Shaba National Reserve is where the renowned Born Free author Joy Adamson spent her final years. Shaba was subject of her final book Queen of Sheba. The reserve was also the location for the Reality Show Survivor Series of 2001, making it the first African destination to be featured on the Survivor.
The reserve takes its name from a massive cone of volcanic rock which dominates the region and evidence of the intensity of its upheaval is demonstrated by the formidable lava flow which the traveler has to cross to reach the reserve and the lodge.
Getting to Shaba Game Reserve
By Road:
It takes about 5 hours of driving to get to Shaba Reserve from Nairobi. The road is paved till Isiolo town leaving the rest of 75 kilometres on the gravel road.
By Air
There are daily flights between Nairobi, Samburu and Maasai Mara. Air transport takes 45 mins from the Nairobi Wilson Airport to Samburu air strip which is 15 kilometers from the camp. By road, its a 5 and a half hours drive from Nairobi.
Attractions at Shaba Game Reserve
Accommodation Options in Shaba Game Reserve
Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, Joys Camp
Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Together with the adjacent Samburu, and divided by the river Ewaso Nyiro, the three reserves form a very popular tourist destination because of the diverse wildlife populations they support. Unlike other wildlife areas in Kenya’s northern tourist circuit, the reserves, which are popularly known as the Samburu Ecosystem, sustain free ranging wildlife species both within the three reserves as well as far into community lands.
Getting to Bufallo Springs
By Road: From Nairobi through Nanyuki on a tarmac road to Isiolo, then a 22km murram road.
ByAir:
Buffalo Springs Airstrip is used by scheduled flights from Nairobi each day linking the reserves to other tourism destinations.
Attractions at Bufallo Springs
Wildlife - Besides normal species found elsewhere in Kenya, the area is a natural home to the five rare species known as the five northern species which are endemic to this area. They are Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and the gerenuk. Shaba is also the home for the highly endangered Williamson’s lark. All these rare species can only be found inside this game reserve.
Activities - Game viewing safari, nature walks, entertainment by pastoralist cultural dancers, and visits to cultural villages to get the experience of nomadic lifestyle in the community
Accommodation options at Bufallo
Samburu Simba Lodge.
Best time to visit Bufallo Springs Game Reserve
All the year round. Annual rainfalls range between 100mm to 300mm on average usually divided into two seasons, short rains in October/ November and long rains between February and May.
