Buffalo Springs National Reserve, National reserve in Isiolo County, Kenya.
Buffalo Springs is a protected area in the northern part of Kenya that extends across savannah plains with acacia cover and marshland near the Ewaso Ngiro. The terrain shifts between open grasslands and sections with denser tree clusters, while the springs provide water year-round.
The area gained protection in 1948 as part of a larger unit with Samburu and Shaba and later separated as an independent reserve with defined boundaries. The permanent water supply has made this zone an important point for herds and wildlife for a long time.
Along the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro, members of the Samburu community tend their herds and use the permanent springs to water cattle and camels. The connection between herders and river still shapes life in this dry region and shows the close relationship between people and water.
Visitors who want to explore the area should plan for early mornings or late afternoons when more animals gather near the water sources. The roads inside the protected area require a suitable vehicle, as sandy ground can become slippery after rainfall.
The three springs that give the reserve its name emerge like small oases from the dusty ground and fill basins that draw elephant herds. A green strip with marsh plants forms around these springs and stands out sharply against the surrounding dry land.
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