Samburu National Reserve adjoins the Buffalo Springs in the south and the Shaba National Reserve ( Shaba takes its name from Mount Shaba – 1525 meters ABSL, a volcanic mountain that became extinct around 5,000 years ago and lies on the border of the reserve.) to the East. These game reserves are traversed by the Ewaso Nyiro River which meanders slowly between numerous acacia and doum trees, providing life support to the dry-land animals and a home to many crocodiles and Hippos.
Covering an area of 165 square kilometers, Samburu National reserve is located on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro river in Kenya’s Samburu County. In the middle of the reserve flows the Ewaso Nyiro river through doum palm groves and thick ravine forest. This river is the main source of water, and without it the game in this arid region would not survive. This park is world famous because is where born free Elsa the lioness was raised by George and Joy Adamson, and Kamunyak the lioness adopted an Oryx. Large game common in Kenya’s northern plains can be found in large numbers here including gerenuk, Gravy’s zebra, Beisa oryx and reticulated giraffe. All the three big cats can also be found here, lion, leopard and cheetah as well as elephant, buffalo and hippos. Also present are 350 species of birds and crocodiles which can be seen basking in the sun along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro river.
Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National 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. Buffalo Springs records over 365 species of bird. Game viewing and visibility is excellent. Reticulated giraffe, Gravy’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.
Samburu Shaba and Buffalo Springs Reserves Safari Attraction
The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic Northern species, including Gerenuk, the Reticulated Giraffe, and Gravy’s Zebra, the long horned Beisa Oryx and the Somali Ostrich.
