What it is
Semi-arid scrub and doum palms along the Ewaso Ng'iro river, north of Mount Kenya. Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves sit side by side and are usually visited as one.
Why go
The dry-country animals: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, gerenuk standing on their hind legs to browse, Somali ostrich. Leopards use the riverine trees. It is hot, red and looks nothing like the Mara, which is the reason to add it.
When to go
June to October and December to March. It is hotter than the highlands all year; plan on well over 30C in the middle of the day and rest through it. The river can rise fast after rain falling upstream on Mount Kenya, even when it is dry where you are standing.
Most people stay 2-3 nights.