Off the Beaten Track!
Off the Beaten Track!
Off the Beaten Track!
Looking for a quieter safari in northern Kenya with excellent wildlife and fewer crowds than the Masai Mara? Buffalo Springs National Reserve offers a classic savannah safari experience in one of Kenya’s most scenic and less-visited regions.
Buffalo Springs National Reserve lies in northern Kenya near Isiolo, forming part of the Samburu ecosystem along the Northern Kenya Safari Circuit. The reserve sits on the southern bank of the Ewaso Nyiro River, directly opposite Samburu National Reserve, creating one continuous wildlife landscape.
The reserve is managed by the Isiolo County Government, working alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and surrounding community conservancies to protect wildlife in the region.
The landscape consists of open savannah, doum palm groves, volcanic hills and riverine forest, creating a striking contrast to Kenya’s southern safari parks.
Buffalo Springs is renowned for its excellent wildlife viewing and dramatic northern landscapes.
The reserve forms part of the famous “Samburu Special Five” habitat, home to species rarely seen in southern Kenya:
Grevy’s zebra
Reticulated giraffe
Somali ostrich
Beisa oryx
Gerenuk
Predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah are regularly spotted, while the Ewaso Nyiro River attracts elephants and other wildlife throughout the year.
The scenery is also distinctive, with golden plains dotted with doum palms and volcanic outcrops, creating a classic northern Kenya atmosphere.
With Gemfinders Safaris, Buffalo Springs becomes part of a carefully designed northern Kenya itinerary.
Private safaris allow flexible game drives across both Buffalo Springs and neighboring Samburu, maximizing wildlife viewing opportunities while avoiding crowded vehicles. Our guides understand the local terrain and wildlife patterns, helping you explore this remote ecosystem more deeply.
Buffalo Springs offers one of Kenya’s most rewarding wildlife safari experiences outside the country’s busiest parks.
Game drives follow the Ewaso Nyiro River and open plains where elephants, antelope and giraffes move through the landscape. The reserve is particularly good for photography, with wide-open views and dramatic desert-like scenery.
Because of its location in northern Kenya, wildlife species differ from the Masai Mara and other southern parks. This makes Buffalo Springs ideal for travelers wanting to see rare northern species and unique ecosystems.
The reserve also offers excellent birding safaris, with over 350 recorded bird species including kingfishers, bee-eaters and raptors.
Buffalo Springs works especially well for:
Wildlife enthusiasts seeking rarer northern species
Photographers drawn to dramatic landscapes
Travelers looking for quieter safari destinations
Luxury or mid-range safari travelers exploring northern Kenya
It is also ideal for visitors who have already experienced Kenya’s southern parks and want something different.
Buffalo Springs is usually combined with other destinations along the Northern Kenya Safari Circuit.
Popular itineraries include:
Buffalo Springs + Samburu National Reserve
Buffalo Springs + Ol Pejeta Conservancy + Aberdare National Park
Buffalo Springs + Laikipia Conservancies
These combinations create diverse wildlife experiences across the Kenya Safaris hub and northern safari landscapes.
Most travelers spend 2–3 nights in the Samburu ecosystem, split between Buffalo Springs and Samburu National Reserve.
This allows enough time for multiple game drives and the chance to spot the Samburu Special Five along with large predator populations.
Buffalo Springs offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year, though conditions vary seasonally.
June – October: Dry season with excellent wildlife visibility
January – March: Another dry window with strong predator activity
April – May & November: Green seasons with lush landscapes and good birding
Because the Ewaso Nyiro River provides a permanent water source, wildlife remains active even during dry months.
Accommodation around Buffalo Springs ranges from comfortable safari lodges to luxury tented camps.
Typical options include:
Budget: Samburu Riverside Camp
Mid-range: Samburu Simba Lodge
Luxury: Elephant Bedroom Camp or Ashnil Samburu Camp
Many camps are located along the river, offering frequent wildlife sightings near camp.
Buffalo Springs is accessible by both road and air from Nairobi.
Drive: Approximately 5–6 hours from Nairobi via Nanyuki and Isiolo
Flight: Around 1 hour from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Samburu airstrips
Many travelers choose fly-in safaris for comfort, especially when combining multiple northern destinations.
A safari in Buffalo Springs feels remote, raw and authentic — where wildlife moves across wide northern plains beneath endless skies.
Your itinerary can easily be tailored — extend nights, add Samburu conservancies, continue to Laikipia, or combine northern parks with the Masai Mara or Amboseli.
Browse the safari itineraries below to see how Buffalo Springs National Reserve fits into curated Kenya safari journeys.
Buffalo Springs National Reserve offers quieter northern Kenya safari experiences across volcanic plains and riverine forests, with northern “Special Five” wildlife and strong birding. Often combined with Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Aberdare or Meru on private itineraries.
