I came to Buffalo Springs National Reserve because it was less crowded than the Maasai Mara. It sits across the Ewaso Nyiro River from Samburu. It is smaller. Easy to reach. Yet it feels wild. You see animals that live nowhere else in Kenya. That is why people come here. To see the rare and the unexpected.
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Key Points
- Buffalo Springs is less crowded and easier to access than many famous reserves, yet it still offers rare species.
- The reserve is best combined with Samburu and Shaba for a full northern Kenya safari circuit.
- Accommodation ranges from budget camping to luxury lodges, with prices from $30 to $500 per night depending on style and inclusions.
Why Visit Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Buffalo Springs National Reserve feels different from the southern parks. It is semi-arid. The ground is volcanic in places. Springs feed pools where buffalo and elephant drink.
This is where you see Grevy’s zebra with their fine pinstripes. Somali ostrich with blue legs. Gerenuk standing upright to reach branches. If you want to learn about native animals in Kenya that you can’t see elsewhere, this is the place to do it. I wrote more about that here: native animals in Kenya.
The reserve is also more relaxed than the Maasai Mara or Amboseli. Game drives feel personal. You are not surrounded by ten other safari vehicles at every lion sighting. For me, that made it worth the trip. I had an entire herd of elephants cross the road in front of me. No other trucks. Just me and them.
How to Get There
Most travelers reach Buffalo Springs by road. It’s about 6–7 hours from Nairobi, depending on traffic and road conditions. The drive is long but scenic. You pass fertile farms near Mount Kenya, climb through highland towns, and then drop down into the drier Samburu country. It feels like entering a different world once the landscape shifts from green slopes to dusty plains.
There are several practical options. Self-drivers often stop overnight near Nanyuki, which breaks up the journey and lets you stock up on supplies before heading north.
Organized safari tours usually provide a 4×4 vehicle with a driver-guide, which is almost essential given the rougher roads after Isiolo. If time is short, you can also fly directly into the nearby Samburu airstrip. Scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport take about an hour and offer spectacular views of Mount Kenya along the way.
If you’re already planning a circuit of parks in the region, you can easily combine Buffalo Springs with Meru National Park or even Mount Kenya National Park.
Many safari companies arrange multi-park itineraries, often looping Samburu, Buffalo Springs, Shaba, and Meru together. I’ve written more about the logistics of these routes in my guide on tours and safaris in Kenya.
What Makes the Reserve Unique
The landscape here is not grassland. It is dry scrub, doum palms, and acacia. The springs create oases that attract wildlife, but don’t expect endless herds like you’d see in the Mara. Instead, you’ll find smaller groups moving carefully between patches of shade and water.
In the heat of the day, animals concentrate near these pools, and that can be both rewarding and limiting. I once watched a herd of Grevy’s zebra drinking side by side with reticulated giraffes, their patterns striking against the dusty background. But on other days, the same spot looked empty for hours.
This is also prime ground for predators. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs hunt the open clearings. You might not see them every day, and some visitors leave disappointed after long drives without a big sighting. When you do find them, the moments feel raw.
On one morning drive, I followed fresh lion tracks for nearly an hour before finding the pride resting under a palm. It was thrilling, but it also reminded me that tracking predators here requires patience and luck, not just a good guide.
Where to Stay
You have choices at Buffalo Springs. Budget travelers can camp at public campsites for around $30–$50 per night if you bring your own gear. Facilities are basic—think pit latrines and no running water—and security is minimal. It keeps you close to the sounds of the bush, but I’d only recommend it if you are experienced or traveling with a reliable guide.
Mid-range lodges such as Samburu Sopa Lodge or Ashnil Samburu Lodge cost $150–$250 per night. These usually include meals, comfortable rooms, and sometimes a pool. They are good value if you want a balance of comfort and affordability, but you should be aware that service can be inconsistent, and in the hotter months air conditioning is not always available.
It’s worth asking about power availability and meal options before you book.
Luxury camps such as Elephant Bedroom Camp or Saruni Samburu go from $400 to $500+ per night. Here you get open-air tents with river views, guided game drives, and all-inclusive dining. The service and seclusion are excellent, but at this price point you’re paying for exclusivity more than dramatic differences in wildlife sightings compared to mid-range options.
If you’re deciding between options, you may want to read my thoughts on luxury safaris in Kenya.
Costs and Park Fees
Entrance fees are set by the Kenya Wildlife Service. As of now, non-resident adults pay around $70 per day and children about $40. These rates cover a full 24 hours, so it makes sense to time your entry carefully—arriving in the afternoon allows you to stretch the fee across two game drives before the ticket expires.
Vehicle fees are extra, usually $3–$10 depending on size, and while small, they can add up on longer trips with multiple parks.
Guided safaris vary widely in cost and quality. A budget camping safari might cost $150–$200 per person per day, including transport and food, but conditions can be very basic, and vehicle reliability is sometimes questionable.
Mid-range trips usually fall between $250–$400. These tend to include better vehicles, more experienced guides, and decent accommodation, though service levels can still vary a lot between operators.
Private luxury safaris can exceed $700 per day. At that price you get excellent guides, comfortable vehicles, and top-end camps, but it’s important to note that the wildlife doesn’t change—what you are paying for is comfort, exclusivity, and service, not necessarily more animals.
I’ve broken down more comparisons and trade-offs in my article on how much are safaris in Kenya.
Tips for Game Drives
The reserve can be hot, and game drives often mean long hours in the sun. Bring a hat, water, and good shoes. I’ve covered more details in my guide on clothing for safari in Kenya.
It’s also wise to bring sunscreen and expect bumpy rides—Buffalo Springs’ roads can be rough, and air-conditioned vehicles are rare.
Start early in the morning or go late in the afternoon. That’s when the animals are most active. Midday drives often mean sleepy lions and hidden elephants.
Once, I made the mistake of staying out at noon, and all I saw were distant giraffes under acacias. The next morning at 6 a.m., the same road gave me hyenas and hunting lions. This contrast shows why timing matters more here than in parks with denser wildlife.
If you’re into photography, Buffalo Springs is rewarding, but it’s not without challenges. The light in the early hours cuts through the dust, giving depth to the photos, yet that same dust can easily haze shots later in the day.
Be prepared for harsh midday glare and limited shade. I’ve shared more on this in my write-up about photographic safaris in Kenya.
Combining Buffalo Springs With Other Reserves
Buffalo Springs is often combined with Samburu National Reserve and Shaba National Reserve. Together they make a larger ecosystem. The animals move freely between the three. Staying in one does not mean you miss out on the others.
If you’re planning a longer trip through northern Kenya, you can also connect it with Laikipia National Reserve or Marsabit National Reserve. Each has its own terrain and species.
That’s part of the draw of this region—you can see dramatic shifts in landscape and culture in just a few hours of driving.
For a complete overview, I suggest starting with my guide to the best safaris in Kenya. It gives you a clear sense of which parks fit together.
Best Time to Visit
The reserve is open year-round, but conditions vary a lot with the seasons. Dry months from June to October and December to March make wildlife easier to spot because animals gather around limited water sources.
The trade-off is that the landscape can feel harsh and dusty, and temperatures can climb uncomfortably high in the afternoons. Wet seasons bring greener scenery and active birdlife, but they also turn some roads into mud traps. I’ve seen visitors get stuck for hours after heavy rains, so this is not the best time for a first-time safari unless you’re prepared for delays and challenges.
I visited in March. It was hot, and while the sightings were incredible—especially elephants at the springs—it was not easy to stay out long in the heat. If you are sensitive to sun and dust, the cooler months may be more comfortable.
I’ve written more about timing in my article on the best time for safari in Kenya. If you’re curious about March specifically, I’ve covered that too: Kenya safari in March.
Final Thoughts
Buffalo Springs National Reserve is easy to reach, yet it feels wild. It doesn’t overwhelm you with vehicles or crowds.
It gives you rare animals you won’t see in most other parts of Kenya. If you want to dig deeper into this region, I’ve written a full overview of safaris in Kenya.
