Buffalo Springs National Reserve

Pros & Cons

• Excellent wildlife viewing
• Four of the Big Five are easily found (rhino excluded)
• Interesting mammal species restricted to the barren north
• Beautiful and arid scenery
• Excellent birding with many dry country specials
• Less busy than its sister park (Samburu) north of the river
• Limited accommodation options compared to Samburu
• Very hot and dry

Wildlife

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.

• More about Buffalo Springs' wildlife

Scenery

The reserve 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.

Weather & Climate

The temperature at Buffalo Springs tends to drop a bit at night, but otherwise it stays hot. The environment gets parched in the almost-rainless Dry season (June to September). There’s another dry spell in January and February, when the heat goes up another level. Surrounding this are two periods of storms and showers (October to December and March to May).

• More about the weather and climate

Best Time to Visit

The springs see some heavy local traffic in the Dry season (June to September), when getting a drink is the animals’ main concern. This is the best time to visit for wildlife watching. If you’re after some lovely scenery, you may want to drop by in the wetter months. This is when rain clears the air of dust, and the vegetation is beautifully lush.

• More about the best time to visit

Want to Visit Buffalo Springs NR?

• Buffalo Springs safaris and tours
• Tour operators for Buffalo Springs