Shaba National Reserve
The Shaba National Reserve was gazetted in 1974 and administered by the Isiolo County Council. It is located east of Samburu and 70km to the north of Mount Kenya and Ewaso Ngiro river runs for 34km along the northern boundary of the reserve. Annual rainfall is between 250 and 500 millimetres and the soils are sandy, volcanic in origin. The reserve is semi-desert, dotted with isolated hills and plentiful springs, with Shaba Hill in the south, with its volcanic formations, rising to 2,145 metres above sea level from the relatively flat surrounding country. Shaba is smaller than Samburu Reserve and has more riverine forests which contain acacia elatior and doum palms. Away from the river the habitats include; umbrella thorn acacia woodland, bush land dominated by commiphora, alkaline grasslands and open areas of lava rock that contain scattered patches of grass and shrubs.
Shaba National Reserve is a protected area in isiolo county in northern Kenya to the east of Samburu and buffalo springs national reserves and together the three reserves form a large protected area. The Shaba reserve has dramatic scenery including river-side forests, scattered woodlands and dry grasslands dominated by the Shaba Hill volcano.
The plentiful wildlife relies on waterholes and marshes scattered throughout the reserve, and it is home to the endangered Grevy’s zebra and the rare William’s lark. Shaba was the setting for the book and film of born free and for the reality show survivor Africa. The reserve is a popular destination for tourists. There is some risk of excess numbers of visitors and growth of the local population around the reserve which may place stress on the environment. Although Shaba is greener than Samburu, game species such as Masai giraffes and Grant’s zebras are less common, but with plenty of klipspringer and hyrax in the hills and aardvarks, warthogs and bat eared foxes make their homes in domed termite mounds in the shrubland.
Bird life is plentiful in Shaba and similar to that of the Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. The near-threatened and poorly known William’s lark is found in the reserve in regions of rocky lava semi-desert with low Barleria shrubs. The reserve lies on the migration route from the Palearctic for the globally threatened lesser kestrel,, which pass through each year. Shaba is also home to regionally threatened birds that include; African darter and great egret, the resident white-headed vulture, martial eagle and yellow billed Oxpecker.
Top reasons to visit Shaba National Reserve.
The national reserve has different top activities that are a must experience in the reserve on your safari in Shaba national reserve and below are mentioned;
Wildlife Species
Due to its green vegetation and river that quench animal thirst in the reserve there is a variety of wildlife species spotted by the tourists on their visit to the reserve and some of the animals include; beisa Oryx, gravy’s Zebra, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, leopard, cheetah, lions all these species can be sighted on tourist safari along the riverbanks in this reserve. The animals can be seen during the hiking and game viewing activities in the park.
Birdlife
The reserve is a haven for numerous bird species which some of the species include; marabou stork, vulturine guinea fowl, dove, black-capped social weaver, sand grouse, black-fenced sand grouse, D’arnaud’s barbet mentioned few. The near-threatened and poorly known William’s lark is found in the reserve in regions of rocky lava semi-desert with low Barleria shrubs and these birds can be spotted during the nature walks and also during game viewing also using the binocular lenses.
Shaba Hill
This hill gives rewardable view of the park’s scenic landscape as well as the species. And it’s where the reserve got its name ‘’Shaba’’. The hill gives you the best scenic views of the reserve when you reach on top of it. The hill climbing brings you close to the animals, birds, the greener vegetation and also a photographic view of the park.
Top activities in the reserve
The Shaba national reserve is also surrounded with some activities just like other national parks and reserves which bring tourists in Kenya to have unique experiences in East Africa’s national parks and other attractive destinations.
Game drive
Shaba national reserve offers three different sessions for game viewing in the park which include Morning game drive, afternoon and full game drive. Morning game drives are kindly the best game viewing time giving you a chance to view the wildlife species since they are active this hour of the day and can easily be seen at this time of the day looking for food. Morning game drive is also a life time experience of watching out beautiful African sunrise in the wild thus offering to you great photography chances. Full day game drives allow you to come out with real adventure of park’s scenery, rewardable views of wildlife as you get to learn on how they feed, survival instincts. Afternoon game drive, wildlife is difficult to be sighted as they can be seeking for shelter running away from the heart however, they can be spotted when you visit the water shores where you will see them drink water and cooling their bodies from too much heat.
Bird watching
Shaba national reserve is a right safari destination for tourists who prefer adventuring in bird watching and here you will be able to sight see different unique bird species like; black-faced sand grouse, marabou stork, sand grouse, Vulturine guinea fowl, D’arnaud’s barbet, black-capped social weaver among others. The best spotting area in the reserve is semi-arid nature of the climate where birds tend to move in large numbers and in different species from one park to another up in the skies and within the area park.
Guided nature walks
Walking safaris in the reserve are the best way to discover the park’s scenery landscape as well as hidden treasures of the world like colourful flower in thickets, reptiles, amphibians, insects, bird’s nest, important plants and the activity is led by guides who lead you to more ecosystem that can be missed on game drive. The activity brings you close to the park and its ecosystem and vegetations providing clean air breath to tourists.
Culture encounter
The reserve is surrounded by the local sambaru people where tourists get to interact with them and get amazed by their ways of life like the unique culture and traditions .Tourists learn how to make traditional jewellery ,cattle herding and other culturaal activities which you can engage in .The Samburu people are also cattle gathers and can be seen on watering camels along the river which is a watery provision for diversity of wildlife species in the reserve at all times.
Best time to visit the reserve.
The best time to visit Shaba National Reserve is during the dry season that typically falls between June and October. During this period, the weather is pleasant with clear skies and minimal rainfall. The dry season offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities as animals congregate around water sources, providing enhanced visibility and increased chances of spotting a wide range of species. However, to the birders, the best time to view the various bird species is in wet seasons where it has a variety of birds and accommodation is always cheap due to inadequate safaris in the wet seasons.
How to access Shaba national reserve
The reserve can be accessed by both road and air transport as way to reach the reserve depending on what the tourists prefer.
Road transport
The road transport is the commonly used transport means during safaris in east Africa due to its provision of different experiences of the roads, forests on the way to the destinations. The reserve is located 355km north of Nairobi if the tourist is in Nairobi or any other park and you can have a self-drive with your itinerary in a 4×4 wheeled vehicle taking you around 4 hours and 33 mins to reach your destination from Nairobi city.
By air transport.
The parks have flight charters between that are booked by tour operators as part of the tour package and domestic flights from Nairobi, Wilson airport which is 6kmsouth of Nairobi therefore flights to the reserve can be booked by one of these carriers like air Kenya, safari link which takes you 45 to 60 minutes to access the reserve.
Shaba national reserve accommodation
Joy’s camp
Joy’s camp is 26km east of the Natorbe Gate of Shaba National Reserve which is a remote tented camp named after the late naturalist Joy Adamson who camped at this spot while working with predators here making it one of the very few accommodation options in Shaba. It has ten large tents stretching along a crescent of woodland, cupping a permanent swamp in Shaba’s south eastern corner. It offers 10 palatial Bedouin style tents gleam with soft fabric and glass details with seeming to breathe relaxation and perfectly spaced in shady trees 1km stretch to buffalo grazed marsh.
Sarova Shaba game lodge.
The lodge is located in a natural oasis in Shaba National Reserve offering complete serenity amidst of wild and beautiful surroundings. It is a unique safari experience that fill your every sense with the sights and sounds of nature all around you.
The lodge offers guests an authentic safari experience, providing comfortable accommodation in a tranquil setting near the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro river. This unique safari lodge stands out for its pioneering spirit and innovative design with 85 woody rooms all having terraces and all rooms and the restaurant and bar overlook the river. The camp is accessible by either road or air and daily flights are available with Air Kenya and Safari links from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, landing either at Kalama, Oryx or Buffalo airstrip. If travelling by road, the drive is approximately 6 hours from Nairobi.
Lion’s Cave Camp
The rooms are for non-smoking people only and at the guests’ service, there is a front desk which works 24/7. There is a garden next to the hotel, a bar by the hotel with a broad assortment of beverages and a private beach and aaccommodation staff speaks English. Every guest can use facilities such as minibar, kitchenette, ironing facilities, free toiletries, dining table, outdoor furniture, outdoor dining area. The camp also offers a lot of rooms with mountain view, landmark view, view on the river.
Silver springs hotel
Silver Springs Hotel is located in Bugolobi town along Port Bell Road with immediate access to nightlife, dining, business, shopping and cultural diversions and the hotel is just a few minutes’ drive from city centre. We have ultra-modern facilities that leave our customers smiling with full satisfaction with experienced team dedicated to delivering memorable hospitality to all customers.
Grand hotel isiolo
The rooms are for non-smoking people only and guests can order delivery food and drinks right into their rooms. There is a parking for motor transport and the administrator at the reception desk works 24 hours. There is a restaurant which serves delicious dishes and various beverages and guests can pay for services using bank cards namely; Visa and Mastercard and the accommodation staff is fluent in English.