Nature Sanctuaries in Samburu
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary: A Success Story
Until a few decades ago the wildlife in Samburu had been decimated to a likely crises. The locals set into the plains in fear and trepidation of menacing poachers, hunting and killing rhinos and elephants for their horns, waging their destruction unabated. The genesis and exodus, experts warned, was a lack of empowerment to local communities to take ownership of these wildlife resources, which they considered a crises they did not create and solutions they did not want to be part of. Today, all that has been transformed, and the local Samburu take charge of the well-being of their wildlife. In turn, the wildlife numbers have been replenished.
One of the iconic destinations today relating to such community-led initiatives in Samburu is the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Established in 2016 within Namunyak Community Conservancy, Reteti became the foremost community-managed and community-owned elephant sanctuary in Kenya. It enkindles a modern wave of conservation that’s moving-forward Kenya’s agenda of restoring its wildlife and habitats. The very first 40 elephants at Reteti Sanctuary were rescued in 2016 with strong involvement from the communities living around the conservancy, who really wanted to see these elephant thrive and who were previously entangled between ‘a rock and a hard place’ on how to resolve the human-wildlife conflict.
One of the most beautiful things about Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is that it is a community-owned and led effort. All employees come from the local Samburu Community. Right now Reteti has 35 staff caring for 12 elephants, which need 24-hour oversight. For many employees, this is their first job. It’s a delicate balance between giving elephants space and time to do what they should be doing as elephants, but to also be in tune with an elephant’s needs and behavior so that these keepers know when they need to step in and take up more active parenting
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was officially opened by Samburu County Governor, Moses Lenolkulal, on the August 20, 2016. It was founded to rescue and release orphaned and abandoned elephant calves, whilst creating much needed benefits to the local people that live alongside them. Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is open to the public for 3 hour daily – between 8:30 to 10 am and between 11:30 am and 1 p.m. It is important that you arrive promptly at 8.30 am or 11.30 am and wear green if possible. Conservation fee is Shs. 150 for residents and USD 20 for Non-residents. Reteti Sanctuary is found 63 km northwest of Archer’s Post at Sereolipi.
Around Kenya are to be found a hatful of delightful nature parks and sanctuaries, many of these being community initiatives to protect wildlife in their natural habitats. Fairly small in comparison to the national parks and reserves, they offer a more intimate exposure to the wild, to fully appreciate the local flora and fauna.
Index of Nature Parks & Sanctuaries in Kenya
Bomet County - Kipsegon Ecosystem, Masese Nyangores Ecotourism Site, Bungoma County - Buteyo Miti Park, Garissa County - Garissa Giraffe Centre, Bour Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Homa Bay County - Ondago Swamp Nature Sanctuary, Kakamega County - Isecheno Nature Reserve, Yala Nature Sanctuary, Kericho County - Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary, Chebown Nature Sanctuary, Kilifi County - Mnarani Snake Park, Mazingira Park, A Rocha Ecolodge & Conservation Centre, Mida Creek Sanctuary, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Mida Creek Nature Camp, The Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Kisumu County - Dunga Beach Wetland Boardwalk, Kitui County - Mutomo Reptile Park, Kwale County - Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Colobus Conservation, Kaya Kinondo, Bora Bora Wildlife Park, Diani Reptile Park, Wasini Boardwalk, Gazi Boardwalk, Lamu County - Amu Ranch, Makueni County - Kivungoni Springs, Meru County - Thaaru Springs, Mombasa County - Mombasa Butterfly House, Haller Park, The Butterfly Pavillion, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Nairobi County - Nairobi Arboretum, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Safari Walk, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nyandarua County - Sharpe's Longclaw Reserve, Samburu County - Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Maralal Game Sanctuary, Taita Taveta County - Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Njoro Springs, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Tana River County - Ozi Conservation, Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Nature Conservancy, Treasure of Africa, Uasin Gishu County - River Sosiani Park, Eldoret Nature & Cultural Centre Park, Wajir County - Wajir Giraffe Sanctuary
outlook
Samburu County, in northern Kenya, offers stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife. Known for its stunning mountains, hills, remote wilderness, traditional Samburu culture, and less-visited national reserves, the county provides an authentic experience away from the popular safari circuit.
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Explore Destinations Near Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
A Guide to Samburu County
A Summa Digest of Samburu
About Samburu Way Back When
50 Destinations in Samburu County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, west then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shaba National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Archer's Post, Chanler’s Falls, Umoja Cultural Village, Nashipa Eco Camp, Lion's Cave Camp, Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Camp, Ewaso Lions, Kalama Conservancy, Saruni Samburu Lodge, Westgate Conservancy, Rhodia Mann Museum, Meibai Conservancy, Mount Ololokwe, Namunyak Community Conservancy, Sarara Camp, Singing Wells, Reteti Sanctuary, Mathews Range, Kitich Camp, Sera Conservancy, Saruni Rhino Camp, Ndoto Mountains, Mlima Tatu, Ngurunit, Ngurunit Rock Pools, Camp Ndotto, Mount Nyiru, Desert Rose, El Barta, Samburu Hills, Baragoi Deanery, Nachola Site, Napong Hills, Losiolo Escarpment, Emuruangogolak, Kirisia Forest, Ngari Hill Lodge, Maralal Safari Lodge, Yale Camp, Maralal Camel Derby, Kenyatta House Maralal, Loroghi Plateau, Engare Narok Sanctuary, Lake Mbaringon
Know More About Samburu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Over 80% of Samburu lies within the fragile arid to semi-arid ecological vast block of Kenya. Altitude, excepting the ranges and mountains, varies from 2040 ms to 600 ms asl.
Samburu is almost always hot! The driest months are January and February. The mean annual temperature is 29oC, with fast blowing winds especially on the lowlands. Rain is temporal and erratic.