Samburu, Shaba & Buffalo Springs

Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba Reserves lie in an arid region in the remote north of Kenya on the banks of the palm-lined Ewaso Nyiro River. Elsa the lioness, made famous in the film Born Free, was raised at Shaba game reserve where George and Joy Adamson raised it.

The wildlife here depends on the waters of the river to survive, and many species have adapted to the harsh conditions. Namely: Grevy’s zebras; Somali ostriches; and gerenuks, the long-necked antelope that stand on two rear legs to reach the fresh shoots on upper tree limbs.

The Samburu National Reserve is well known for the Sarara Singing Wells, local watering holes where Samburu warriors sing traditional songs while hauling water for their cattle to drink. Big cats and wild dogs are sighted occasionally.