A Guide To Shaba National Reserve Kenya
Shaba National Reserve Kenya is the home of Joy Adamson’s monument. Shaba National Reserve is well known for its magnificent landscape and wildlife. There is one lodge in Shaba with 178 beds and one tented lodge with 34. There is also an outstanding river Ewaso Nyiro that forms part of the landscape in the reserve, which supplies through deep gorges and sandbanks and then flows down into Chandlers Falls and ends up draining up at Lorian Swamp.
The major attractions are the scenic landscape riverine forest and 17 springs where animals congregate during the dry season. Animals in the reserve include the reticulated giraffe, Somalia ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, and Joy Adamson’s monument. The park lies to the east of the Samburu National Park and covers an area of 130 square kilometers north of the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
Quick Facts About Shaba National Park
Here is a List of Facts about Shaba National Park
- Altitude: 700 – 1,500 meters above sea level.
- Area: 239 sq km.
- Location: Eastern Province.
- Distance from Nairobi: 320 km north-east of Nairobi.
- Gazetted: The reserve was established in 1948 and later gazetted in 1974
- Climate: the reserve lies in a hot and dry semi-arid area.
- Traditionally the long rains fall in March/April and the short rains in October/November.
- Vegetation: varies between acacia woodland, bushland scrubland, and narrow riverine woodlands.
- Wildlife: includes: elephants, cheetahs, reticulated giraffes, oryx, gerenuk, vervet monkeys, zebra, buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles.
- Birds: over 350 species have been recorded.
- Roads: 4WD is recommended for the journey to and within the reserve although 2WD vehicles with good ground clearance can be used outside the rainy seasons.
About Shaba National Reserve
Shaba National Reserve is a shielded area in Isiolo County in northern Kenya to the east of the Samburu and Buffalo Springs national reserves. The three reserves together form a large protected area.
The Shaba reserve has dramatic scenery including scattered woodlands, dry grasslands, and river-side forests, dominated by the Shaba Hill volcano. The plentiful wildlife depends on waterholes and marshes spread throughout the reserve. Shaba is also home to the endangered Grevy’s zebra and the rare Williams’s lark.
Shaba was the setting for the reality show Survivor: Africa, and for the book and film Born Free, for the film Out of Africa. The reserve is a famous destination for tourists, which presents a risk of excess numbers of visitors and the growth of the local population around the reserve putting stress on the environment.
History of Shaba National Reserve
Shaba National Reserve was established in 1974 and was administered by the Isiolo County Council. It is just east of Samburu and 70 km (43 mi) to the north of Mount Kenya. The Ewaso Ngiro River runs for 34 km (21 mi) along the northern border of the reserve. Annual rainfall is also between 250 mm (9.8 in) and 500 mm (20 in). The soils are sandy and of volcanic origin.
However, the reserve is a semi-desert, dotted with isolated hills and plentiful springs. Shaba Hill in the south, with its volcanic formations, rises to 2,145 m (7,037 ft) above sea level from the relatively flat surrounding country, and the land at the foot of this hill is rugged, containing steep ravines.
Away from the river, the habitats include bushland dominated by Commiphora, alkaline grasslands, umbrella thorn acacia woodland, and open areas of lava rock that contain scattered patches of grass and shrubs.
Shaba National Reserve Animals
- Shaba is best known for its large lion pride, which rests under thickets of toothbrush trees during the day. At night, predators include the striped hyena, black-backed jackal, and spotted hyena.
- The reserve is home to rare species that include the reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and the endangered Grevy’s zebra.
Shaba National Reserve Activities
Game Drives
- Visitors get to explore the reserve’s semi-arid landscape and spot wildlife like reticulated giraffes, Somali ostriches, Grevy’s zebras, and the rare Beisa oryx. Morning and evening drives provide the best chances to see predators like leopards, lions, and cheetahs.
Bird Watching
- The dry, open country presents very rewarding birding opportunities. The area holds several northeast African dry-country species that are also found in Somalia and Ethiopia.
- Examples are; vulture guinea fowl, marabou storks, doves, black-capped social weavers, black-faced, and many bird species are also found in the reserve.
Culture
- Tourists interact with the local people and find their own way of living, dressing, feeding, and cultural ways.
- The local people are the Samburu in the community as the tourists are able to interact with them by learning their traditional ways through cattle herding, feeding, and jewelry making.
Nature Walks & Hiking
- This is the best way to explore the park’s beautiful scenery and uncover its hidden gems. You’ll get to see vibrant flowers tucked away in the bushes, notice different reptiles and frogs, and even spot bird nests.
Photography
- With its diverse landscapes, vibrant colors, and a plethora of wildlife, Shaba National Reserve is a photographer’s paradise! It is the best place to take pictures of wild animals and landscapes, or even just to grab the beauty of a sunrise or sunset.
Shaba National Reserve Kenya – Remote wilderness
- Together with the Samburu and Buffalo Springs, Shaba National Reserve Kenya is located in Kenya‘s Northern Frontier Province, a rugged and little-visited region. Driving to the park you will often see Samburu herding cattle through the thorn bush or watering camels in the river.
- The Ewaso Ng’iro River is life-giving for the area thus ensuring an abundance of wildlife exists in the reserve at all times.
Where to Stay in Shaba National Reserve
There are two lodges inside the reserve and several more accommodation options bordering Shaba or in the neighboring Samburu and Buffalo Springs reserves.
Sarova Shaba Lodge
- It is situated on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and features a deck overlooking a favorite Crocodile basking area, where these giant reptiles are fed every night.
- The Lodge has 85 modern, chalet-style rooms and suites, all with private balconies and views over the river.
- It also offers a pool and a full range of activities, including camel-back safaris, bush breakfasts, and dinners under the stars.
Joy’s Camp
- Joy’s Camp stands on the spot where the legendary conservationist Joy Adamson set up camp more than 40 years ago. The 10 under-canvas suites (Each suite measures 100m² and has an en-suite bedroom, sitting area, and private terrace) are decorated with handmade local décor to provide an authentic ambiance and provide the last word in luxury.
- There is also a pool and wellness area, and the camp offers all the activities you could wish for, including night game drives.
What To See At Shaba National Reserve Kenya
The main attractions are the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich, and the gerenuk. Elephant are plentiful and black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, and hyena can all be seen. Dik disks are always dashing across the red roads whilst vervet monkeys scamper about under the trees.
How to get to Shaba National Reserve
By road
- Shaba lies approximately 300km north of Nairobi and is easily accessed by road in about 6 hours. Shaba are topped with gritty volcanic sand and a 4WD is usually required.
By air
- Flying time is about 50-70min (depending on the aircraft). It is also possible to charter a flight between Shaba and any of the other amazing Kenyan national parks and reserves you may have on your wish-list.
Shaba National Reserve Contacts
- Attraction Type: Wildlife
- Category: Game Reserve
- Region: Eastern
- City/Town: Isiolo
- Telephone: 254 20 600 0800, 254 20 600 2345, 254 20 237 9407
- Entrance Fee: Yes
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