National Reserves in Samburu
Shaba National Reserve: Stunning Vistas
Set up in 1974, the exotic 60 km2 Shaba National Reserve, flanked to the north by River Ewaso Nyiro and encompassed by the expansive Sera Conservancy, offers one of the secluded and idyllic safari destination in Isiolo County and perhaps in the whole of Kenya. The reserve is named after Mount Shaba, a volcanic mountain that is sacred to the local Samburu community. Shaba National Reserve is never without a good concentration of wildlife withal its un-wooded landscape makes it easy to spot game. There is a road running along the banks of River Ewaso Nyiro, and around each bend in the river a wonderful ever-changing landscape unfolds.
To bolster its appeal, Shaba National Reserve is contiguous with Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. It is part of the larger ecosystem that includes these reserves, and together they form a considerable conservation area in the region. Like Samburu, Shaba is home to the “Samburu Special Five” – Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and gerenuk. On top of these, it hosts a variety of other animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and numerous antelope species. The great Ewaso Ng’iro River, which also flows through Shaba, attracts a wide range of wildlife, especially during the dry season.
Shaba National Reserve is liked for its rugged terrain and dramatic landscapes. It is characterized by volcanic rock formations, steep gorges, and the impressive Shaba Hill, which dominate the landscape. The semi-arid environment is dotted with acacia trees, doum palms, and the occasional oasis, composing a striking contrast against the dry plains. Shaba National Reserve has a rich conservation history. It was one of the key sites where conservationist Joy Adamson, famed for her work with lions and cheetahs, conducted her pioneering research. The area is still actively involved in conservation efforts to protect its unique flora and fauna.
By evening, the sandy banks along River Ewaso provide a splendid set-up to enjoy the awesome sunsets. Shaba National Reserve is home to Sarova Shaba Game Lodge and Joy’s Camp. The former, pleasantly-situated alongside the Ewaso Nyiro River, flanked by doum palms and sand banks, is a haunt of beauty, and although it’s off the beaten track, boasts of a fulsome swimming pool and amenities like electricity, bar, and gazebos. From either of these establishments, holiday-makers get to enjoy open-top game drives, guided bush walks and excursions to Magado Crater. Shaba is situated 52 km north of Isiolo town and is served by two airstrips.
Kenya certainly has enormous touring resources. There are no less than sixty national narks, reserves and game sanctuaries, covering approximately 11% of the land surface. Each of these diverse and stunning national parks and reserves offers unique wildlife experiences and unique, breathtaking landscapes.
Index of National Parks & Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Baringo National Reserve, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Kerio Valley National Reserve, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, Bomet County - The South Western Mau National Reserve, Busia County - Malaba Sanctuary, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Rimoi National Reserve, Embu County - Mount Kenya National Park; Irangi Forest Station, Mwea National Reserve, Garissa County - Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Arawale National Reserve, Boni National Reserve, Homa Bay County - Ruma National Park, Isiolo County - The Bisanadi National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve, Kajiado County - Amboseli National Park, Kakamega County - Kakamega National Reserve, Kilifi County - Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, Watamu Marine National Park, Malindi Marine Reserve, Kisumu County - Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Ndere Island National Park, Kitui County - Mwingi National Reserve, South Kitui National Reserve, Kwale County - Shimba Hills National Reserve, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve, Lamu County - Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine National Reserve, Machakos County - Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Makueni County - Chyulu Hills National Park, Ngai Ndethya National Reserve, Mandera County - Malka Mari National Park, Marsabit County - Losai National Reserve, South Island National Park, Marsabit National Park & Reserve, Sibiloi National Park, Meru County - Meru National Park, Mombasa County - Mombasa Marine National Reserve & Park, Nairobi County - The Nairobi National Park, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot National Park, Crescent Island Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nandi County - Bonjoge National Reserve, Narok County - Masai Mara National Reserve, Nyeri County - The Aberdare National Park, Samburu County - Samburu National Reserve, Maralal National Reserve, Siaya County - Lake Kanyaboli Reserve, Tana River County - Kora National Park, The Tana Primate National Reserve, Taita Taveta County - Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Tharaka Nithi County - Mutejwa National Reserve, Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon National Park, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Turkana County - Central Island Reserve, South Turkana Reserve, West Pokot County - Nasolot National Reserve
Samburu County, in northern Kenya, offers stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife. Known for its stunning mountains, hills, remote wilderness, traditional Samburu culture, and less-visited national reserves, the county provides an authentic experience away from the popular safari circuit.
You Are Here: Shaba National Reserve
Where to Next?
Explore Destination Nearby Shaba National Reserve
A Guide to Samburu County
A Summa Digest of Samburu
About Samburu Way Back When
50 Destinations in Samburu County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, west then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shaba National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Archer's Post, Chanler’s Falls, Umoja Cultural Village, Nashipa Eco Camp, Lion's Cave Camp, Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Camp, Ewaso Lions, Kalama Conservancy, Saruni Samburu Lodge, Westgate Conservancy, Rhodia Mann Museum, Meibai Conservancy, Mount Ololokwe, Namunyak Community Conservancy, Sarara Camp, Singing Wells, Reteti Sanctuary, Mathews Range, Kitich Camp, Sera Conservancy, Saruni Rhino Camp, Ndoto Mountains, Mlima Tatu, Ngurunit, Ngurunit Rock Pools, Camp Ndotto, Mount Nyiru, Desert Rose, El Barta, Samburu Hills, Baragoi Deanery, Nachola Site, Napong Hills, Losiolo Escarpment, Emuruangogolak, Kirisia Forest, Ngari Hill Lodge, Maralal Safari Lodge, Yale Camp, Maralal Camel Derby, Kenyatta House Maralal, Loroghi Plateau, Engare Narok Sanctuary, Lake Mbaringon
Know More About Samburu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Samburu is almost always hot! The driest months are January and February. The mean annual temperature is 29oC, with fast blowing winds especially on the lowlands. Rain is temporal and erratic.
Over 80% of Samburu lies within the fragile arid to semi-arid ecological vast block of Kenya. Altitude, excepting the ranges and mountains, varies from 2040 ms to 600 ms asl.