Samburu

Samburu is one of Kenya's finest but most underrated wildlife destinations. Set along the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River in Kenya's arid Northern Frontier, it's famous for the "Northern Specials" — five species found nowhere else in Kenya: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and the long-necked gerenuk.

Large prides of lion, elephant herds that wade across the river, leopard in the riverine trees, and rich cultural interaction with the Samburu people make this a deeply rewarding and less-visited destination.