Samburu & Buffalo Springs N.P. Travel Guide

Samburu and Buffalo Springs are small parks, measuring 300 square km together. They hold a large variety of landscapes, however, ranging from savanna and hills to the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. It also has some of the most unique wildlife in Kenya, like the reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra, as well as plenty of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Some say Samburu/Buffalo Springs is the best park in Kenya because of the sites and the fact that it isn’t crowded with tourists. I say it’s definitely one of the best 3 in the country. One unfortunate thing is that these reserves are separate ad require separate park fees, although they are much the same. If you want to visit both, do it in two separate days. You either need your own vehicle or you need to book a safari with a tourist company to visit the reserves.

To get there, go through Embu and Meru to Isiolo, or go around the northern side of Mt. Kenya, through Nanyuki to Isiolo. The reserves are just a few km north of Isiolo.

If you choose to stay in Buffalo Springs, there are 4 public camp sites near the Gare Mara gate. They’re not completely safe, however, so pack up you belongings and take them with you on game drives. The only lodge is Buffalo Springs Tented Lodge (# (0165) 2234) in the north eastern part of the reserve. In the high season tents and cottages cost US$ 120/160 for singles/doubles with full board. In the low season prices drop to US$ 50/90.

In Samburu, there are public camp sites near the Samburu Lodge, and two special camp sites further west. There are four expensive lodges in the reserved. Samburu Lodge (# (02) 540780) has singles/doubles with half board for US$ 100/153. In low season rates are US$ 39/78. Also try the Samburu Intrepids Club (# (02) 335208) which runs US$ 121/183 for singles/doubles with full board.