The Samburu Complex

Just north of Isiolo, and off the beaten minibus safari track, are three national reserves grouped together, Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. The reserves stretch along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and cover an area of about 300 km². Although it is not far from the Mt Kenya foothills, the geography here is vastly different, with desert scrub and savannah plains.

The tree-lined river is permanent and attracts a lot of game. You are almost guaranteed to see elephant here, but unfortunately rhino have long been wiped out by poachers. The river also attracts buffalo, reticulated giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion, warthogs and grevy's zebra and you may spot a crocodile sunning on the banks.

There is also stunning birdlife. The Samburu complex is also home to Samburu herdsmen, who can be seen driving their herds through the dust, dressed in striking red blankets and carrying spears. Even though the reserves are continuous, you will have to pay to enter each one if you move from one to the other.

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