Samburu , Shaba, and Buffalo Springs are situated along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River just north of Isiolo town.  They combine to cover some 300 sq km of mostly scrub desert and open savannah plain. Small rugged hills break the monotony and provide a perfect habitat for leopards. The river supports a variety of game including elephant, buffalo, cheetah, lion, dik-dik, and wart hog. While Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, and the reticulated giraffe are especially abundant in these parks, human tourists are not as common. Except for the lodge entrances, travelers often find themselves en joying the environs in virtual solitude.