SHABA NATIONAL RESERVE

Shaba National reserve is one of the three (Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba) small adjoining savanna national reserves that lie on either side of the Northern Ewaso Ngiro River, 340km North, North East of Nairobi. They were established in 1948 as the Samburu Isiolo Game Reserve, part of Marsabit National Reserve. The reserve was gazetted in 1974.
On the southern bank of the Northern Ewaso Ngiro River lies a low lying, semi arid plain. It lies 9 km east of buffalo springs national reserve, from which it is separated by the main road from isiolo to marsabit. Its Northern section includes a 34km stretch of the Ewaso Ngiro river; here and elsewhere in the reserve are numerous springs and swampy areas, although some have bitter tasting water.
The starkly beautiful landscape is dominated by Shaba hill to the south, at the foot of which is a rugged area with steep ravines. The sandy soils are volcanic in origin. The climate is hot and dry. Rainfall averages 250-300mm per year.
The major attractions in the reserve include; the scenic landscape and riverine forest, Permanent Springs. Shaba has 17 springs at which animals congregate during the dry season, reticulated giraffe, Somalia ostrich, Gravy’s zebra and the Joy Adamson's monument.