BUFFALO SPRINGS NATIONAL GAME RESERVE
Buffalo Springs national game reserve is a wonderland of wildlife and scenic views situated in the south of the Samburu national reserve lieing on the other side of the Ewaso Ngiro River. The reserve is located in the northern region of Kenya covering an area of 131 square kilometers, the reserve has been recognized for being a gathering place for a diverse array of interesting and wonderful creatures with some of the them adapting to the arid and hostile conditions and others drawn to the water grounds the only permanent water sources.
Some of the desert dwellers in Buffalo Springs national game reserve include Beisa Oryxes, gerenuks, grant’s gazelles, reticulated giraffes and Grevy’s zebras. Other animals found in this reserve are waterbucks, Burchell’s zebras, buffaloes which are inhabit and feed on the river grasses, large herds of elephants seen around the banks of the river drinking and bathing, stripped hyenas, cheetahs, lions, leopards and many more. The reserve is a birding haven and a perfect destination for Kenya bird watching safaris, the reserve is a home to over 390 bird species include a number of northeast African dry-country species that are shared by Ethopia and Somalia. Birds in the reserve include Somali ostrich, Vulturine guinea fowls, Abyssinian ground hornbills, Egyptian vulture, Speckled Pigeon, Mourning Collared-Dove, Red-eyed Dove, Ring-necked Dove Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Black Kori Bustard, White-bellied Bustard, Red- faced Sandgrouse, African Cuckoo and many more.
The reserve comprises of gently rolling lowland plains of old lava flows and volcanic soils of olivine basalt, some of the main features on the reserve is the Champagne Ride, an ancient lava terrace in the south east, at the western end of the reserve there is an oasis of clear water from which the reserve gets its name, these springs were formed as a result of rising of underground streams coming from Mount Kenya.
Buffalo Springs national game reserve’s entire ecosystem is mainly sustained by water from the Ewaso Nyiro river where there is a narrow band of doum palms, riverine forests and grasslands.
The reserve was established as a national reserve in 1948 in the beautiful arid place with buffalo springs as a spectacular feature serving as a place where animals that never or seldom drink to thrive.
WHAT TO DO IN BUFALLO SPRINGS NATIONAL GAME RESERVE
Game drives
Game viewing is the highlight Kenya safari activity in the reserve done in a custom vehicle with an experienced guide who is well knowledgeable about the reserve. On the game drive you get to view many animals such as Grevy’s zebras, Beisa Oryx, gerenuk, elephants, reticulated giraffes, lions and many more.
Animals in the park are most spotted along the banks of Ewaso Ngiro River which they crowd to drink water, game viewing in this reserve is best throughout the year but the best season to spot many animals is between June to October.
Walking safaris
Buffalo Springs national game reserve is an interesting Kenya safari destination for Kenya walking safaris, this intriguing excursion is done on foot with a guidance of an armed safari guide for protection purposes. Walking safaris in the reserve is some form of physical exercise and offers sights of many animals such as buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, elands and many more most especially along the banks of Ewaso Ngiro River. You also get to enjoy the scenic landscape of the reserve and visit the magnificent Buffalo Springs.
Bird watching
Buffalo Springs national game reserve is an important birding habitat and a rewarding Kenya birding safari destination most especially for birder looking for northeast African dry-country bird species. Bird watching safari in the reserve offer an opportunity to watch a huge concentration of birds including Somali ostrich, Vulturine guinea fowls, Abyssinian ground hornbills, Egyptian vulture, Speckled Pigeon, Mourning Collared-Dove, Red-eyed Dove, Ring-necked Dove Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Black Kori Bustard, White-bellied Bustard, Red- faced Sandgrouse, African Cuckoo and many more.
Cultural safaris
Cultural safaris in the reserve offer an opportunity to explore the Samburu tribes in their local communities situated along the borders of the reserve, on this experience you will discover the lifestyle, traditions, norms and cultural practices of the people. In the Samburu community you will witness women gathering vegetables, Samburu men rearing their livestock, huts built using hide, mud and grass mats strung over poles and many more.
WHERE TO STAY IN BUFFALO SPRINGS NATIONAL GAME RESERVE
In the reserve there is a list of beautiful and comfortable accommodation facilities ranging from luxury, midrange and budget, these facilities offer you a comfortable stay during your Kenya safari in the reserve and the include
- Samburu Simba Lodge
- Ashnil Samburu camp
- Lion King Bush camp and many more
HOW TO GET TO BUFFALO SPRINGS NATIONAL GAME RESERVE
Buffalo Springs national game reserve can be accessed by road and air means of transport,
By air – domestic and chartered flights to buffalo springs national game reserve are got from Wilson airport situated 6 kilometers south of Nairobi landing at Buffalo Springs Airstrip.
By road – most Kenya trips to Buffalo Springs national game reserve start from Nairobi and the reserve is accessed through Nanyuki on a tarmac road to Isiolo then a 22 kilometers Murram road to the reserve.
