These two small National Parks sit facing each other across the Ewaso Nyiro River on the edge of the semi-arid lands of Kenya's north-east. This area has recently seen relief from a devastating drought which parched the land and badly affected much of the wildlife. Cape Buffalo have probably been the most obvious casualties having almost completely disappeared from the area, though elephants and some of the predators have also suffered.

In the early months of 2010 the drought eventually broke with heavy seasonal rains breathing fresh life into the area. Unfortunately the rains became excessive -especially over the slopes of Mount Kenya where the Ewaso Nyiro river has its origin. Extensive deforestation on Mount Kenya meant that there was no longer sufficient forest to soak up and hold the heavy rains resulting in a freak "Tsunami" run-off down the Ewaso Nyiro river. At around 0500 am on the morning of 4th March 2010 this massive flashflood hit Samburu washing away six of the safari lodges in the park. Whilst none of the tourists/lodge staff lost their lives the flood has devastated much of the infrastructure of Samburu NP and has seriously damaged the bridge connecting Samburu with Buffalo Springs.