The reserves are located at a distance of about 343 km from Nairobi. While the Samburu Reserve covers an area of about 104 square kilometers, the Buffalo Springs Reserve covers 131 square kilometers. The terrain includes hills, undulating plains with riverine forests, swamps, grasslands and woodlands. The reserves were opened to visitors in 1985. Visitors can stay at three lodges in Samburu and a tented lodge. There are also special campsites at each of the reserves, which are more convenient for the safari operators. Visitors can enjoy some lovely scenery, including permanent springs, and view animals like the giraffe, Grevy's zebra, elephant, oryx, Somali ostrich, hippo, crocodile, gerenuk, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. Moreover, there are over 365 species of bird.