Buffalo Springs National Reserve

Buffalo Springs National Reserve

Samburu, and Shaba are a trio of similar, adjoining reserves. Buffalo Springs offers good wildlife viewing of most big safari animals and is particularly renowned for its excellent leopard sightings.

Samburu pastoralists live a semi-nomadic lifestyle on the peripheries of the reserve and a visit to a traditional homestead is highly recommended.

Wildlife and Animals 

Regarding the Big Five, elephants are particularly abundant, and leopard sightings are very reliable. There are no rhinos, and lion sightings are a bit hit-and-miss, but it is the northern Kenya dry-country specials that attract many visitors. They include beisa oryx, lesser kudu, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, and the odd-looking gerenuk.

Scenery

The reserve certainly  protects a tract of semi-arid savannah flanking the scenic Ewaso Nyero River. The ecology is defined by contrasting habitats of riverine forest along the watercourse, and dry acacia scrub dotted with termite mounds extending away from it. The springs, after which the reserve has been named, are a scenic landmark and attract a steady stream of thirsty animals.

Wildlife & Animals – Buffalo Springs National Reserve

There are decent wildlife densities in Buffalo Springs, and most safari animals can be spotted in a couple of days. Several habituated leopards make their home in the reserve and can be relied on for great sightings. Rhinos are absent, but elephants are plentiful, and there is a good variety of antelopes, including both the greater and lesser kudu.

Wildlife Highlights

Several dry-country adapted mammals that don’t occur in most Kenyan parks can also be found here. The reticulated giraffe with its striking pattern is common. Beisa oryx well adapted to arid conditions. The gerenuk, with its elongated neck, is able to stand on its hind legs and nibble hard-to-reach leaves. Best Time for Wildlife 

Buffalo Springs  visited throughout the year, but the best wildlife viewing is in the Dry season from June to October. At this time, the vegetation is minimal and animals congregate around predictable water sources. April is the wettest month, and wildlife viewing can sometimes be more challenging at this time.

Bird watching Safaris

Together, Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves have over 390 bird species recorded. The dry, open country offers very rewarding birding opportunities. The area holds a number of northeast African dry-country species that are shared with Ethiopia and Somalia. Some of the heavyweights to look out for are Somali ostrich, vulturine guineafowl, and Abyssinian ground hornbill. This area is also great to see the unusual Egyptian vulture.

Best Time for Bird Watching

Buffalo Springs is certainly a bird-watching utopia and produces good birding year-round. Bird watching is exceptional because many unusual, dry-country specials are here all of the time. The birding only gets better when the migratory birds check-in from November to April. The short and long rains peak during November and April, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.

 Best Time to Visit

However, wildlife viewing in Buffalo Springs is superior in the dry months, from June to October and December to March.

Weather & Climate

Buffalo Springs has a hot and dry climate. Nights are usually cool. The average daytime temperature is 32°C/90°F, while the average nighttime temperature is 16°C/61°F. It is also advisable to take warm clothing for early morning game drives. The annual rainfall is low, but peaks in April and November.

Dry season –June to September

Days are sunny and hot. It is very dry, and there is almost no rain at all.

June & July – It is hot and sunny. Afternoon temperatures are around 32°C/90°F.

August & September – Daytime temperatures increase before the rain breaks. The average temperature in September is 33°C/88°F, but the peaks are much higher.

Wet season –October to May

The Wet season sees the ‘short rains’ followed by the ‘long rains’. In between is a dry period during the months of January and February. Road conditions can deteriorate in April and May.

October, November & December – The rains usually break sometime in October. November is a peak month for rainfall.  The average daytime temperature is 32°C/90°F.

January & February – This is a dry spell between the short and long rains. The exact timing is unpredictable. February is the hottest month, with average afternoon temperatures of 34°C/93°F and higher peaks.

March, April & May – The long rains usually break mid- to late-March. It seldom rains all day, but short, afternoon showers expected. April is the wettest month. Afternoon temperatures are around 33°C/91°F.

Getting There

Buffalo Springs is located 355km/220mi north of Nairobi. You can certainly drive to the reserve from Nairobi or another park depending on your itinerary.

Most visitors from Europe or North America flying to Kenya choose to arrive in Nairobi, as this is the biggest transport hub. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is located 15km/9mi southeast of Nairobi. Moi International Airport (MBA) is Kenya’s second international airport and is located 9km/6mi west of Mombasa.

Malaria & Safety – Buffalo Springs National Reserve

In our opinion, Buffalo Springs is a very safe destination to visit. Developed parks and reserves in Kenya do not usually have problems with crime. If you are driving yourself to Buffalo Springs, read the advice below on ‘Cities and Other Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ to familiarize yourself with possible issues between the parks.

Malaria & Vaccinations

The main concern when traveling in Kenya is malaria. Precautions against malaria include taking antimalarials and covering up in the evening. Also remember to use a mosquito repellent (those containing DEET are most effective). Malaria risk is worst in the peaks of the rainy seasons from April to May and October to November. Seek advice from your healthcare professional about antimalarials and vaccinations.

Wildlife Viewing

Incidents with wild animals are very rare – listen to the instructions given by your guide. Remember that the behavior of wild animals is unpredictable, so observe safety precautions.

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We believe in value for money. Every guest would like to have the most reliable and comfortable vehicles on safari. In response to the clients’ needs, we have a very strict vehicle replacement policy that ensures a young fleet at all times. We have a total fleet of 225 well-maintained motor vehicles, predominantly 4-wheel drives. This does away with the problem of sub-contracting vehicles and driver-guides, which may compromise the quality of services. Our safari vehicles are specifically converted for maximum space and comfort. All of them have hatched roof and sliding windows to facilitate good viewing and convenient photography during game drives and sight seeing.