From there we left the lush central highlands, headed north, crossed the Equator, and arrived at Samburu National Reserve. It is predominately hot, semi-arid acacia woodland interspersed with open bushed grassland, riverine thickets with palms and figs, and huge isolated rock outcrops. Birds abounded in this dry landscape where it hasn’t rained since October 2010. Once again the hornbills were stand-outs – Red-billed, Eastern Yellow-billed, and Von der Decken’s. We had excellent looks at Black-faced Sandgrouse, a bird that can be hard to spot and is more often seen flying away or flying by. Heuglin’s (Three-banded) Courser was another cryptic but uniquely patterned ground bird we saw well. Vulturine Guineafowl resemble old men, having bald heads ringed with bristles. Lilac-breasted Roller, Golden-breasted Starling, and Purple Grenadier added color to the dusty brown landscape. Africa’s smallest antelope, Dikdik, were everywhere, as were the proportionately long-necked and long-legged Gerenuk. We had to back up to get out of the way of a herd of African Elephants. It was a treat to witness three young male lions stalk (unsuccessfully) an Impala.