zebra greeted us, apparently its a rare species. My son climbed the top of the safari vehicle as he saw a group of African bush Elephants in the background. You can see small mountains known as Inselberg. The driver and our guide got angry, so we brought him down.
And then, on his radio, another driver said that he saw a group of Cheetahs, and he rushed his vehicle through a beautiful park. The park was green when we visited but is usually dry, and then we saw three Cheetahs having an impala. A jackal was in the vicinity, trying to steal something. We rushed through the dry roads with starry skies and a few giraffes standing when the sun went down. Then, I saw some bat-eared foxes running in front of our car. In our Lodge, we were escorted by an armed guard to our rooms as the resort wasn’t fenced. Such was our first day at the park.
Our next day was even more eventful, with a Kory bustard welcome. Then a savo cat hunted some vulturine. A leopard was sitting with his kill in the bushes. And a huge group of elephants. Our driver said that twin elephants were recently born in this park. Was it the same group or not? I don’t know, but seeing elephants in their full glory is always incredible.
In three days, I filled 128 GB. I still don’t know what to do with those photos, but they are some of the most beautiful photographs I have taken.
As we left the park, we again saw three Cheetahs playing on a small rocky mountain. It was a sight to behold.
There was something magical about that rustic park, which offered an authentic African safari experience. It featured stunning mountains, a beautiful river, and an abundance of wildlife. My wife complained that I wasn't caring for our son and was more concerned about my camera.
However, the park's beauty was so enchanting—with its dry landscapes, bushes, and birds of every colour—that I couldn't help but feel captivated. This park was raw, representing Africa in its true beauty. As a photographer, it will give you ample frames and, as a wildlife enthusiast, countless species to see. Even if you are going on a safari experience the first time, you will enjoy the park; it's less crowded than Mara or Amboseli. The Landscape is still in front of my eyes, and these photographs cannot justify its beauty. I don't know if I will get a chance to revisit it; maybe, one day, I will visit again. I will visit again.
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