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Shaba National Reserve Safari

3 days · From $1290 per person · Easy pace · 2-6 guests

Overview

Shaba sits just east of Samburu across the Ewaso Ng’iro river, the reserve where Joy Adamson raised and released Elsa the lioness’s descendants after Born Free, and it’s arguably even quieter than Samburu itself. Volcanic outcrops rise out of dry plains, natural springs feed patches of genuine oasis greenery, and the same arid-adapted species list as Samburu, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, shows up with even fewer other vehicles around. A short, easy stay for anyone wanting the Samburu ecosystem at its quietest.

Highlights

  • The historical setting for Joy Adamson’s continued lion work after Born Free
  • Natural spring-fed oases breaking up the dry volcanic landscape
  • The same arid-adapted species list as Samburu, with even fewer visitors
  • Dramatic volcanic outcrop scenery unlike the flatter plains further south
  • A short, easy add-on to a Samburu itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Shaba

Road transfer (approx. 6 hrs) or scheduled flight into the Samburu airstrips. Afternoon game drive, evening at the lodge.

Day 2: Full day, springs and plains

Morning drive to the reserve’s natural springs, afternoon across the open volcanic plains.

Day 3: Departure

Final morning drive, breakfast, transfer to the airstrip or road for Nairobi.

What’s Included

  • 2 nights at a riverside lodge, full board
  • All game drives with a driver-guide
  • Shaba National Reserve entry fees

What’s Not Included

  • Flights to/from Kenya
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Drinks beyond the lodge’s included house selection
  • Gratuities for guide and lodge staff

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I do Shaba instead of Samburu, or with it?

With it, ideally, they share an ecosystem and border each other, so most guests combine a couple of nights in each rather than choosing only one.

Is Shaba’s wildlife different from Samburu’s?

Largely the same arid-adapted species list, the difference is visitor density and the volcanic, spring-fed scenery rather than a different set of animals.

Interested in the Shaba National Reserve Safari? Get in touch and we’ll help you plan it.

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