Shaba National Reserve is situated in Isiolo County in Kenya. It is characterized by savannah grasslands, acacia woodlands, shrubs, scattered lava rocks, and riverine forests, covering an area of 239 square kilometers dominated by the Shaba volcano.
Shaba National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, and Samburu National Reserve make up a large conservation area in this less-visited part of Kenya. These reserves are excellent options for tourists who have already been to other well-known Kenyan national parks.
Entry Fees: The entry fee to Shaba National Reserve is $70 for foreign non-resident adults and $40 for foreign non-resident children. East African residents will pay Kshs 1,000, while Kenyan citizens will pay Kshs 500. Foreign residents will need to present proof of their residential status to enjoy resident rates. Entry prices can change yearly, so it is advisable to stay updated with the Kenya Wildlife Authority.
History: Shaba National Reserve was gazetted in 1948 and later established as a national park in 1974. The American epic romantic drama film “Out of Africa” was partly filmed here in 1985. In 2001, the park was closed for filming the American CBS reality television series “Survivor: Africa.” Joy Adamson, famous for her book “Born Free,” was found dead on January 3, 1980, initially thought to be killed by a lion, but later investigations suggested murder. Her body was cremated and interred next to Elsa’s grave in Mount Meru National Park. Military training around the reserve might cause environmental disruption, and hunting, deforestation, and cattle grazing near the reserve are also concerns.
Location: Shaba National Reserve is located east of Samburu National Reserve and is 315 kilometers northeast of Nairobi. The drive from Nairobi by road can take 6-7 hours. Domestic flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the nearby Samburu National Reserve are also available.
Best Time to Visit: The reserve experiences a semi-arid climate and is visitable year-round, but the best months are from June to September and December to February when the weather is favorable and the roads are in good condition. Wildlife is easier to spot during the dry months as it congregates around the Ewaso Ngiro River. Budget travelers may prefer the low season for better rates at hotels.
Accommodation: Accommodations in Shaba include Sinteti Hotel, Silver Bells Hotel, Bomen Hotel, Lions Cave Camp, Joy’s Camp, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, Grands Hotel, Camels Gate Lodge, Samburu Special Campsite, Larsen’s Camp, and Sasaab Camp. Accommodation varies from budget to luxury options, depending on tourists’ budgets and preferences.
Animals: Shaba Hill National Reserve is a habitat for several wildlife species, including warthogs, aardvarks, Masai giraffes, dik-diks, Grant’s gazelles, klipspringers, zebras, gerenuks, common elands, impalas, Beisa oryx, lesser kudus, greater kudus, bat-eared foxes, leopards, elephants, lions, spotted and striped hyenas, black-backed jackals, velvet monkeys, and much more.
What to do Birding Shaba National Reserve is a birder’s paradise with 350 recorded species, including some endemics and threatened birds. Enthusiasts can spot species such as the lesser kestrel, William’s lark, yellow-billed oxpecker, great egret, white-headed vulture, African darted, black-capped social weaver, sandgrouse, Marabou stork, vulturine guineafowl, D’Arnaud’s barbet, acacia tit, brown-tailed rock chat, Fischer’s starling, chestnut weaver, chestnut-headed sparrow lark, red-bellied parrot, white-headed mousebird, singing bush lark, Somali bee-eater, red-winged lark, red-necked falcon, pink-breasted lark, palm-nut vulture, Mariqua sunbird, secretary bird, pygmy batis, northern brownbul, Hunter’s sunbird, bare-eyed thrush, golden pipit, ashy cisticola, African palm swift, and grey wren-warbler, among many others.
Cultural Encounters The areas neighboring Shaba National Reserve are home to the Samburu people, whose culture closely resembles that of the Maasai people of Kenya. Interacting with the locals provides insight into their lifestyle and daily activities. Supporting the community by purchasing their handcrafted jewelry as souvenirs or gifts is also encouraged.
Nature Guided Walks There are trails along the riverine forests designed for nature-guided walks, allowing tourists to explore the park on foot while getting close to wildlife, plants, and bird species.
Camel Back Safaris Shaba National Reserve’s semi-arid area is home to the local Samburu people, nomadic pastoralists who rely mainly on their livestock and small-scale farming. The Samburu often water their camels and cattle at the Ewaso River and ride them as well. Visitors can experience a camel ride guided by a Samburu warrior to explore the beautiful semi-arid lands of the Samburu people.
Attractions/what to see Ewaso Ngiro River The Ewaso Ngiro River flows from the majestic Kenyan highlands to the Lorian Swamp within Shaba National Reserve. This river attracts a plethora of wildlife and is home to numerous crocodiles. Along its banks grow various trees and plants that provide habitat for aquatic birds.
Shaba Volcano Shaba Volcano, from which the reserve gets its name, dominates Shaba National Reserve, rising to an elevation of 1628 meters above sea level. Hiking Shaba offers some of the most beautiful scenic views of the reserve.
Other Mountains Ololokwe and Koitogor Mountains offer spectacular views, making Samburu National Reserve a photographic destination.
Samburu National Reserve Samburu National Reserve, part of three adjacent conservation areas, is an excellent wildlife viewing destination with over 450 species of birds recorded. Located along the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River, it covers an area of 165 square kilometers and is home to unique species like the Somali ostrich and Beisa oryx.
Some common bird species in Samburu include the white-faced whistling duck, northern pintail, crested guinea fowl, stone partridge, Shelley’s francolin, greater and lesser flamingo, speckled pigeon, chestnut-bellied sand grouse, Kori bustard, white-crested turaco, white-bellied go-away bird, white-browed coucal, bare-faced go-away bird, pennant-winged nightjar, mottled spinetail, water thick-knee, black-bellied plover, and blacksmith lapwing, among others.
Buffalo Springs National Reserve Buffalo Springs National Reserve, adjacent to Shaba National Reserve, is renowned for being home to four of the big five land mammals, with common leopard sightings. Wildlife that can be spotted includes cheetahs, elephants, lions, olive baboons, gazelles, and crocodiles along the Ewaso Ngiro River.
Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, established in collaboration with the local Samburu people and the Northern Rangeland Trust, covers an area of 850,000 acres. Two camps within the conservancy help support the local community. Wildlife such as Grevy’s zebra, African wild dogs, De Brazza’s monkeys, gerenuks, and reticulated giraffes can be observed here.
Matthews Mountain Range The 150-kilometer-long Matthews Mountain Range, located near Laikipia close to Shaba National Reserve, encompasses approximately 900 square kilometers of forested land. The highest peak, Warges, stands at 2688 meters, followed by Ol Doinyo Lemkiyo at 2375 meters. Visitors to Shaba National Reserve can explore the untouched wilderness of the Matthews Mountain Range.
