Game drives in Samburu National Reserve
GAME DRIVES IN SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Game drives in Samburu National Reserve : Game driving is the key activity done in the Samburu National Reserve. This has made the reserve the best tourist choice for game viewing, the game drives are done in the open short savannah grasslands of the reserve. The game drives are done following the tracks in the reserve, no off tracking is allowed at the reserve, the tracks lead to the best wildlife siting areas like the water catchment areas where the animals collect to quench their thirst. Game drives in Samburu National Reserve are done through the open grass in search for the wildlife in their natural habitats, here you can enjoy great eye view of wonderful animals in the reserve, some of these animals that you will likely to encounter during your game drives includes the special five or the rare species in the reserve like the Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Oryx and the reserve has the three big cats like the lion, cheetah and African leopard there are also other animals like the elephant, cape buffalo and hippopotamus, the reserve also has other mammals like the olive baboon, warthogs, Grant’s gazelle, Kirk’s dik-dik, impala , waterbuck and among others, these animals can be found in the reserve and they are much rewarding and excellent when done by the experienced driver guide.
A safari game drive is an adventure excursion by vehicle into a wildlife area such as a National Reserve of Samburu, with the purpose of exploring the reserve and seeing a variety of wild animals in their natural habitats, game drives are timed for animals are most active which is early mornings and late afternoons. The safari game drive in Kenya takes last 2 to 3 hours per drive in the morning and afternoon hours, with the morning timings usually scheduled from 6:30 am to 11:30 am and the afternoon timings being 4:00pm to 6:45pm,though travellers may sometimes pot for a full day game drive generally which starts from 10am to 4pm,in which case the excursion will include a packed picnic lunch to be had inside main Samburu reserve at a designated picnic sot, during lunch hours that’s time from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.Game drives are timed for when animals are most active which is the mornings and late afternoons.
Morning Game Drive.
These are the most popular and dream game drives in any African national reserve or park, this is simply because the nature is more vibrant and active during the morning hours. The early birds wake up to catch its first warm, while the grazers want to get the grass when they are still having dew, the nocturnal animals will be on their way back to their hiding places, while the big cats are busy to start the day with a hunt or prey. The morning game drives are the most rewarding game drives in Samburu National reserve, all the big game are easily seen when the sun is low or sun just rises, the fresh cold breath of the morning as other animals come out to get vitamin C through the sun bathing, this game drive is done from 6:30am to 11:30 am
Afternoon/evening game drives.
This is more specific for the missed seen animals in the morning game drives, at this time we just come to complete the game drives of the day, also various animals can be seen attacking the prey when the prey is resting. Many call it luck but with our experienced drive guides they know the key places where to see the animals from the Samburu National Reserve, the advantage of the afternoon or evening game drives is that you can see various of the animals coming out of their hide from 5pm when the sun has gone low. This game drive is done from 4:00pm to 6:45pm.
To achieve your African wildlife, dream safari one has to do a lot of activities at the reserve, and one of the key activity that is to be done is the game drives and it’s the best way to explore the best of the Samburu National Reserve. The game drives in Samburu National reserve are done using the vehicles so the vehicles that are used during the game driving in Samburu National Reserve are the Four Wheel Drive Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps or non 4×4 Tour Vans also known as the Minibuses, certain tour vans also come with 4WD. Both these vehicle types have game viewing roofs and are safari customized, however if you fly into Samburu and book game drives with the lodge or camp, then you may find some of these camps offer game drives in ‘open’ sided 4×4 safari jeeps, these open side vehicles are not suitable for highway travel hence are restricted to ferrying tourists only in the reserve.
Game Drive fee of Samburu National Reserve.
In Samburu National Reserve, regarding to the cost of game driving in the reserve, the prices start from USD 75 per person per game drive and in case you wish to have an exclusive vehicle hire from the camp for the full day drive the cost will be USD 300 to USD 550 per vehicle depending on the camp.
Essentials used during game drives in Samburu National Reserve.
A game drive is the highlight of any African safari vacation, in Samburu National Reserve you will need to see the magnificent local wildlife that may include all the special five of the reserve, the big cats and other mammals in the reserve, but in this you should properly prepare for your Kenya safari and the most recommended or essentials are 7 items to come with during your game drive that includes the camera equipment, Binoculars, safari-ready clothing, Sun protectors (sun screen, sunhat and the sun glasses),Walking shoes or the Hiking boots, Insect repellent, Small medical kit.
A safari game drive in Samburu National Reserve is an intended as an opportunity for visitors to forget their problems and outside world, to enjoy nature by spotting the various wildlife of animals and birds, become rejuvenated and recharged, thus the proper planning and preparation will make your African safari a journey to cherish.
