Pure African Gems! The special five of Northern Rangelands of Kenya

I will be writing a lot about my travel in Samburu, isiolo and Laikipia Counties. A lot has been said and written about Samburu National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve and the Shaba National Reserve.  These three National reserves are located in the Samburu and the Isiolo counties and form one ecosystem I would call the SICA (Samburu Isiolo Conservation Area) for ease of typing. In reality the three reserves form one important and very vital ecosystem for both wildlife and tourism in the North Eastern part of Kenya. One good aspect I like about SICA is that it is a conservation area managed by the local counties for the benefit of the resident communities. So every time you enter and pay the conservation fee at the gate, remember you money is ideally trickling down directly to the development agendas of the people of Isiolo and Samburu!

The SICA is home to the special Five. The special five consist of the Grevy’s Zebra, The Oryx Beisa, The Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe and the Somali Ostrich. You are most definitely going to encounter these special five species when you visit SICA than anywhere else in Kenya!  So next time you are in SICA get your eyes and camera ready we want to know where you spotted any of the special five!

The Grevy Zebra (Equus grevyi)

Listed as an endangered species by CITES.  Grevy zebras are mostly found in in Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo. Most threat to their population right now in Kenya is their shrinking habitat and competition to water and other resources from livestock.

 There is a Oryx Beisa in the background

The Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)

Also nick named the Somali Giraffe mainly found in the Somali, Ethiopia and the Northern Kenya. They are the most Graceful animals and I just love them I studied Giraffe for my Masters Research together with elephants and rhinos.

  The hills in the background!! What can I say Tembea uone mengi SICA is breathtaking!

The Somali Ostrich (Struthio camelus molybdophanes)

Other common must see species when you are in the SICA. The male and the female are so distinctively different. As often as I have spotted this ostrich I am yet to see any burying its head in the sand!

Both the male and the female ostrich

 The female Somali Ostrich

 The male Somali Ostrich

The Oryx Beisa (Oryx gazella beisa)

I have only seen them in SICA not in any other park in Kenya. Beautiful with their long sharp horn resembling unicorn those I used to see on story books.

 I am still to get an up close photo I will update once I do

The Gerenuk (Litocranius walleri)

They are the prettiest of all the antelopes if you ask me! With their long necks and small heads, no wander they are nick named Giraffe necked antelopes.

The Gerenuk doing what it does best, standing on twos and browsing the high up leaves!

Next I will be talking about the small five, so keep it here!