National Reserves in Isiolo
Buffalo Springs National Reserve
The 131 km2 Buffalo Springs National Reserve, abutting Samburu National Reserve and Shaba National Reserve, and forming part of Samburu Wildlife Conservation Area with these neighboring reserves, offers a rich diversity of wildlife and striking landscapes. Lying south of Samburu National Reserve, separated by the mighty Ewaso Nyiro River, the lifeline in both areas, it was established in 1948, as part of the Samburu-Isiolo Game Reserve, to safeguard the integrity of this rangeland and to perpetuate its wildlife. Its present-day boundaries were established in 1985.
Unique to both these reserves – Buffalo Springs and Samburu – is that they were the foremost reserves around Kenya to have google street view, providing virtual representation of their surroundings. These reserve is home to an impressive array of wildlife, including the epic “Samburu Special Five” – Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and gerenuk. Visitors can also spot elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and a collection of antelope species. Both reserve are famous for their population of elephants, often seen near the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
The setting of Buffalo Springs National Reserve is a mix of open savannah plains, riverine forests, and acacia woodlands. The reserve is named after an oasis of clear water, the Buffalo Springs, which is a popular spot for wildlife. The contrast between the dry, dusty plains and lush greenery along the river creates a visually stunning environment. This river is the lifeblood of the reserve, attracting a wide range of animals, especially during the dry season. The river’s banks are lined with Doum groves and dense vegetation, providing healthful habitats for many species.
Generally speaking, the vast Samburu Wildlife Conservation Area offers good game viewing. Much of its acceptable beauty arises from the wide and open untamed and unfenced frontiers. Although the elephant and rhino populations were much reduced by poaching in the 1970s, concerted efforts by both the Government and conservation counsels have turned around their fortunes. The demographic cataloger of the elephants utilizing Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves, collected from 1998 through 2003, thankfully noted that the elephant populations were increasing at an average rate of 4.6% per year.
These free-ranging elephants constitute 18% of the 5,400 elephants counted in the aerial census of 2002 within Samburu and Laikipia counties. The reserve is also involved in ongoing conservation initiatives to protect its unique wildlife and habitats. These efforts are crucial for the survival of endangered species like the Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. Game drives are the most popular way to explore Buffalo Springs, offering encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat.
Buffalo Springs National Reserve is relatively accessible by road and air, with a number of lodges and campsites located within and around the reserve. This makes it a convenient destination for visitors looking to explore the northern Kenya’s wilderness. Ashnil Samburu Camp and Samburu Simba Lodge, both along the fringes of River Ewaso Nyiro, are the popular accommodations at Buffalo Springs National Reserve. The reserve is located about 28 km north of Isiolo town.
Kenya certainly has enormous touring resources. There are no less than sixty national narks, reserves and game sanctuaries, covering approximately 11% of the land surface. Each of these diverse and stunning national parks and reserves offers unique wildlife experiences and unique, breathtaking landscapes.
Index of National Parks & Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Baringo National Reserve, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Kerio Valley National Reserve, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, Bomet County - The South Western Mau National Reserve, Busia County - Malaba Sanctuary, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Rimoi National Reserve, Embu County - Mount Kenya National Park; Irangi Forest Station, Mwea National Reserve, Garissa County - Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Arawale National Reserve, Boni National Reserve, Homa Bay County - Ruma National Park, Isiolo County - The Bisanadi National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve, Kajiado County - Amboseli National Park, Kakamega County - Kakamega National Reserve, Kilifi County - Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, Watamu Marine National Park, Malindi Marine Reserve, Kisumu County - Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Ndere Island National Park, Kitui County - Mwingi National Reserve, South Kitui National Reserve, Kwale County - Shimba Hills National Reserve, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve, Lamu County - Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine National Reserve, Machakos County - Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Makueni County - Chyulu Hills National Park, Ngai Ndethya National Reserve, Mandera County - Malka Mari National Park, Marsabit County - Losai National Reserve, South Island National Park, Marsabit National Park & Reserve, Sibiloi National Park, Meru County - Meru National Park, Mombasa County - Mombasa Marine National Reserve & Park, Nairobi County - The Nairobi National Park, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot National Park, Crescent Island Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nandi County - Bonjoge National Reserve, Narok County - Masai Mara National Reserve, Nyeri County - The Aberdare National Park, Samburu County - Samburu National Reserve, Maralal National Reserve, Siaya County - Lake Kanyaboli Reserve, Tana River County - Kora National Park, The Tana Primate National Reserve, Taita Taveta County - Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Tharaka Nithi County - Mutejwa National Reserve, Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon National Park, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Turkana County - Central Island Reserve, South Turkana Reserve, West Pokot County - Nasolot National Reserve
Isiolo County, with its strategic location, rich cultural heritage, and potential for development, is a unique region in Kenya. It features a mix of semi-arid and arid landscapes, with some areas of savannah and bushland, and home to several wildlife reserves and conservancies, including the Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve and the famed Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
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Explore Destination Near Buffalo Springs National Reserve
A Guide to Isiolo County
A Summa Digest of Isiolo
About Isiolo Way Back When
42 Destinations in Isiolo County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Isiolo Town, St. Eusebius Cathedral, Isiolo Jamia Mosque, Isiolo Memorial, Kisimani Eco Resort, Isiolo Falls, Kaita and Degushi Hills, Nyambeni Range, Magado Crater, Cave Dwellings, Harr Girrissa, Mlima Tatu, Kubi Turkana, Garba Tula, Gotu Falls, Gotu Cultural Centre, Biliqo Bulesa Conservancy, Merti Plateau, Merti Catholic Church, Ewaso Nyiro River, Lorian Swamp, Malka Cultural Centre, Bisanadi National Reserve, Kora Wells, Leparua Conservancy, Ol Lentille Conservancy, The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille, Oldonyiro Conservancy, Nantudu Spire Rock, Nasuulu Conservancy, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Buffalo Springs, Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Simba Lodge, Shaba National Reserve, Sarova Shaba Lodge, Joy’s Camp, Nakuprat Gotu Conservancy, Boji Dera Camp, Sera Conservancy, Isiolo Cultural Festival, Camping in the Great North
Know More About Isiolo County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Isiolo is almost always hot and dry at most months of year, with a mean of 30oC, and two rainy seasons. The rainfall received is historically erratic, scarce and unreliable.
Isiolo can be split into three ecological zones, semi-arid, arid and very near desert arid. The smallest, useful, semi-arid zone covers only 5% the county, around Kinna region.