|
Itinerary for [ 7
Days ] [ 8 Days ] [ 13
Days ] [ 21 Days ]
This is a Reserve rather than a National Park and it belongs to
the Masai people
Samburu National Reserve. When you see a camel train walking single file along
a dry riverbed, you realise you are in a pretty parched area. The three National
Reserves of Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba are at the beginning of the dry
north where camels become common place.
However, it is not a completely parched area as it is watered by the Uaso Nyiro
River or 'River of Brown Water' in Samburu. This is an essential and sometimes
erratic water source for all the inhabitants, including a considerable amount
of wildlife in the reserves and Samburu cattle and goats. Out of the north Kenyan
tribes of Samburu, Rendille, Turkana and Borana, the Samburu dominate this area.
To the uninformed eye they could be confused with the Maasai - for they are closely
related and wear similar bright clothing and jewellery and have the same cultural
beliefs. They continue their nomadic pastoralist lifestyle as they have done
for hundreds of years.
The scrub desert, desiccated savannah and small hills of this region create overriding
colours of muted greens, dusty creams, sand yellow, earthen ochre and every shade
of brown. Perfect camouflage colours for the many animals that inhabit these
parks
ANIMALS & BIRDS
The reserves are relatively small and animals are easy to find,
with a number of weird and wonderful species endemic to this
area. Notably the gerenuk - also known as the 'giraffe necked
antelope' because of its ridiculously stretched neck adapted
for browsing high into the bushes. Another local inhabitant is
the Grevy's zebra, which resembles an ass with wide stripes that
don't quite go all the way under the belly. Reticulated giraffes
are different from their southern cousins in their perfectly
arranged pattern. A very common dwarf antelope in these parts
is the tiny dik dik, who is devoted to its mate for its entire
lifetime.
Many other species exist in these reserves and large crocs and
hippos inhabit the river. Leopard, lion, cheetah and hyena are
found here and an unusual treat is that leopards are commonly seen
in daylight.
Birds are numerous and 365 species have been recorded in Buffalo
Springs reserve.
SEASONS
Temperatures reach 104°F (40°C) in the day with a low of 68°F (20°C)
at night
Rainy Season: It may rain anytime during the hot months of April
to June, then again in November and December. November is usually
the wettest month.
Dry Season: January through to March are very hot and dry, and
again from July to October. July is normally the driest month.
SAMBURU-SHABA-BUFFALO SPRINGS SPECIALITIES
• Gerenuk 'giraffe necked' antelope
• Reticulated giraffe
• Grevy's zebra
• Riverside lodges
• Leopards in daylight
• Samburu people
FACTS
The altitude of this area is between 2,500-4,000 feet (762-1,219
metres)
This is a malarial are
Itinerary for [ 7
Days ] [ 8 Days ]
[ 13 Days ] [ 21
Days ]
|
