Garissa County lies in the Northern part of the country, and is one of the driest counties in the country.
The county is mainly known for its pastoralist communities, and is one area that has been adversely affected by terrorism and terrorist attacks.
The climate in the area also inhibits any form of farming, with the locals opting to move around with their animals looking for the elusive green pasture.
However, the county boasts of one of the most important tourist attractions in the name of Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy.
This is a community based conservation area located with the county. It covers approximately 72 km, and is situated along the eastern banks of the Tana River and borders the Tana River Primate Reserve.
Despite its small size, the conservancy is home and breeding ground for the endemic and critically endangered animals, among them the Hirola antelope.
Early this year, the conservancy experienced a rare spectacle, when a white giraffe was spotted, a rare animal species.
Apart from the endangered animals, the conservancy is home to a number of bird species estimated to be around 350 species.
The birds include 13 species listed on East Africa’s Red Data List, which include the hooded vulture.
According to officers manning the conservancy, the cooperation of the Somali pastoralist communities that make up Ishaqbini has been crucial to the conservation of this species, and to its habitat.