SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

 

All three reserves offer unique vistas of rounded and rugged hills and undulating plains. The mix of wood and grassland with riverine forest and swamp is home to a wide variety of animal and birdlife during the Kenya safari . Buffalo Springs records over 365 species of bird. Game viewing and visibility is excellent. Reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, elephant, oryx, Somali ostrich, hippo, crocodile, gerenuk, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena.

Shaba National Reserve is home to Joy Adamson's Monument. It is notable for its hot springs. Samburu and Buffalo Springs, in particular, are popular Kenya safaris routes. Samburu covers an area of 104 Sq. Kms and is 343 Kms from Nairobi at an altitude of 2,500 Ft.  Buffalo Springs covers 131 Sq.Kms and both were opened in 1985. Both lies in the same ecosystem. There are three lodges in Samburu, one lodge in Shaba and one tented lodge. There are a number of special campsites in each park, favored by the mobile tented safari operators, which have to be pre-booked. Shaba also has an airstrip.

 

Maralal and Laikipia Game Sanctuaries are also located in this vicinity and is easily accessible on prior  arrangement. Laikipia Plateau Reserve was opened in October 1991. It is north-east of Laikipia district and borders Isiolo district. To the west is the Mkogodo Forest Reserve, a belt of riverine forest along the Ngare Ndare River. It is the homeland of a unique small tribe known as the Laikipia Maasai.

The landscape is rich and varied, game includes elephant, eland, buffalo, zebra, bushbuck, duiker, bush pigs, Gerenuks, Plains games and the big cats include cheetahs, leopards and lions. A great haven for bird watching and walking adventures including camel safaris.

 

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