North of Mt Kenya and Isiolo, these reserves and parks offer the chance to experience the dry, arid thornbush lands that support unusual species such as Grevy's Zebra, Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx and Somali Ostrich. The Samburu people are incredible guides and this region offers a fascinating insight to their culture.
Samburu National Park and Buffalo Springs are often referred to together as they share a common boundary - the Ewaso Ng'iro River. It's name means 'muddy waters' in the local language. Close to Isiolo, these reserves can be accessed by flying to Nanyuki and then charter flights or road transfers. There are some lovely private luxury camps in the region or some larger lodges in the park areas.
Buffalo Springs National Reserve sits south of the river and has a couple of seasonal rivers flowing through it surrounded by rolling volcanic plains, rocky outcrops and swamps. Samburu National Reserve north of the river is obviously similar but drier with more outcrops of rock and thorny bush.
In both reserves the arid terrain supports many desert adapted animals and species found in northern Kenya and other adjoining countries, different to those species found in the countrie's more frequently visited parks further south.
The river areas have good populations of crocodile and hippo and for keen birders there are nearly 400 species.
Further out from Buffalo Springs is the smaller Shaba National Reserve, a beautifully scenic place, dominated by Shaba Hill in the southern section and a perfect place for leopard with it's rocky outcrops and ravines. The river cuts through the reserve giving areas of riverine forest with doum palms and grasslands and the whole area contains lava outcrops and springs from the volcanic geology of the region. In addition to the same wildlife found in Samburu and Buffalo Springs, the endangered Wild Dog are sometimes found in Shaba. Various films over the years have used Shaba as a location including Out of Africa, Born Free and Survivor 3.
Around these three reserves are many Samburu manyattas (villages) where guests can meet the Samburu people and learn about their culture. Many lodges and camps have local community projects in place with these tribes people and are happy to include visits to these projects during your stay here.
