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On Safari with Samburu Warriors
1. On Safari with Samburu Warriors in Northern Kenya
Game watching enthusiasts in search of an unforgettable opportunity to interact with the an authentic African warriors while enjoying an
African safari are best directed to the northern region of Kenya.
Despite the harsh climate, the beautiful desert and semi desert landscapes bear possibilities for viewing rare game. Some of the elusive species that can be spotted in northern Kenya include Grevy's zebras, bersia oryx, Somali ostriches, reticulated giraffes and gerenuks that are found nowhere else in Kenya.
Traversing the northern Kenya wilds can be a daunting task for the first time traveler and it is advisable to obtain the services of guides with local knowledge. And those who know northern Kenya best are its own native sons the Samburu.
Closely related to the more famous Maasai of Kenya, the Samburu are among the few African tribes that in the most have retained their traditional way of life. Livestock – cattle, sheep, goats and camels- are of utmost importance to the Samburu culture, being a semi-nomadic pastoralist people they are extremely dependent on their animals for survival.
To ensure the animals remain well nourished, the Samburu move every 5-6 weeks in search of fresh grazing grounds. This nomadic lifestyle calls for habitation in makeshift dwellings for ease of mobility. Samburu huts are similar those of the Maasai. Popularly known as “Manyatta”, they are made of earth and dung and are supported using tree branches. The huts are surrounded by a fence of thorny bushes derived from the acacia tree and other types of thorny bushes. A typical Samburu homestead comprises several manyattas belonging to a group of 5 to 10 families.
The Samburu have an eventful history intertwined with that of other Nilotic peoples of East Africa. It is believed that the Samburu originated from the Sudan and settled north of Mount Kenya and south of lake Turkana in the Rift Valley area of Kenya in the 15th century.
During this period the community separated with their Maasai relatives who opted to move further south, perhaps under pressure of the neighbouring Borana expansion into their plains. Under British colonial rule, the Samburu were not much disrupted since the British did not find their land particularly attractive.
The dressing style of the Samburu is similar to that of the Maasai and it is so easy to confuse the two. The Samburu don striking red cloth wrapped around like a skirt -called Shukka- and a white sash. This is enhanced with many colorful beaded necklaces, earrings and bracelets. The Samburu also paint their faces in striking patterns to accentuate their facial features.
Dancing plays an important part in the Samburu culture. Dances are similar to those of the Maasai; men dance in a circle, jumping very high from a standing position. Men and women do not dance in the same circle, but they do coordinate their dances. Interestingly the Samburu do not use any instruments to accompany their singing and dancing preferring to be led by vocals.
Circumcision of both boys and girls is one of the most important rituals among the Samburu. For boys, it marks the initiation into warrior life while for girls it transition to womanhood. Once circumcised, a girl is given away in an arranged marriage to start her own family. But in recent times concerted efforts by the Kenya government and non governmental organizations have remarkably reduced cases of female circumcision and early marriages among the Samburu.
Regarding their eating habits, the Samburu's diet consists of milk and sometimes cows blood. The blood is collected by making a tiny nick in the jugular of the cow, after which it is drained into a cup. The wound is then quickly sealed with hot ash.
The Samburu rarely slaughter their animals unless on special occasions such as marriage and childbirth when meat is served. The Samburu diet is at times supplemented with roots, vegetables and tubers.
Samburu men and boys are concerned with the provision of security in the homestead as well as ensuring that animals have enough forage. On their part, Samburu women are expected to maintain their homes, gather food and look after animals.
The Samburu are a very hospitable and welcoming community. Travellers to the north of Kenya can therefore take advantage of the friendliness and expertise of the Samburu to explore the region. Some of the major wildlife attractions in the Samburu neighbourhood are the Samburu, Buffalo Springs, Shaba and Laikipia game reserves.
Located some 325 km north of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, Samburu National Reserve is a great game-viewing safari destination. The reserve hosts a number of wildlife species rarely found elsewhere, including the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe and the incredibly beautiful Grevy's zebras.
Other animals that are easily spotted within the Samburu National Reserve include waterbucks, dik diks, buffalos and grants gazelles. Hundreds of Gerenuk -long-necked antelopes, can also be spotted reaching for the succulence among the withered scrub.
Home to over 350 bird species, Samburu National Reserve is a haven for the birdwatching enthusiast. Kingfishers, Guinea fowls, humming birds and eagles are some of the bird varieties that can be seen hovering around the reserve. In addition, large earthbound birdlife in the name of the Somali ostrich dominates the plains. The Somali ostrich, easily distinguished by its indigo legs and neck, is larger than its southern cousin – Maasai ostrich.
Large numbers of crocodile can be spotted basking on sandbanks at almost every bend of the Ewaso Ngiro River. The river, which nourishes the arid land forming a green ribbon along its pathway, traverses some hundreds of kilometers from the Aberdares ranges before vanishing beyond Samburu in the recesses of Lorian swamp. In the lower reaches - where giant acacias and figs provide shade to the thirsty wildlife, you find hippos and elephants seeking to quench their thirst by shallow waters of the river.
Samburu National Reserve occupies an area of 142 square kilometers and can be accessed by air or road from Nairobi. There are daily flights to Samburu with stopovers at Nanyuki town, located approximately 80 km away. Alternatively you can easily drive to Samburu reserve from Nairobi. You can find good accommodation in the several
lodges in Samburu from luxury camps, budget lodges and public campsites.
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