Buffalo Springs Game Reserve, Kenya

(Buffalo Springs National Reserve is located in the Eastern Province 85 Kilometers North of Mount Kenya and about 355 Kilometers from Nairobi approximately 4.5 hours by road)

Buffalo Springs National Reserve

Buffalo Springs National Reserve; Buffalo Springs National Reserve is located in the Eastern province 85 kilometers North of Mount Kenya and about 355 km from Nairobi approximately 4.5 hours by road. Buffalo Springs National Reserve is separated from the Samburu National Reserve by the Uaso Nyiro River and lies 9 kilometers West of Shaba National Reserve. Buffalo Springs National Reserve takes its name from an oasis of crystal clear water at the western end of the reserve. It is reported that in the Second World War an Italian bomber mistook Buffalos for humans and blew a crater creating a large spring hence was called Buffalo Springs. The Buffalo Springs are permanent and provide drinking water for the wild animals and residents of the nearby town called Archer's Post.

Buffalo Springs National Reserve is managed by the Samburu County Council. Buffalo Springs National Reserve offers unique vista of rounded hills and undulating plains. The mix of wood and grassland with riverine forest and swamp is home to a wide variety of animals and birdlife. The vegetation of Buffalo Springs Nature Reserve consists of doum palm and acacia riverine forest and further from the river acacia woodland interspersed with areas of scrub and grasslands.

Buffalo Springs National Reserve Wildlife

Buffalo Springs National Reserve arid terrain supports many desert adapted animals and species found in northern Kenya and other adjoining countries, different to those species found in the countries' more frequently visited parks further south. The river areas have good populations of crocodile and hippo and for keen birders there are nearly 400 species. Buffalo Springs National Reserve harbors remarkable species of birds. The demure guinea fowls, the helmeted and vulturine guinea fowls, the majestic sand grouse and the gentle doves will convey the unruffled air that is associated with the park. A herd of Grevy’s zebra and a band of elegant reticulated giraffes can be seen nibbling at the dew filled undergrowth early in the morning. Herds of elephants, Ground squirrels, Oryx, Somali ostriches, hippopotamus, crocodiles, gerenuks, buffaloes, lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas all live side by side each weary of their place in the food chain.

Buffalo Springs National Reserve Seasons

Buffalo Springs National Reserve can be visited all year round. Temperatures range from 30ºC during hottest months to 20ºC between July and September. Annual rainfalls range between 100mm to 300mm on average usually divided into two seasons, short rains in October/ November and long rains between February and May. Activities include game viewing safari, nature walks, entertainment by pastoralist cultural dancers, and visits to cultural villages to get the experience of nomadic lifestyle in the community.