Bisanadi national reserve is situated in isiolo county in Kenya, covering an area of about 600 square kilometers of arid wilderness, the reserve acts as a dispersal area during the rains, as it’s adjacent to Mount Meru national park it’s boasts various wildlife and over 400 species of birds.
Bisanadi national reserve is characterized by savanna grasslands, forests, swamps ad combretum thickets. The park is found on the Kinna border dividing two local tribes, the Meru and the Bisanadi. the reserve is very remote and the safari vehicle must be a four-wheel drive car.
The reserve was established in the year 1979 and has been managed by the Kenyan wildlife office. Tourists can make their stay memorable by fishing at the Tana and Rujowero rivers within the reserve. The reserve gives animals the freedom to roam out of Mount Meru without any human encroachment.
Activities at the reserve
Game viewing
Bisanadi game reserve acts as a dispersal area for Mount Meru national park, Kori national game reserve and Mwingi national reserve. Some of the animals at the park are African elephant, African buffaloes, cheetahs, lions, white rhinoceros, elands, giraffes, impalas, wildebeest, hartebeest.
Birdwatching
The park is blessed with over 400 species of birds, making it a birder’s paradise. some examples of birds to be seen include the malachite eagle, kingfisher, Peter’s finfoot, brown-backed pecker and Huggins coarser among the rest. The best time to do birding is in the morning and evening hours.
Cultural experience
Africa is a land of many ethnic groups and different cultural values. The Bisanadi game reserve is bordered by the Meru and the Boran tribes. tourists can visit the people and interact about their ways of life and also enjoy entertainment from the local dancing groups after along day game drives and acquire some unique handicrafts locally made by the people.
Fishing
Apart from game viewing and bird watching, tourists can complement their safari by enjoying fishing at the Tana River, which has various fish species. Tourists are always encouraged to come along with their own fishing gear for this activity.
Camping
Boat riding at Tana river Tana
For those not interested in getting into water, they can enjoy their Kenya wildlife safari by carrying a launch box and enjoying it during the boat ride at the magnificent river Tana.
Best time to visit
The Bisanadi Game Reserve is hot and arid and therefore can be visited throughout the year, but for those interested in a summer-like experience, the best times are in the drier months of January to March and June to October.
Where to stay
Bisanadi national reserve currently has no accommodation within, but tourists can access accommodation from the surrounding area or from Mount Meru some of the suggested hotels are; leopard rock safari lodge, rhino river camp and leopard rock lodge among the rest.
How to get there
Bisanadi national game reserve can be reached by air or by road, when traveling by road, it’s easily accessed through Mount Meru national park by Murera gate the Kenyan domestic flights can be organized to Korbessa airstrip near Mount Meru national park.
