Samburu

Samburu National Park, Buffalo spring & Shaba National Reserves cover an area of about 300 sq km, characterized by open savannah plains that are broken only occasionally by small rugged hills. Samburu is becoming one of the most popular game parks in Kenya after the Mara partly due to its being only 350 kilometers from Nairobi.

The game park's permanent water supply attracts a numerous number of species that can be found here. Crocodiles are a common site along the rivers, and some of the lodges leave bait to lure in the leopards. It is from these lodges that you are more likely to see a leopard than anywhere else in Kenya. The parks offer excellent bird-watching opportunities for the bird lover.

Location: Is located in Northern Kenya just north of Isiolo around the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River.

Best time to visit: Throughout the year.

Birdlife: Storks, weaver birds, marial eagle, blue legged Somali Ostrich.

Wildlife: Leopard is often sighted here as are Oryx, elephant and gazelle, plus the more unusual such as reticulated giraffe, Gravy's zebra and the blue-legged Somali ostrich. Interestingly enough, some common zebra are found at Buffalo Springs, though they do not interbreed with the Gravy's variety. Leopard is often sighted here as are Oryx, elephant and gazelle, plus the more unusual such as reticulated giraffe, Gravy's zebra and the blue-legged Somali ostrich. Interestingly enough, some common zebra are found at Buffalo Springs, though they do not interbreed with the Gravy's variety.

Access: from Nairobi by road: 344 kms (5 hours)

To do: Various wildlife species and the colorful Samburu people.

Accommodation: Several lodges.