Buffalo Springs National Reserve is the reserve half of every Samburu itinerary that rarely gets its own name check, sitting directly across the Ewaso Nyiro River from Samburu National Reserve itself and sharing the same dramatic volcanic landscape, crystal-clear natural springs and dry-country wildlife. Established in 1948 as part of the original Samburu-Isiolo Game Reserve before its present boundaries were set in 1985, this 131 square kilometre reserve holds its own strong populations of Grant’s zebra, the endangered Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and over 365 recorded bird species. Sense of Adventure itineraries built around Samburu routinely cross into Buffalo Springs without guests always realising they have changed reserves.
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The Reserve Most Guests Never Realise They Are In
Buffalo Springs sits on the southern bank of the Ewaso Nyiro River, directly across from Samburu National Reserve, sharing the same rolling volcanic plains, olivine basalt lava flows and Commiphora bushland that define this whole ecosystem, along with a narrow band of riverine forest studded with Doum Palm and towering Acacia elatior. Because guides frequently cross the river between the two reserves on the same game drive, following wildlife rather than administrative boundaries, many guests leave without ever realising they spent part of their day in an entirely separate reserve with its own management and its own name. The springs that give the reserve its name are genuinely crystal clear, a striking contrast against the surrounding red volcanic soil.
We only found out on the last day that half our game drives had actually crossed into a completely different reserve called Buffalo Springs, something our guide mentioned almost in passing. It genuinely surprised us that two separate, named protected areas could blend together this seamlessly on the ground.
— Sense of Adventure guest, Samburu Cultural & Wildlife Experience
6 Facts About Buffalo Springs
1. Established Alongside Samburu in 1948
Buffalo Springs began as part of the original Samburu-Isiolo Game Reserve, only becoming its own defined reserve with present boundaries set in 1985.
2. Named for Genuinely Crystal-Clear Springs
The natural springs that give the reserve its name stand out sharply against the surrounding red volcanic soil and lava-flow landscape.
3. Home to Both Zebra Species
Buffalo Springs hosts both the common Grant’s zebra and the far rarer, endangered Grevy’s zebra, distinguished by its narrower stripes and larger ears.
4. A Genuine Riverine Forest Strip
Along the Ewaso Nyiro River, a narrow band of riverine forest includes Doum Palm and Tana River Poplar, a sharp contrast to the surrounding dry bushland.
5. Predators Move Freely Across the River
Lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena all cross regularly between Buffalo Springs and Samburu, treating the two reserves as one continuous hunting ground.
6. Almost Always Booked as Part of Samburu
Very few itineraries visit Buffalo Springs on its own; it is almost always experienced as one half of a combined Samburu-area safari.
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Buffalo Springs: Quick Reference
- Size: 131 square kilometres.
- Location: south bank of the Ewaso Nyiro River, across from Samburu.
- Established: 1948 as part of the original Samburu-Isiolo reserve, current boundaries since 1985.
- Signature wildlife: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, oryx, gerenuk.
- Birdlife: over 365 recorded species.
- How it is usually visited: combined with Samburu National Reserve.
Planning Your Samburu Ecosystem Safari
Buffalo Springs is best understood as part of the wider Samburu ecosystem rather than a separate trip. Our Samburu National Reserve Safari Guide covers the full picture across both reserves.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Buffalo Springs and Samburu National Reserve?
Buffalo Springs and Samburu National Reserve sit on opposite banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, sharing the same ecosystem and wildlife but managed as two separate reserves, often visited together on the same itinerary.
What wildlife can I see in Buffalo Springs?
Buffalo Springs is home to Grant’s and Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, oryx, gerenuk, elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and over 365 recorded bird species.
When was Buffalo Springs National Reserve established?
Buffalo Springs began in 1948 as part of the original Samburu-Isiolo Game Reserve, with its current defined boundaries established in 1985.
Can I visit Buffalo Springs separately from Samburu?
While technically possible, Buffalo Springs is almost always visited as part of a combined Samburu-area itinerary, since guides typically cross between both reserves on the same game drives.
Why are the springs in Buffalo Springs significant?
The reserve’s namesake springs are genuinely crystal clear, standing out sharply against the surrounding red volcanic soil and old lava flows that define much of the landscape.
