Shaba National Reserve

Shaba National Reserve was gazetted as a protected area in 1974.the reserve covers 239square kilometers and is situated east of Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserve, on the southern bank of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Shaba National Reserve is the largest of the three protected superb sanctuaries that make up the Samburu Eco-system and offers breathtaking scenery amidst arid grasslands and sparse woodland set against the backdrop hills of Shaba, a volcanic extinct highland.

Activities in Shaba National park

• Game drives-Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to go on a game drive, because you have the best chance of coming across predators on the move. Apart from the predators and the big five other wild animals you are likely to spot include, Waterbuck, Cheetah, Striped Hyena, Aardwolf – (nocturnal), Wild Cat, Warthog, Impala, Baboons, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich and Gerenuk.
• Bird watching-Shaba National Reserve is very richly endowed with birds, which find the many lush areas surrounding the fresh-water springs irresistible! The reserve also lies on the migration path of several Palearctic migrants, which pop in for a refuel from time to time! Shaba is also the chosen home of one of the rarest birds in the world, the William’s Lark, which is found nowhere else on the planet! Keep your eyes peeled for the following: Yellow-breasted Apalis, Bristle-crowned Starling, Shining Sunbird, Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver, Red-rumped Waxbill, Somali Crombec, Sharpe’s Long claw, Guineafowl, Francolin, Kori Bustard, Martial Eagle, Vultures and Heuglin’s Bustard
• Cultural Visits to the Samburu Villages-Take your time and visit the samburu village to learn about the traditions and cultures of the samburu people.  You will be treated to local dancing and song, and see just how important tourism is in the lives of the community.  You will also have the opportunity to buy some souvenirs from them.
• Visit the Singing Wells-Get an intimate glimpse into the ancient and traditional lifestyle of the Samburu herdsmen, as you visit the unique Singing Wells. Every morning the local pastoralists bring their family herds of goats and cattle to the “singing wells”. Because this is an arid land and water is extremely scarce, the young herdsmen have to draw water from deep wells for their domestic animals to drink. As the young herdsmen descend into the wells, some of which can be up to 10m deep, they sing traditional songs in unison, as they pass the collected water to the surface for their livestock.

Where to stay at Shaba National Reserve

There are two lodges inside the reserve (Sarova Shaba lodge and joy camp) and several more accommodation options bordering Shaba or in the neighboring Samburu and Buffalo Springs reserves