SAMBURU, BUFFALO SPRINGS AND SHABA NATIONAL RESERVES
A world apart from the lush green parks of the south, covering 102km2, the Samburu reserve is the most accessible of the North Eastern sanctuaries. Lying within the lands of the colourful Samburu pastoralists, relatives of the famous Masai, it contains large herds of elephant and elusive leopards. Endemic northern species are the Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Grevy’s Zebra and the shy long-necked Gerenuk. The later spends most of its time standing on two legs nibbling at the upper sections of the withered thorn trees.
Relief from the harsh equatorial sun is provided by the wide swarth of the Ewaso Nyiro River which is at its most picturesque in the reserve: broad often sluggish, and largely populated with crocodile and hippo.
Over 100 species of colourful birdlife can be easily encountered in a day’s viewing. At the nearby Buffalo Springs National Reserve, with its pools and streams of fresh water, literally thousands of sand grouse and doves together with a galaxy of smaller birds can be seen. The name is taken from an oasis of limpid crystal clear water.
The adjacent Shaba National Reserve is where the late Joy Adamson wrote her books on the rehabilitation of a leopard. The reserve’s northern border is marked by the wide sauntering flow of the Ewaso Nyiro on its way to disappear into the Lorian swamp.
This trio is a worthy introduction to an indeed colourful part of Kenya!
Location: Eastern Province, North of Nairobi
Access from Nairobi; Road 344 kms, five hour drive or daily scheduled flights
