A detailed overview of operations, governance, and revenue collection for responsible tourism and conservation
1. Introduction
Samburu National Reserve (SNR) is one of Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife reserves, known for its rugged beauty, rare species, and deep cultural ties to the Samburu people. What makes it distinct from other major reserves like Maasai Mara or Amboseli is its management structure—SNR is administered not by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) but by the Samburu County Government through its Department of Tourism, Trade, and Wildlife.
This model means that revenues collected from park entry fees and related activities directly support county operations, conservation programs, and local communities. The County’s approach emphasizes coexistence between wildlife, tourism, and the Samburu pastoralist communities whose lives are intertwined with the land.
2. Governance and Management Structure
2.1. County Mandate
Under Kenya’s devolved governance system, Samburu County Government holds the legal mandate to manage and protect county-level game reserves. This is guided by the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the County Governments Act (2012), which devolve certain wildlife management functions from the national to county level.
2.2. Responsible Departments
The Department of Tourism, Trade, and Wildlife oversees the day-to-day management of Samburu National Reserve. Within this department are specialized divisions handling:
- Gate Operations & Revenue Collection
- Security and Ranger Services
- Conservation and Research Partnerships
- Tourism Development & Community Liaison
A Reserve Manager (appointed by the County) coordinates field operations and reports to the Chief Officer and County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Tourism and Wildlife.
2.3. Key Partners
Samburu County works closely with numerous conservation and research organizations, including:
- Save the Elephants (STE) – which operates a long-term elephant research project in the reserve.
- Ewaso Lions – focusing on predator monitoring and community engagement.
- Grevy’s Zebra Trust – working to conserve endangered Grevy’s zebra populations.
- Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) – supporting community conservancies adjacent to the reserve.
- Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) – for technical and security collaboration.
Together, these partnerships strengthen monitoring, law enforcement, and ecological research.
3. Operational Management
3.1. Gate Management and Entry
Samburu National Reserve has several official entry and exit gates, with the main access being Archer’s Post Gate. Other minor gates connect to neighboring Buffalo Springs and Shaba Reserves, forming a tri-reserve ecosystem.
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Night game drives are not allowed within the main reserve area.
Visitors’ permits are valid for 24 hours from the time of entry. Tickets are checked both at the gate and at exit to ensure compliance with park rules.
3.2. Rangers and Security
The County employs wildlife rangers and wardens who patrol the reserve to:
- Enforce anti-poaching and anti-grazing laws
- Monitor wildlife movement
- Ensure visitor safety
- Respond to incidents such as animal distress or human-wildlife conflict
Ranger patrols are supported by a Joint Operations Command Center, developed in collaboration with Save the Elephants. This facility uses satellite and radio tracking, drones, and real-time mapping software (EarthRanger) to coordinate ranger activity, track collared elephants, and respond to security threats.
3.3. Infrastructure Maintenance
Revenue collected from park entry and related charges funds the maintenance of:
- Internal roads and bridges (grading, drainage, signage)
- Visitor facilities (viewpoints, washrooms, picnic areas)
- Park vehicles and ranger stations
- Power, water, and communication systems at gates
Regular maintenance ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors while protecting sensitive habitats.
4. Revenue Collection and Financial Framework
4.1. Legal Basis
All fees charged in Samburu National Reserve are established through the Samburu County Finance Act, passed annually by the County Assembly. The Act defines:
- Entry fees for citizens, residents, and non-residents
- Vehicle and aircraft landing fees
- Camping and filming permits
- Concession and lease arrangements
This ensures transparent, lawful revenue collection aligned with national financial management standards.
4.2. Payment Methods
Visitors can pay for park access using:
- Credit/Debit Card (Visa/MasterCard)
- Mobile money (M-Pesa)
- Cash (USD or KES) – accepted for walk-in visitors
Most tour operators, however, bundle park fees into safari packages, remitting the payment directly to the County Treasury or authorized gate offices.
4.3. Samburu NR Fee Categories (Indicative 2025)
(Rates vary periodically and are confirmed through the current Samburu County Finance Act)
| Visitor Type | Adult | Child (below 12 years) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident | USD 70 | USD 40 | 24 hours |
| Resident | KES 1,000 | KES 500 | 24 hours |
| Kenyan Citizen | KES 500 | KES 300 | 24 hours |
Additional charges include:
- Vehicle Entry Fees (based on size/type)
- Camping Fees (per person per night)
- Aircraft Landing Fees (for charters or fly-in safaris)
- Filming & Research Permits (by application)
4.4. Revenue Flow and Utilization
- Collection: All payments are received at gates or through approved county treasury systems.
- Deposit: Funds are remitted to the County Revenue Fund, in line with the Public Finance Management Act.
- Allocation: The County Treasury disburses the funds through the annual budget for:
- Ranger wages and patrol operations
- Fuel, vehicles, and communications
- Road and facility maintenance
- Conservation partnerships and training
- Community development and benefit-sharing initiatives
4.5. Economic Importance
Tourism is one of Samburu County’s largest sources of Own Source Revenue (OSR)—alongside trade licenses and land rates. The reserve’s earnings help fund local infrastructure, education bursaries, and social services, thereby linking wildlife tourism directly to local development.
5. Conservation and Research Partnerships
Samburu’s management model integrates science-based conservation with local community inclusion.
- Save the Elephants has collared and tracked over 1,000 elephants, providing real-time data that informs ranger patrols and migration corridor management.
- Ewaso Lions works to reduce human–lion conflict through community scouts and education.
- Grevy’s Zebra Trust engages herders as “Grevy’s Scouts” to monitor endangered zebra populations.
- Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) links Samburu Reserve with community conservancies such as Westgate and Kalama, expanding wildlife corridors and reducing grazing pressure.
Together, these partnerships ensure that conservation efforts go beyond park boundaries, supporting the broader Ewaso Nyiro ecosystem.
6. Community Involvement and Benefit Sharing
Samburu County recognizes that long-term conservation depends on the support of surrounding communities.
- Employment: Many rangers, guides, and camp staff are recruited locally.
- Community fees: Lodges and camps operating on county or community land pay lease or concession fees that are shared with local groups.
- Cultural tourism: Visitors can take guided tours of Samburu homesteads, markets, and beadwork cooperatives, generating direct income.
- Education and outreach: The County and its partners run awareness programs in schools on wildlife coexistence and sustainable resource use.
This model fosters a sense of ownership among residents, aligning conservation with community prosperity.
7. Visitor Experience and Park Regulations
7.1. Key Attractions
- Ewaso Nyiro River: Lifeline of the ecosystem, sustaining elephants, hippos, and crocodiles.
- The Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk.
- Observation Points: Koitogor and Ololokwe viewpoints for panoramic landscapes.
- Reteti Elephant Sanctuary: Community-run rehabilitation center north of the reserve.
- Cultural Encounters: Authentic interactions with Samburu people.
7.2. Rules for Visitors
- No off-road driving in the core reserve area.
- Observe wildlife from safe distances.
- No littering or feeding animals.
- Drones and filming require county permits.
- No night game drives within the main reserve.
These regulations protect wildlife and ensure a low-impact visitor experience.
8. Transparency and Accountability Measures
To promote good governance, Samburu County:
- Publishes annual Finance Acts and Budget Statements outlining fee structures.
- Uses Point-of-Sale (POS) systems and digital receipts at gates to reduce cash leakages.
- Collaborates with the Office of the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General to track collection and expenditure performance.
- Holds periodic stakeholder forums with lodge operators, tour guides, and community representatives to review performance and address concerns.
Such mechanisms ensure that tourism revenue remains traceable, well-managed, and reinvested into conservation and community welfare.
9. Challenges and Ongoing Reforms
Despite its successes, Samburu County faces ongoing challenges in managing the reserve effectively:
- Climate change and droughts leading to resource competition with herders.
- Human-wildlife conflict outside the protected core, particularly with elephants.
- Revenue leakages from manual systems, gradually being addressed through digitization.
- Limited infrastructure funding, given the remote location and high maintenance costs.
The County’s future plans include upgrading digital payment systems, expanding ranger housing, improving visitor facilities, and implementing joint patrol protocols with neighboring counties to strengthen security and wildlife corridor management.
10. The Role of Responsible Tourism
Visitors can directly contribute to the sustainability of Samburu National Reserve by:
- Choosing licensed operators who adhere to conservation ethics.
- Staying in community-linked camps or eco-lodges that share benefits locally.
- Purchasing authentic Samburu handicrafts from women’s cooperatives.
- Respecting cultural norms and wildlife-viewing rules.
- Supporting ongoing research and conservation projects through donations or educational visits.
Responsible tourism ensures that every safari experience reinforces the delicate balance between people, wildlife, and the land.
11. Conclusion
Samburu County’s stewardship of Samburu National Reserve is a model of devolved wildlife governance—combining local control with scientific management and community inclusion. Revenue from tourism sustains both the park’s infrastructure and the livelihoods of people living around it.
Through partnerships with conservation organizations, transparent financial systems, and growing visitor awareness, Samburu County continues to demonstrate that local ownership of wildlife resources can coexist with world-class tourism and robust conservation outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- Managing Entity: Samburu County Government, Department of Tourism, Trade & Wildlife
- Revenue Framework: Annual County Finance Act defines all park-related fees
- Collection System: Gate-based POS and treasury remittance into County Revenue Fund
- Use of Funds: Operations, conservation, community development
- Partnerships: Save the Elephants, Ewaso Lions, Grevy’s Zebra Trust, NRT, KWS
- Visitor Policy: 24-hour tickets, conservation-based regulations, responsible travel encouraged