Imagine driving through the dry landscapes of Samburu National Reserve when you spot an antelope standing upright on its hind legs, reaching into the branches of an acacia tree.
For a moment, you might wonder if you are looking at a very strange-looking giraffe.
You are actually looking at a gerenuk one of the most unusual and fascinating animals you can encounter on a Samburu safari.
The name gerenuk comes from the Somali word for “giraffe-necked,” and once you see one feeding, the name makes perfect sense. With its remarkably long neck and slender legs, the gerenuk has a unique ability that sets it apart from most antelopes: it can stand on its hind legs to reach leaves high above the ground.
Built for Samburu
The gerenuk is perfectly suited to the dry conditions of northern Kenya. Much of its diet consists of leaves, shoots, flowers and fruits, and it can get much of the moisture it needs from the plants it eats.
This means it can survive in places where water is not always readily available an impressive adaptation to the semi-arid landscape of Samburu.
But perhaps the best part of seeing a gerenuk is simply watching it.
They are generally quiet and graceful animals. Spotting one stretching upwards to browse from a tree can turn an ordinary game drive into one of those unexpected safari moments you remember for years.
One of the Samburu Special Five
The gerenuk is one of the famous Samburu Special Five, alongside the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.
These species are closely associated with northern Kenya and are among the reasons Samburu National Reserve offers such a different safari experience.
So, when you visit Samburu, keep your eyes on the trees as well as the open plains. You never know when you might spot Kenya's long-necked antelope standing tall above the bush.
