Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Encyclopedia
Buffalo Springs National Reserve is a protected area in the Isiolo District
of Eastern Province
, in northern Kenya
.
Most operators of Kenyan safaris offer a visit to the reserve, which has several Safari Lodges and safari camps.
, which lies on the other side of the Ewaso Ngiro river. It is named after an oasis of clear water at its western end.
The reserve has an area of 131 square kilometres (50.6 sq mi), and is at an altitude of between 850 metres (2,788.7 ft) and 1230 metres (4,035.4 ft) above sea level.
It is a gently rolling lowland plain of old lava flows and volcanic soils of olivine basalt. The main feature is the Champagne Ride in the southeast, an ancient lava-terrace.
The climate is hot, dry and semi-arid.
and magnificent specimens of Acacia elatior.
Vegetation includes acacia tortilis
woodland and large stretches of bushland dominated by Commiphora
.
In some areas lava rock is exposed, with scattered grass and shrubs.
Other parts have alkaline grasslands with occasional springs and swamps.
Here and there the "Desert Rose" (Adenium obesum
) is found in the scrub, with bright pink blooms.
The Salvadora persica
(tooth-brush tree) shrub provides food to elephants, and its twigs are used as toothbrushes by the nomadic Samburu people.
.
Other species of mammal include reticulated giraffe, elephant, oryx, gerenuk, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena.
Over 365 species of bird have been recorded in the reserve.
The river is home to hippos and crocodiles.
Somali ostriches are widespread, larger than the Maasai ostrich and distinctive for their indigo legs and neck.
Isiolo District
Isiolo District is an administrative district inEastern Province of Kenya. Its population is 100.861 , and its capital is Isiolo town. Isiolo District is to be the first district to be developed as part of the Kenya Vision 2030 program....
of Eastern Province
Eastern Province (Kenya)
The Eastern Province of Kenya is one of seven regions of the country. Its northern boundary is with Ethiopia; the North Eastern Province and Coast Province lie to the east and south; and the remainder of Kenya's provinces, including Central Province, run along its western border. The provincial...
, in northern Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
.
Organization
The reserve was established in 1948 as part of the Samburu - Isiolo Game Reserve, and the present boundaries were established in 1985. The reserve is managed by the Isiolo County Council.Most operators of Kenyan safaris offer a visit to the reserve, which has several Safari Lodges and safari camps.
Location
The Buffalo Springs National Reserve is south of the Samburu National ReserveSamburu National Reserve
The Samburu National Reserve is located on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river in Kenya; on the other side of the river is the Buffalo Springs National Reserve in Northern Kenya. It is 165 km² in size and 350 kilometers from Nairobi and ranges in altitude from 800 to 1230m above sea level...
, which lies on the other side of the Ewaso Ngiro river. It is named after an oasis of clear water at its western end.
The reserve has an area of 131 square kilometres (50.6 sq mi), and is at an altitude of between 850 metres (2,788.7 ft) and 1230 metres (4,035.4 ft) above sea level.
It is a gently rolling lowland plain of old lava flows and volcanic soils of olivine basalt. The main feature is the Champagne Ride in the southeast, an ancient lava-terrace.
The climate is hot, dry and semi-arid.
Flora
There is a narrow band of riverine forest along the Ewaso Ngiro which includes Tana River Poplar, Doum PalmDoum palm
Hyphaene thebaica, with common names doum palm and gingerbread tree, is a type of palm tree with edible oval fruit. It is native to the Nile valley in Egypt and Sudan, and in riverine areas of northwestern Kenya.-Uses:...
and magnificent specimens of Acacia elatior.
Vegetation includes acacia tortilis
Acacia tortilis
Acacia tortilis, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia, also known as Umbrella Thorn and Israeli Babool, is a medium to large canopied tree native primarily to the savanna and Sahel of Africa , but also occurring in the Middle East....
woodland and large stretches of bushland dominated by Commiphora
Commiphora
Commiphora is a genus of flowering plants in the family Burseraceae. It includes about 185 species of trees and shrubs, often armed or thorny, native to Africa, Arabia, and the Indian subcontinent.-Uses:...
.
In some areas lava rock is exposed, with scattered grass and shrubs.
Other parts have alkaline grasslands with occasional springs and swamps.
Here and there the "Desert Rose" (Adenium obesum
Adenium obesum
Adenium obesum is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that is native to the Sahel regions, south of the Sahara , and tropical and subtropical eastern and southern Africa and Arabia...
) is found in the scrub, with bright pink blooms.
The Salvadora persica
Salvadora persica
Salvadora persica , is a species of Salvadora....
(tooth-brush tree) shrub provides food to elephants, and its twigs are used as toothbrushes by the nomadic Samburu people.
Fauna
Wildlife include the common zebra and the endangered Grevy's ZebraGrevy's Zebra
The Grévy's zebra , also known as the Imperial zebra, is the largest extant wild equid and one of three species of zebra, the other two being the plains zebra and the mountain zebra. Named after Jules Grévy, it is the sole extant member of the subgenus Dolichohippus. The Grévy's zebra is found in...
.
Other species of mammal include reticulated giraffe, elephant, oryx, gerenuk, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena.
Over 365 species of bird have been recorded in the reserve.
The river is home to hippos and crocodiles.
Somali ostriches are widespread, larger than the Maasai ostrich and distinctive for their indigo legs and neck.