Devastating floods destroy 6 tourist lodges in Kenya’s Samburu National Park

08/03/2010 22:40:37 Save the Elephants camp destroyed by floods

March 2010. Kenya's well known Samburu National Park has been hit by huge floods which destroyed the Save The Elephants research camp as well as six tourist lodges. Amazingly, so far, there have been no reports of casualties in the Samburu region, although at least 6 people have died in other parts of Kenya and reports from Uganda suggest that several hundred people are missing after mudslides buried some villages on the slopes of Mount Elgon.

After heavy, unseasonal rains, a flash flood swept down the Ewaso Nyiro river, washing away tourism lodges sited on the river bank, as well as the camp of the well known charity ‘Save The Elephants'.

Samburu National Reserve after the Ewaso Nyiro River burst its banks. Credit Wildlife Direct

Many people were rescued from treetops and roofs of buildings by helicopters, some of which were flown by the British Army.

Wildlife suffers badly - Many dik dik drowned
A lot more rain is forecast as the usual rainy season looms. Having just suffered one of the worst droughts in living memory, these floods are truly devastating. Virtually no wildlife has been seen in the reserve since the floods. Many dik dik drowned as small and young animals were unable to escape the flash floods, while many larger animals like elephants have disappeared; presumably they've gone up into the hills.

Ewaso lions, a local wildlife charity, are very concerned for the lions, several of whom had young cubs and were last seen close to the river.

Please help the homeless of Samburu
Please help Samburu. Food and shelter are needed as well as donations for a relief effort. Many people are now homeless and without food and clean water. To help, please donate here.