Meet the Samburu Special Five
Silas Odembo·Updated 2026-08-14·1 min readSamburu National Reserve, in Kenya's arid north, is home to five species rarely seen on a classic Mara-and-Amboseli circuit.
The Special Five
Gerenuk — the long-necked 'giraffe gazelle' that browses standing on its hind legs
Grevy's zebra — larger and more finely striped than the common zebra
Reticulated giraffe — sharply defined, geometric coat patterning
Somali ostrich — distinctive blue-grey legs and neck
Beisa oryx — striking black facial markings and long, straight horns
Add two nights in Samburu to any northern Kenya circuit and you'll come home with a genuinely different species list.
Silas Odembo, Senior Safari Guide
Julius has guided Great Migration safaris across the Mara and Serengeti for over a decade and trains our newer guiding teams.
Plan a trip with Silas →Plan Around the Season
Ready to Plan Your Safari?
Tell us your travel window and priorities — we’ll route your itinerary to the wildlife event that matters most to you.
Keep Reading
