After enjoying several safari experiences in Kenya, my partner and I wanted our next trip to take us somewhere that feels less familiar. We has spent sometimes around the Maasai Mara and Amboseli but this time we wanted to experience something related to landscapes with a completely different character. That is how we found ourselves heading toward Samburu with Ashnil Samburu Camp as our base.
This journey itself felt like part of the adventure. As we moved further into northern Kenya, the scenery gradually transformed. The lush landscapes were accustomed to gave away to dry, rugged terrain, rocky hills, scattered acaia trees and the beautiful Ewaso Nyiro River.
I remember looking out of the vehicle window and realizing that we were entering a very different side of Kenya. There was something raw and captivating about the landscape and both of us were excited to see what awaited us.
When we finally reached Ashnil Samburu Camp we immediately appreciated the setting. The camp sits along the Ewaso Nyiro River with the surrounding wilderness creating an atmosphere that felt wonderfully removed from the ordinary. For us it wasn’t going to be just another holiday hotel stay. We had come to experience Samburu and the camp quickly became part of the adventure.
Staying At The Right Wilderness
One of the things that we enjoyed about Ashnil Samburu was the opportunity to stay in a tented accommodation while still having the comfort we wanted. Our ten was a welcoming place after spending hours exploring the reserve. There was something special about knowing that we were sleeping so close to the wilderness. At night the sounds around us reminded us that we weren’t in an ordinary city hotel.
Instead of spending all our free time indoors, my partner and I enjoyed sitting outside and appreciating the surroundings. We could hear birds calling from the tree, feel the warm northern Kenya air and watch the landscape changed as the day progressed. Our mornings were particularly beautiful. We would wake up early, prepare for the day’s adventure and take a few quiet moments to enjoy the atmosphere before heading out. The peaceful moments together became an unexpected highlight of our stay.
Samburu Introduced Us to Wildlife We Had Never Seen Before
The real excitement began whenever we headed out for a game drive. We had already seen lions, giraffes, elephants and buffalo on previous safaris, but Samburu introduced us to animals and landscapes that felt completely new. The real excitement began each time we headed for a game drive.
One of the biggest highlights of our stay was searching for the famous Samburu Special Five. We were particularly excited to spot the reticulated giraffe, whose striking pattern looked completely different from the giraffes we’d seen elsewhere in Kenya. W also kept our eyes open for the Grevy’s zebras, gerenuk, Besia oryx and Somali ostrich. Each sighting felt like a small achievement especially because we know these species are strongly associated wiht the northern Kenya ecosystem.
The gerenuk was probably the animal that fascinated us most. Watching one stand upright on its hind legs to reach leaves high in the bushes was something neither of us had witnessed before. Of course there were plenty of other incredible wildlife moments as well. Elephants moved through the landscape , lions rested in shaded areas and crocodiles could be seen near the river.
A Surprisingly Romantic Time Besides Ewaso Nyiro
The Ewaso Nyiro River gave the camp a special atmosphere and we enjoyed spending time simply watching the landscape around it. There was something peaceful about sitting together and listening to the sound of the nature while the river continued flowing nearby.
One afternoon, instead of immediately returning to our tent after our activities, my partner and I found ourselves lingering around the camp and enjoying the scenery. We talked about animals we’d seen that day compared our favorite moments and laughed about some of the funny things that had happened during our game drives. Those conversations may seem simple but they were exactly what made the trip special for us.
We Left Samburu Feeling Like We Had Discovered Another Kenya
As our time at Ashnil Samburu Camp came to an end we both agreed that this had been one of the most distinctive safari experiences we had shared. The landscape was different, the wildlife was fascinating and the entire atmosphere felt more adventurous than some of the destinations we had visited prior.
For couples seeking to have a romantic safari in Samburu, I believe Ashnil Samburu Camp offers an excellent opportunity to experience northern Kenya while enjoying a comfortable base surrounded by nature.
What I will remember most wasn’t just a particular game drive. It’s combination of everything the long drives through the rugged Samburu landscape, the excitement of searching for the Special Five, the sight of elephants near the river and the quiet evenings my partner and I spent talking about our day. We arrived expecting to experience something different and Samburu delivered exactly that.
