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On Safari with Samburu Warriors in Northern Kenya >
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Next to
Samburu National Reserve is
Buffalo Springs National Reserve – an
equally attractive game reserve. Buffalo Springs occupies an area of
about 220 square kilometers. The two game reserves share the same
ecosystem and are separated by the Ewaso Ngiro River. Buffalo Springs
National Reserve is named after an oasis of limpid crystal clear water
at the western end of the sanctuary.
Buffalo Springs National
Reserve is situated to the south of Samburu National Park and hosts a
wide array of wildlife that include both the common and Grevy's zebras.
The two zebra cousins do not interbreed and are a great attraction to
the reserve's visitors. An unexplained phenomenon here involves the
presence of the common Zebra in Buffalo Springs and the absence of the
species in the Samburu, situated just across the river.
A stone
throw away from Buffalo Springs, placed to the east of the road linking
Isiolo with Marsabit, is Shaba National Reserve. Also called “Born Free
Country”, Shaba takes its name from a massive cone of volcanic rock
that dominates the region. The rock towers 1,525 metres high on the
border of the reserve and it is here that the famous conservationist
Joy Adamson tamed a lioness.
Animals commonly seen in the 220
square kilometer reserve include Grevy's Zebra, buffalos, oryx, grant
gazelles, elephants, lions, cheetahs and waterbucks. A majority of
these animals can be spotted towards the northern boundary of Shaba
National Reserve hovering around the Ewaso Ngiro River.
The
towering doum palms which can be seen swaying leisurely mark the course
of Ewaso Ngiro River while providing shade to these wonderful animals.
In addition to Ewaso Ngiro, the reserve has four springs that make it
better watered than either Buffalo Springs or Samburu. Shaba therefore
supports plenty of game and birdlife.
Neighbouring Samburu and
Shamba reserves is Laikipia Plateau Reserve, an impressive game viewing
safari destination in Kenya. Laikipia Plateau, spanning 8,000 square
kilometers, has an enviable array of wildlife comprising the largest
elephant populations in East Africa (over 3,000), buffaloes, elands,
grevy's zebras (70% of the world's population), bushbucks, cheetah,
elusive leopard and lion. The reserve is managed by the Kenya Wildlife
Service.
The Laikipia reserve is one of the remaining refuges
of the endangered Jackson's Hartebeest and hosts half of Kenya's Black
Rhinos, in addition to the largest population elephants outside the
national parks of Kenya. Wildlife population densities in the Laikipia
region now rank second to the widely acclaimed Maasai Mara ecosystem,
while the diversity of large mammals is higher than in any other part
of Kenya.
The reserve is indeed scenic with an escarpment
giving way to dramatic wooded gorges and tangled riverine thickets.
This breathtaking landscape inspired Kuki Gallman to write the famous
book entitled 'I Dreamed of Africa' that recounts her life in Laikipia.
Unfortunately, Laikipia has remained unknown to many tourists
despite being a great wild safari destination in Kenya. This is perhaps
because all the accommodation is on private land -where you are treated
more like a house guest than a tourist; but it comes at a cost.
Some
of the
safari lodges in Laikipia include Lewa Tented Camp, Mount Kenya
Safari Club, Borana Lodge, Naro Moro River Lodge and Ol Pajeta Lodge
among many others. At each of these lodges friendly residents bewitch
visitors with their thrilling stories of adventures and misadventures
in the wild.
A wide range of activities are on offer at the
lodges throughout the region. These include: game drives, nature walks,
camel and donkey safaris, fly-fishing, mountaineering and climbing,
birdwatching, wildlife viewing, cultural visits, horse riding, golf,
swimming and tennis.
Since its opening in October 1991, Laikipia
Plateau Reserve has continued to be Kenya's most exclusive destination
due to its important ecosystem with large wildlife populations, and
the fact that the plateau is home to more endangered species than
anywhere else in East Africa.
With over two hundred bird
species, Laikipia is a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. An
incredible array of bird life is visible in and around the lodges at
all times of the year. Habitual birders as well as those with only a
passing interest will find the birds quite fascinating. Bird walks
along the Ewaso Nyiro and Ewaso Narok rivers are highly recommended.
The
warm dry season that runs from July to October is best for game viewing
and birdwatching. The long hot and humid rainy period starts around
April and lasts until June. The short rains come during the warm months
of November and December. January through to March is generally hot and
dry.
Laikipia can be reached by road from Nanyuki, Baringo,
Eldoret or Isiolo. Since the area consists of ranches, most roads
therein are private and it is important for visitors to make transport
inquires in advance. Those wishing to fly to Laikipia can take
advantage of daily scheduled flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to
Nanyuki, with connecting flights to Lewa, Mara and Samburu.
Help and More Information on Kenya Travel
Intending to go on a
Kenya safari?
Contact us
today and we will assist you in picking and booking the best hotel and
flight, and all
your travel arrangements in Northern Kenya, and other parts of the country.
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