Information
Landmark: Buffalo Springs National ReserveCity: Isiolo
Country: Kenya
Continent: Africa
Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Isiolo, Kenya, Africa
Overview
In northern Kenya’s Isiolo County, Buffalo Springs National Reserve spreads out in a patchwork of landscapes, from sunlit savannahs to winding, sandy riverbanks.This reserve offers a rare mix of sun-baked semi-arid plains, thriving wildlife, and lush riverbanks where the water glints in the afternoon light.Visitors can explore Kenya’s iconic wildlife in a quieter, more secluded corner, far from the crowds that fill the country’s famous parks, where the only sound might be the rustle of grass in the wind.Buffalo Springs sits just south of the Ewaso Nyiro River, its muddy waters marking the natural divide from the Samburu National Reserve to the north.Spanning 131 square kilometers, the reserve gives wildlife room to roam-deer slip through quiet pines, and birds wheel overhead.The reserve sits about 355 kilometers north of Nairobi, roughly a five to six-hour drive from the capital, with dusty roads stretching past acacia trees along the way.Isiolo is the closest town, sitting just 17 km from the reserve’s entrance, where the dusty road begins to narrow.You can reach it quickly by road from nearby spots like Samburu National Reserve and Shaba National Reserve, making it part of a wider wildlife circuit where the dust smells of acacia and adventure.Back in 1948, Buffalo Springs National Reserve took shape as part of a drive to safeguard northern Kenya’s wildlife, from the rustle of antelope in the grass to the distant calls of hornbills.Close to other key reserves like Samburu and Shaba, it anchors a vital stretch of the wildlife corridor, where elephants and antelope pass through on their long, dusty treks across the wider ecosystem.The reserve takes its name from Buffalo Springs, a natural spring at its western edge where herds and flocks crowd the banks to drink.Wildlife thrives here, from the flash of a darting kingfisher to rare animals few ever see.From the cool shade of riverbank forests to the sunlit sweep of open savannah and thorny acacia scrub, these varied landscapes teem with countless birds and animals.Mammals: Elephants - Large herds roam the reserve, often gathering by the Ewaso Nyiro River where their trunks splash in the muddy water.Lions prowl the reserve, sharing the open grass and dusty trails with leopards and swift, spotted cheetahs.The reticulated giraffe, its coat traced with sharp, net-like lines, stands as one of the region’s most iconic animals.Grevy’s zebra, a rare species with narrow black-and-white stripes, roams the open plains of Buffalo Springs and teeters on the brink of extinction.Buffaloes give the reserve its name, and you’ll spot them grazing quietly across wide stretches of sunlit grass.Nile crocodiles lurk along the Ewaso Nyiro’s muddy banks, basking in the sun and slipping into the water at the slightest splash.With more than 390 species recorded in the reserve, birdwatchers might spot the towering Somali ostrich, the sharp-eyed Egyptian vulture, and a colorful array of hornbills and sunbirds flitting through the trees.Reptiles and amphibians thrive here-besides crocodiles, you’ll spot lizards basking on warm rocks, tortoises ambling along, and frogs calling near the water’s edge.Buffalo Springs is largely made up of sun-baked savannah grasslands, where acacia trees cast thin shadows over the dry earth, and each patch of vegetation shelters its own mix of wildlife.These plains teem with grazing herds, and the predators shadow them, silent as dusk.Along the Ewaso Nyiro River, pockets of riverine forest thrive-dense green undergrowth tangled beneath swaying palms and towering acacias.During the dry season, these spots become vital for wildlife, offering cool shade and a place to drink.At the reserve’s western edge, a clear spring spills into a shady patch of green, creating a lifeline for wildlife when the dry season grips the land.The spring spills into the river, drawing deer to its banks and herons to its clear, rippling water.At Buffalo Springs National Reserve, visitors can set out on safari drives through dusty trails or dive into rich cultural experiences with the locals.Game drives are the star of the show, taking visitors deep into the reserve to spot wildlife-maybe a lion stretched out in the shade or giraffes moving slowly across the grass.You’ll get the best game drives in the cool glow of early morning or the golden stretch before sunset, when the animals are on the move.Bird watching: Buffalo Springs bursts with life, from bright kingfishers skimming the river to eagles circling high above, making it a true paradise for bird lovers.Along the riverbanks, you might catch sight of bright kingfishers darting over the water, while in the open savannah, hawks circle lazily overhead.Cultural Tours: The Samburu, who live nearby, welcome visitors to share their traditions-stories told by the fire, the rhythm of their dances, and the daily ways of life they’ve kept for generations.Plenty of lodges and camps will set up a trip to a nearby Samburu village, where you might hear the rhythmic clang of cowbells as you arrive.Walking safaris let you get up close to the wild-hear the crunch of dry grass underfoot and feel the sun on your shoulders.On these guided safaris, you can get right up near the reserve’s wildlife and wildflowers, hearing the rustle of leaves as a deer slips past.Photography: Towering cliffs, rustling grass, and roaming herds create perfect shots for amateurs and pros alike.Soft gold spills across the landscape in the first light of dawn and again at dusk, giving wildlife photographers their best shot of the day.You won’t find lodges inside Buffalo Springs Reserve, but you can choose from several places to stay in and around Isiolo, or in the neighboring reserves where evenings often carry the scent of acacia wood smoke.Samburu Simba Lodge sits at the reserve’s edge, offering cozy rooms and a clear view of the slow, brown sweep of the Ewaso Nyiro River.Ashnil Samburu Camp sits just outside Samburu National Reserve, blending luxury tents with modern comforts-think crisp white linens and hot showers under the open sky.Sarova Shaba Game Lodge sits just minutes from Buffalo Springs, offering elegant rooms with crisp white linens right in the heart of the Shaba Reserve.Local guesthouses offer a cheaper stay, with options in Isiolo and dotted along the road to the reserve, some marked by bright blue doors and shaded verandas.Buffalo Springs has a semi-arid climate-dry air, plenty of sunshine, and rains that come only now and then.Most of the year stays hot and bone-dry, with the heat climbing to about 35°C (95°F) and the air shimmering in the sun.Rain usually sweeps in from April to June, then returns in November and lingers into December, drumming steadily on tin roofs.From July to October, the dry season draws animals to the few remaining waterholes, so it’s the perfect time to spot them.The best time to go is during the dry season, from June to October, when the skies stay clear and paths are firm underfoot.During this season, the reserve gets less rain, and wildlife drifts toward the springs and rivers, where you might catch sight of zebras drinking in the early light.Driving to Buffalo Springs from Nairobi takes about five to six hours-roughly 355 kilometers-passing dry plains and the occasional roadside market along the way.The tarmac stretches right up to Isiolo, and from there it’s just a quick drive to the reserve’s gate, with dust kicking up behind the tires.You can fly every day from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Isiolo-small planes lift off under the bright morning sun and land less than an hour later.Isiolo’s just a quick drive from the reserve, barely long enough to notice the dust kicking up behind you.Visitor Safety Tip: Buffalo Springs is usually safe, but stick to marked paths-especially if you’re wandering near the river or exploring deeper into the reserve.Hire a local guide and you’ll see more than just the sights-they’ll point out hidden alleyways, tell stories the maps never mention, and bring the place to life.
