Choosing a game reserve for any Kenyan Safari can be difficult especially with no experience to fall back on, so this article about Buffalo Springs may help you to make your mind up about where you want to go.



The name Buffalo Springs comes from an oasis which is to be found on the western edge of the game reserve.

The main reason for setting up Buffalo Springs was to protect the wildlife on the banks of the River Ewaso Ngiro.

Buffalo Springs is one of three reserves and the Buffalo and the Samburu are adjacent and only separated by river, and the third is the Shaba. The biggest is Buffalo Springs covering an area of over 130 square Kilometres, and was first opened in 1985. Buffalo and the Samburu should be considered one unit despite the river separating them.

To get to Buffalo Springs you can drive on good roads from Nairobi or fly in, and there are daily flights from Nairobi.

Within the game reserve there is a good network of roads easily passable by motor vehicle.

The main reason for visiting Buffalo Springs is the fact that with the other two reserves they make up one of the most interesting and unique places in Kenya to visit.

This is because they are all in the rough north of the country at the edge of what was known as the Northern Frontier District, and whilst they are the most remote and inaccessible of Kenya's popular reserves they are the most accessible in the Northern Frontier District. These game reserves are about 200 miles north of Nairobi.

The remoteness of Buffalo Springs, Samburu and Shaba means you will see species that are rare in Kenya, and almost impossible to see in other game reserves. Included here are species like Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, and the Beisa Oryx.

Apart from the rare species, you can expect to see cheetahs, elephant, hippos, leopards, and lion, but no rhino. There are over 350 species of birds to be found at Buffalo Springs so it is a great place for ornithologists.

If you wish to take an adventure safari to Buffalo Springs you should take in the other two game reserves as part of the Kenyan safari, and there are good camps to stay at.

The Samburu Serena Lodge is technically not in Buffalo Springs but it can only be entered from inside. Buffalo Springs Tented Lodge at the south bank of the river.

If you want to stay in Samburu or Shaba, be warned that you will need to pay to enter Buffalo Springs, and the choices are between the classical Samburu Lodge, Larsens a luxury tented camp, Samburu Intrepids Club which is a totally stilted camp. In Shaba there is the Sarova Shaba Lodge.

The great thing about the Buffalo Springs Game reserve area is the lack of tourists, and the unique game viewing. For this reason, plus the fact there are good camps it is highly recommended for at least a part of any honeymoon in Kenya.

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