Destinations, Experiences & East Africa TravelSamburu County has four community conservancies worth knowing before you plan a northern Kenya safari: Kalama and Westgate, which sit beside Samburu National Reserve, and the much larger Sera and Namunyak further north. All four are community-owned land managed with the Northern Rangelands Trust, and each offers something the reserve does not, from walking with black rhino at Sera to the forested Mathews Range at Namunyak. They also form part of the wider network we explain in our guide to Kenya’s wildlife conservancies.
The short version: stay in Kalama or Westgate if you want the Samburu reserve’s famous dry-country animals with fewer vehicles, choose Sera if you want to track rhino on foot, and choose Namunyak for mountains, forest and remote camps. Most travellers combine the reserve with one conservancy rather than choosing only one.
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At a glance
| Conservancy | Size | Best known for | Camps we found named |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalama | 385 km² | Borders Samburu National Reserve; elephants, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, lions; a beadwork project run by local Samburu people | Saruni Samburu Lodge |
| Westgate | 367 km² | Grevy’s zebra (more than 500 reported), River Ewaso Nyiro frontage | Saasab Tented Camp (18 beds) |
| Sera | 3,450 km² | Black rhino reintroduced in 2015; the only place in Eastern Africa where visitors can track black rhino on foot, according to the Abiri Kenya conservancy guide | Not confirmed; ask us |
| Namunyak | 3,440 km² | Mathews Range, Kitich Forest, Mount Ololokwe; the Reteti elephant sanctuary lies within it | Sarara Camp, Kitich Camp |
Sizes and details come from the Abiri Kenya conservancy pages. Other sources give different areas for the larger conservancies, so treat the figures as approximate.
What community conservancies are, and the Northern Rangelands Trust
A community conservancy is land that local families own together, set aside for wildlife and grazing, and run for the benefit of the people who live there. In Samburu County the land belongs to Samburu communities, many of them former group ranches. The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) supports these conservancies with rangers, planning and tourism development. The Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association lists NRT’s member conservancies as covering roughly 4.9 million hectares across northern Kenya and the coast.
For a visitor the practical meaning is simple. Your camp fees and conservancy fees go to the landowners and to community-run ranger teams, and the land is managed so livestock and wildlife can use it at different times. That is why you may meet Samburu herders and their cattle, goats or camels on the road near some conservancies.
How the conservancies fit around Samburu National Reserve
The reserve is the draw, with its Ewaso Nyiro River and the northern species known as the Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx and gerenuk. Our guide to the Samburu Special Five explains how to find each.
Kalama is contiguous with the reserve in the south, and it forms part of a wildlife corridor that links Sera and Nakuprat-Gotu conservancies with the reserve. Animals do not stop at the boundary, which is why a conservancy stay can feel like a quieter version of the reserve. Sera borders Shaba National Reserve to its south. Westgate and Namunyak are separated by the C79 Archer’s Post to Baragoi road, which forms Westgate’s northern boundary with Namunyak.
Kalama Conservancy
Kalama covers 385 km² on what was once Gir-Gir Group Ranch. Reported wildlife includes elephant, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, lion, Grevy’s zebra, African wild dog, gerenuk, lesser and greater kudu, leopard and cheetah. A community beadwork project lets visitors meet Samburu women and buy directly from them.
Saruni Samburu Lodge is the property we found named here, with views over the Mathews Range. Access is by road on the A2, about 22 km north of Archer’s Post, or by air to nearby airstrips. The conservancy suits first-time visitors who want good game viewing and a more private feel than the reserve gate allows.
Westgate Conservancy
Westgate covers 367 km² of rangeland on the former Ngutuk-Ongiron Group Ranch, with a small core conservation area and a buffer zone that the community manages for wildlife. The conservancy reports more than 500 Grevy’s zebra, an endangered species found only in northern Kenya and Ethiopia, which makes it a good place for photographers. Giraffe, lion, elephant, wild dog, cheetah and kudu also occur.
The only accommodation named by the source is the 18-bed Saasab Tented Camp on the Ewaso Nyiro. The main gate is about 70 km from Archer’s Post, reached north on the A2 and then west on the C79. Westgate suits travellers who want a small camp, a river setting and Grevy’s zebra without a large crowd.
Sera Conservancy and rhino tracking on foot
Sera is the largest of the four at 3,450 km², and was set up in 2001 under NRT. Its black rhino population was reintroduced in 2015 and is protected inside a dedicated sanctuary. Abiri Kenya describes Sera as the only place in Eastern Africa where visitors can track black rhino on foot, led by community rangers.
That experience depends on rangers, conditions and the rhino’s whereabouts, so no operator can promise a sighting. Walks have strict rules: you follow the ranger, keep quiet, stay together and keep your distance. Sera’s western edge follows the A2 Isiolo to Archer’s Post to Merille road for about 104 km, and the conservancy is a long drive or a short flight from Samburu. Ask us which camp and airstrip suit your dates.
Namunyak and the Mathews Range
Namunyak, founded in 1996, was formed when six Samburu group ranches pooled land to create a safe range for wildlife. It covers about 3,440 km² and takes in the Mathews Range, Kitich Forest and Mount Ololokwe. Wildlife includes elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, giraffe, gerenuk and greater kudu. Sarara Camp and Kitich Camp are named on the Abiri Kenya page.
The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary lies within Namunyak, on Ngilai West group ranch. It is reported as the first community-owned elephant sanctuary in Africa, caring for orphaned calves and releasing them back to the wild. Confirm with us whether a visit fits your dates, because access arrangements change.
Namunyak is for travellers who like remote, mountainous country and do not mind long transfers. Walking, forest and quiet are the reasons to come, rather than big cat numbers.
Trips that reach northern Kenya
These Entice itineraries cover the north. Tell us which conservancy interests you and we will say how it can be added or swapped in.
- 10-Day Kenya Safari: Samburu to the Maasai Mara. For first-timers who want the north and the Mara in one trip. From USD 5,100 per person.
- 9 Days Untamed Safari to the Hidden Northern Kenya Circuit. For travellers who want a longer northern loop. From USD 4,730 per person.
Prices are low-season, midrange, per person for two sharing. They depend on season, group size and lodge choice.
Safaris that fit this guide
9-Day Hidden Northern Kenya SafariLaikipia, Meru and Samburu off the beaten track9 days · from $4,730 ppView trip →
9-Day Big Cat SafariLions, leopards and cheetahs: Mara, Nakuru, Samburu9 days · from $4,900 ppView trip →
8-Day Samburu and Mara by AirNorthern specials and big cats8 days · from $5,100 ppView trip →Every trip is private and can be changed to suit you. Get a free, tailor-made quote in 6 hours →
Which conservancy suits you
| If you want | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Samburu’s special animals with fewer vehicles | Kalama | Contiguous with the reserve |
| Grevy’s zebra and a river camp | Westgate | More than 500 Grevy’s zebra reported; Ewaso Nyiro frontage |
| Black rhino on foot | Sera | Rhino reintroduced 2015; walking tracking offered |
| Mountains, forest and remoteness | Namunyak | Mathews Range, Kitich Forest, Reteti sanctuary |
| Both north and Mara in one trip | Kalama or Westgate | Easiest to combine with the reserve |
Getting there and how long to stay
Archer’s Post on the A2 is the usual gateway for all four, and road distances inside the conservancies are long, so many travellers fly to an airstrip and drive from there. Two nights is the minimum for any one conservancy, and three or more suits Sera or Namunyak. If you are building a wider route, our guides to the Laikipia and Samburu safari and the northern Kenya safari show how the north links with Ol Pejeta and Laikipia. If you also want the Mara, read about the Mara North Conservancy.
Conservancy fees and camp rates change by season, so we confirm them in your quote rather than print them here. Check current travel advice for Kenya before you book; security operations are reported in parts of northern Kenya, and we plan routes with that in mind.
Putting two places together
Most travellers get more from a trip when they pair places that feel different. A common shape is two nights at Samburu National Reserve or Kalama for the river and the Special Five, followed by two or three nights at Sera or Namunyak for something wilder. Pairing Kalama with Westgate works if you want a gentler trip with a lot of Grevy’s zebra and few long transfers.
Tell us how much driving you are comfortable with, whether you can walk for a few hours, and whether you also want the Mara or Laikipia. We then suggest an order that keeps the long days short and leaves room for the activities that matter most to you, such as a rhino walk, a village or beadwork visit, or simply an unhurried morning drive along the river.
What to pack and how to behave
- Neutral clothing, a hat, sunscreen and closed shoes for walks.
- Binoculars, because many of the northern species are shy.
- A camera lens that reaches distance for rhino and Grevy’s zebra.
- Cash for the beadwork project and community crafts.
- Respect for herders: ask before photographing people.
Get your free safari quote in 6 hours
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A planner in our Nairobi office replies within 6 hours with a day-by-day itinerary, the camps we suggest and a fully itemised price. No payment is needed to enquire.
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Frequently asked questions
Are Kalama and Westgate inside Samburu National Reserve?
No. They are separate community conservancies. Kalama is contiguous with the reserve to its south, and Westgate lies nearby, both on community land with their own camps and rules.
Can I really track rhino on foot at Sera?
Abiri Kenya describes Sera as the only place in Eastern Africa where visitors can track black rhino on foot. Sightings are never guaranteed, and walks follow ranger instructions.
Which conservancy is best for Grevy’s zebra?
Westgate reports more than 500 Grevy’s zebra, and Kalama also lists them. The reserve itself is also a good place to look for them.
Can I visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary?
Reteti is within Namunyak. Whether a visit is possible depends on current access arrangements, so ask us when you request a quote.
Do I need a 4×4 and a long road trip?
Roads between Archer’s Post and the conservancies can be rough and distances are long. Most itineraries use a safari vehicle with a guide, and some use flights to airstrips.
Can I combine the conservancies with the Masai Mara?
Yes. Our 10-day trip from Samburu to the Maasai Mara does exactly this, and we can adjust it to include a conservancy stay.
Is a community conservancy safari good for the local people?
Fees go to the landowning communities and support rangers and local projects, which is the model behind these conservancies. Ask us how a particular camp shares its income.
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