Samburu, Buffalo Springs National Reserve

North of Mount Kenya is desert like areas that stretches all the way up to Ethiopia. This is home to Samburu- and Buffalo Springs National Reserve. With its 175 km2 it is also home to wildlife rarely seen in other parts of Kenya. The two parks are only split by the river Ewaso Ngiro, Samburu on the northern side and Buffalo springs on the southern side. They are considered to be one park, even though they have different owners. The area is very dry and dusty, even warmer than the eastern and southern safari areas. Ewaso Ngiro is the live nerve for the area, with its brown water this is the water source for the wildlife in the parks. Acacia and doum-palms on the river shore is a nice contrast to the brown river. The parks are surrounded with mountains and incredible beautiful with its red brown sand, cobber colored mountains, sharp torn bushes, and the dryness. Only 250mm of rain each year sets high demands for the wild- and birdlife in the parks. A visit to a Samburu tribe village is highly recommended. Samburu warriors are related to Masai tribe found in the southern part of Kenya.

Wildlife:

Wildlife rarely found other than in Samburu and Buffalo Springs one can mention, small striped grevy zebra, netgiraf, Somalia ostrich, and the majestic oryx-antilope. Predators are also to be found in the parks, such as lion, leopards, and cheetahs. Especially in the dry season the predators watch the river bench for antelopes and gazelles that carefully approaches the river. The elephant is hard to miss in these areas.

Travel:

From Nairobi to Samburu is approximately 415 km (six hours drive), it is therefore recommended to overnight at Aberdare National Reserve, before taking the rest of the drive to Samburu. The alternative is to fly directly from Nairobi to Samburu. From Nairobi the road goes north towards Mount Kenya. When passing Mount Kenya the tallest mountain in Kenya and starts to drive down into lower parts towards Isiolo the heats hit you. After Isiolo there are no more asphalted roads, it is now unto gravel before turning towards the Ngare Mara Gate.

Lodges and camps:

The parks have excellent lodges and camps, plus more primitive tent camps, all directly down to the river. Some safari lodges advertise with daily feeding of the five meter long crocodile for the pleasure of the safari guests.