What animals are in the Buffalo Springs? The Buffalo Springs National Reserve is a Kenya safari tour destination located far in Isiolo County at the base of Mount Kenya, beckoning visitors to see its varied species and enchanted landscapes. This reserve, which shares boundaries with the Samburu National Reserve to the north and the Shaba National Reserve to the northeast, is named after an oasis of clean water from the Ewaso Nyiro River. It is a vital component of the Samburu–Isiolo game ecosystem.
Buffalo Springs, which covers 131 square kilometres and sits between 850 and 1,230 metres above sea level, enthrals visitors with its gently undulating lowland plain made of old lava flows and olivine basalt soils. The reserve is surrounded by a thin strip of riverine woodland that is home to magnificent Acacia elation species, Doum Palms, and Tana River Poplars. The Ewaso Ngiro River flows through the area. Acacia torticollis woodland, semi-arid savannah, and areas of bush land with Commiphora predominating are among the many vegetation types.
Wildlife of Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Buffalo Springs, which is home to many different animals, provides ideal settings for those who enjoy Kenya wildlife. Among the notable inhabitants are the bigger Somali ostrich, which has a striking indigo neck and legs, the reticulated giraffe, the Grevy’s zebra, the Beisa oryx, and the gerenuk. African elephants, buffalos, and the elegant grant’s zebra coexist with predators like lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards. Hippopotamuses and crocodiles inhabit the Ewaso Nyiro River, adding to the diverse wildlife found in this reserve. There are more than 365 different species of birds known to exist in Buffalo Springs making it one of birding safaris in kenya best destination, some of the notable birds are hawks, plovers, eagles, and secretary birds.
Things to do in Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Game watching: Enjoy amazing game watching, including sightings of four of the African big five and large predators. Discover the variety of landscapes within the reserve and look for uncommon animals, such as the Somali ostrich.
Guided Nature Walks: Embark on a guided nature walk to really experience the outdoors. These excursions, which are led by armed game rangers, provide a closer look at the reserve’s finer elements.
Birdwatching: With an abundance of different bird species, Buffalo Springs is a birder’s heaven. Among the birds that can be seen during a birding safari are buffalo weaver birds, starry hawks, and eagles.
Cultural tours: Engage in conversation with the local Samburu pastoralist population. Learn about their distinctive ways of life, take in traditional dances, and get a glimpse into their rich traditional existence
The Best Time to Visit Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Although Buffalo Springs National Reserve is open all year round, game viewing is most popular during the dry season, which runs from June to October. The reserve is accessible from Nairobi via a 4- to 5-hour drive or by charter aircraft that lands at one of the reserve’s two airstrips.
How to get to Buffalo Springs National Reserve
As one of the many hidden landscapes, Buffalo Springs National Reserve is an alternative option for kenya safari tour travellers seeking a discriminating and unrestricted safari trip in northern Kenya’s bush country. It provides a tranquil setting where you can escape into the vast landscape of remarkable flora and fauna. Travellers can reach Buffalo Springs National Reserve in two ways: by air and by road. The reserve is situated 355 km/220 mi north of Nairobi.
By Road
Road transport is one method of accessing the reserve. You have to go from Nairobi via Nanyuki on a tarmac road to Isiolo town before you continue for 22 kilometres on Marram Road to get to this Buffalo Springs National Reserve after arriving in Kenya through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the country’s busiest transportation hub, which is situated 15 km/9 mi southeast of Nairobi. It normally takes four to five hours to go from Nairobi to the national reserve. When you arrive at the international airport, Focus East Africa Safaris will take care of your ground transportation to the reserve. This is always included in your kenya safari tour package, relieving you of all ground transportation concerns so you can make the most of your vacation.
By air
For travellers who choose to arrive in the reserve by air, which may be the most convenient and expedient method, there are daily scheduled flights to the airstrips within the reserve or to the nearby Samburu National Reserve. The scheduled flights are included in your kenya safari package, and your kenya tour operator will often arrange these domestic flights with Airkenya and Safari Link, the two domestic airlines.
Buffalo Springs Airstrip serves as the destination for regular scheduled flights from Nairobi that connect the reserve to other popular tourist spots in Kenya.
Accommodations in Buffalo Springs National Reserve
In Buffalo Springs National Reserve, there is a good selection of lodging options that guarantee comfort and relaxation. These accommodations fall into three categories: luxury, mid-range, and budget; they are ranked according to factors like location, exclusivity, food, service, and room quality, among many others. Several lodging options at Buffalo Springs are available to those seeking the most enjoyable and best safari experience in this National Reserve. These options include:
Samburu Ashnil Lodge
The Ashnil Samburu Lodge is located on the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River and offers a stunning backdrop drop of the Mighty Olokwe mountain, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Buffalo Springs Reserve wilderness. The lodge offers deluxe luxury accommodations that strike a good balance between quality and price. Its thirty (30) guest tents are arranged along the shaded riverbanks under a dense stand of doum palm trees. The rooms are designed in hexagon shapes and come in categories of deluxe twin, double, and triple rooms with plenty of windows that allow you to overlook the surrounding landscape and wildlife. The own porch and sitting space in each room welcome you to unwind amid resident wildlife, while the bathrooms and dressing areas are ideal for changing after outdoor activities.
Samburu Simba lodge
Located in this National Reserve, the Samburu Simba Lodge is a mid-range facility that provides a close-up and intimate African experience while overlooking Buffalo Springs and the Ewaso Nyiro River. The lodge has seventy (70) guest rooms spread across seven villas. Each villa contains six guest rooms on the first floor and an additional four rooms on the upper level. Two of these rooms are ideal for families as they may be joined. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the grazing elephants and unique wildlife, like the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, and long-necked gerenuk, from your room overlooking the breathtaking grasslands.
Other nearby lodging choices for the ideal Kenya safari tour in Buffalo Springs National Reserve include the Samburu Game Lodge, Elephant Watch Camp, Elephant Bedroom Camp, and Samburu Riverside Tented Camp, among others.
