Samburu National Reserve
La Réserve Nationale de Samburu
In a semi-desert area, the Ewaso Ngiro River, lined with lush vegetation, forms a haven of freshness very popular with animals: the Samburu Game Reserve. It is not uncommon to meet a herd of elephants bathing in the river or to observe the rare reticulated giraffes. Grevy's zebra, with its fine striated dress and large ears, lives more easily in the plains in the company of the black beisa oryx, the giraffe antelope and the blue-legged Somali ostrich.
Wild and beautiful spaces. The wildlife is remarkable, the lodges superb. The landscapes, the fauna, the flora change radically from those of the highlands. We find the trail and wide open savannah and desert, arid and rough, contrasting with the rest of the country, mountainous. This is the country of pastors Samburus, cousins of the Masai. The reserves are famous for their unusual wildlife including some rare species that are seen only in this region, such as Grevy's zebra, antelope-giraffe, cross-linked giraffe.
Advice:
- The ranches of the Laikipia plateau provide visitors with upscale accommodation amidst vast expanses of wildlife. The site also allows for a more intimate experience than most national parks because the vehicles do not jostle.
Going to Kenya is to travel 8 million years back, at a time when nature was sovereign and where the great upheavals of humanity were operating.
Undisputed master of photo safaris, Kenya is a country offering at every moment a testimony of our origins. The key to all of this is the Rift Valley, a large natural fault that crosses the country and shapes the landscape little by little. First, a string of large lakes on which the largest population of birds on the continent is concentrated; then comes the savannah concealed in the bottom of the fault and sheltering a multitude of wild animals and game. Whether it is tall grass dried by the sun's rays, acacia trees, palm doums or baobabs, the wonder is there. It is against the backdrop of the old volcanic mountains, Mount Kenya, 5,199 meters high, is proud to compete with his big brother Tanzanian. Finally arrive kilometers of white sand bordering the Indian Ocean, In this great diversity live together more than 40 ethnic groups with ancestral traditions of origin often Bantu. It is certain, Africa is there.
When to go?
Equatorial, the climate is however subject to important general variations. Kenya enjoys a sunny climate most of the year. The rainy season is in April and May where heavy short-term rainfall may surprise.
Thus, the best time to visit Kenya is summer, from June to September, during which you will enjoy the dry season and reasonable temperatures.
Formalities
French nationals must hold a visa ("tourism" or "business" depending on the purpose of the visit) to enter Kenya. The passport must have a validity of at least six months on the date of entry into the territory.
Since September 1st 2015, an electronic visa, issued online and within one week, should be obtained from the site https://account.ecitizen.go.ke/visitor-registrationprior to arrival in Kenya.
Health
Antimalarial treatment and yellow fever vaccination is recommended (contact your doctor)
Currency
The national currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES).
International credit cards can be used in major cities and tourist areas (hotels, lodges, reserves, etc.). It is advisable to bring cash (US dollars or euros). Travel checks are to be avoided. There are ATMs (Visa, Eurocard, Mastercard) in Nairobi and Mombasa. For foreign exchange transactions, attention should be paid to the proposed rate. US dollars are better accepted than euros.
Attention: Old dollars aren’t accepted: in general, those dating from before 2006, although sometimes those after 2000 or 2003 are accepted - all depends on the interlocutor.