Shaba National Reserve Safari Travel Guide

Shaba National Reserve

Size

239 km² (92mi²)

Founded

1974

Best time to visit

June to September | January to February

A secluded northern reserve with remarkable landscapes

Shaba National Park has a striking landscape of dry bushlands, hills and mountains. While wildlife is less abundant than in other parks, game drives along the Ewasa Nyiro River offer chances to see elephants, crocodiles, hippos, buffalo, lions, leopards, and the Northern Five. With 390 bird species, many unique to the area, it’s a paradise for birdwatchers.

A closeup of a desert rose in Shaba National Reserve

When To Go
Tours
Why to go
Things to do
Wildlife
Where to stay
Location

Shaba National Reserve: Enjoy the solitude of this beautiful reserve

The Shaba National Reserve, Samburu National Park, and Buffalo Springs National Reserve together form an incredible ecosystem in northern Kenya.

These three reserves have no fences, which allows wildlife to move freely between them.

The Shaba National Reserve is one of the most northerly parks in the country and one of the less visited areas in Kenya.

Located off the main tourist paths, it offers absolute seclusion in the fascinating landscapes north of Mount Kenya.

What makes Shaba National Reserve special?

The reserve is better known for its landscape than its wildlife. If you have already seen the Big Five, you can take the time to enjoy the fascinating vegetation and the lesser-known animal species living in this region.

Shaba National Reserve is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges and intersected by the Ewasa Nyiro River, which runs along the northern border.

The vegetation of the plain consists of grasslands, doum palms, and acacia trees, while along the river, you will find a riparian zone of tall trees.

Game drives along the tree-lined river, springs and swamps offer the best wildlife spotting in the reserve.

The Ewasa Nyiro River is an essential lifeline for many plants and animals in this dry landscape. The animals here have adapted to the arid climate and developed unique characteristics.

Which animals can you see in Shaba National Reserve?

The highlights include the Somali Ostriches with blue-coloured legs, the Reticulated Giraffes with distinct block-like patterns, the elegant Beisa Oryx with majestic horns, the Grevy’s zebras with significantly thinner stripes and more prominent ears, and the long-necked Gerenuks.

You can also find elephants, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs and leopards along the riverbanks, as well as 390 bird species.

View interactive map

Made famous by Hollywood

Parts of “Out of Africa” and “Born Free” were filmed in the reserve, capturing the iconic and beautiful landscapes.

Home to the Northern Five

Five species unique to northern Kenya are the Reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, and gerenuk.

A birdwatching paradise

Shaba is an excellent year-round destination for birdwatching, particularly for observing resident dry-country species.

Oryx in an arid are with mountains in the background.

Shaba is known for its beautiful scenery and the Northern Five, including the Oryx antelope.

Zebras walking across dry landscape in Shaba in northern Kenya.

Shaba is a mostly dry area in northern Kenya. It's great for Kenya returnees who are looking to leave the world behind.

A bee eater bird sitting on a thin branch

The area provides habitat for beautiful birdlife like Bee Eaters.

Lions hidden in the thicket in Shaba National Reserve.

Spotting wildlife in Shaba can be tricky - but the animals are there.

WHEN TO GO

Best time to go to Shaba National Reserve

Kenya’s location on the equator results in two dry and two rainy seasons instead of winter and summer.

The best time to visit is during the dry seasons, from June to September and January to February. The effects of the dry periods are even more apparent in this semi-arid climate. Consequently, the wildlife gathers near the Ewaso Nyiro River, creating a higher concentration of animals.

Moreover, the sparse vegetation makes wildlife viewing easier. The mildest temperatures occur from June to September, while January and February can be hotter.

The rainy seasons occur from November to December and March to May, with November and April receiving the highest rainfall.

Dry Season

June to September

Ideal for superb wildlife spotting conditions

Rainy Season

March to May

Best time to experience stunning green landscapes

Experience Shaba National Reserve

Unique experiences in Kenya designed by experts

Tailor-Made Safaris

Price on request (RQ)

Why to go

Experience Kenya’s beautiful landscapes in solitude

Wildlife numbers in Shaba National Reserve are lower than in other parks.

Still, you can spot the Northern Five, and there is a chance to see four out of the Big Five.

If you are a bird-lover, you can also enjoy spotting dry-country birds, including species found in Ethiopia and Somalia.

Consequently, Shaba is for people who enjoy being in vast wildernesses, and it suits seasoned safari-goers who wish to explore more of Kenya’s wild places.

Moreover, you can get your wildlife fix by visiting neighbouring Samburu National Reserve and Buffalo Springs National Reserve, known for their higher wildlife numbers.

An elephant walking through the water of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Shaba National Reserve.

‘You should definitely visit Shaba National Park in conjunction with Samburu National Reserve on a northern safari because the landscapes and birdlife are incredible.’

Emmanuel | Kenya Safari Guide

A gerenuk stands on its hind legs eating from a tall bush, a safari vehicle in the background.

Classic Game Drives

See the Northern Five like the Gerenuk antelope in Shaba.

Things to do

Experience the unique wildlife and beautiful scenery

Shaba National Reserve’s main activity revolves around spotting animals and birds while exploring the reserve’s beautiful topography.

Other activities include:

A walking safari
A photography safari
A birdwatching safari
Visiting Buffalo Springs & Samburu National Reserves

Grevy Zebra

This species of zebra only occurs in Kenya’s northern parks.

Vulturine Guinea Fowl

These fascinating birds roam Shaba in flocks.

A close up of a crocodile in the morning light

Crocodiles

Spot crocodiles on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Gerenuk

Because of their long neck, gerenuk are also known as giraffe antelope.

WILDLIFE IN SHABA NATIONAL RESERVE

This semi-arid reserve is home to unique fauna and flora

Wildlife densities are generally low, but you can see four out of the Big Five, except for rhinos. The reserve has an array of birdlife, including the near-threatened Williams’s lark.

However, the defining characteristic of the park is the stunning landscapes with unique vegetation, with doum palms being the most iconic.

Wildlife highlights not mentioned already include:

Cheetah
Spotted hyena
Jackals, Bat-eared foxes
Aardvarks
Lesser and Greater Kudu
Impala and Grant’s gazelle
Vulturine guineafowl
White-bellied bustard
Martial eagle, Hunter’s sunbird

Where to stay in Shaba National Reserve

Sarova Shaba Lodge

Location

The Shaba National Reserve is in northern Kenya, 355km from Nairobi.

You have two options to get there: drive for 7 hours or take a chartered flight that will take approximately one hour.

If you drive, you’ll have the chance to visit several world-class parks, reserves, and conservancies along the way. Once you arrive, you can enter through the Natorbe Gate (West).

The reserve has few accommodation options except for Sarova Shaba Lodge. Therefore, if you plan to visit Shaba National Reserve, you can also overnight at Buffalo Springs National Reserve’s Ashnil Samburu Lodge and Simba Lodge.