From Dream to Adventure: Your Complete Safari Planning Roadmap
Step 1: 📖 Decide Why You Want to Visit Shaba
Start by defining your travel goals:
- Looking for unique wildlife (Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe)?
- Want a quiet alternative to crowded parks?
- Interested in camping or remote adventure?
- Drawn by Joy Adamson’s conservation legacy?
Understanding your priorities will guide your decisions about when to go, where to stay, and how to get there.
Step 2: 🗓️ Choose the Right Time of Year
| Goal | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Big Game Viewing | June–October |
| Birdwatching | November–April |
| Green Season Photography | April–May, November |
| Budget Travel | April, May, November |
| Family Safaris | July, August, December |
Consider weather, road conditions, and availability when selecting dates.
Step 3: 🛏️ Choose Where to Stay
Lodge Options:
- Sarova Shaba Game Lodge – riverside luxury
- Joy’s Camp – exclusive, historic tented lodge
Camping:
- Special campsites only (advance booking required)
- Bring all gear, hire rangers, and plan to be fully self-sufficient
Book accommodations at least 1–3 months in advance, especially for dry season.
Step 4: 🚗 Decide on Transport
Option A: Self-Drive
- 4×4 required, especially during rains
- Distance from Nairobi: ~320 km (6–7 hours via Isiolo)
- Refuel in Nanyuki or Isiolo
Option B: Fly-In Safari
- Daily flights from Wilson Airport (Nairobi) to Samburu or Buffalo Springs airstrip
- Lodge transfer (30–45 min) arranged in advance
Option C: Private Transfer
- Tour companies offer chauffeured trips from Nairobi or Nanyuki
Tip: For flexibility and cost savings in groups, consider renting a safari 4×4 with driver-guide.
Step 5: 💳 Budget for Entry & Other Costs
Entry Fees (per day):
- Kenyan Citizens: Ksh 500
- Residents: Ksh 1,000
- Non-Residents: ~$70 USD (check latest)
Camping Fees:
- Public camping: Ksh 500–1,000/day
- Booking fee: Ksh 7,500 (flat per campsite)
- Ranger escort: Ksh 1,500 per ranger/day (2 required)
Total cost varies widely depending on group size, lodging, and travel mode.
Step 6: 🎒 Prepare Your Packing List
- Neutral-colored clothing
- Sturdy shoes, hat, sunglasses
- Insect repellent & sunscreen
- Binoculars & camera
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Water bottle & snacks
- Personal medications
- Rain gear (Apr–May, Nov)
If camping: tents, cooking gear, food, water, power bank, ranger supplies
Step 7: 📱 Confirm All Bookings
- Accommodation (get confirmation receipt)
- Transport (vehicle or flight)
- Ranger escort if camping
- Campsite booking if needed
- Local guide (optional but highly recommended)
- Entry time at park gates (open 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Step 8: 🛣️ Travel to Shaba
If Driving:
- Leave Nairobi by 6–7 AM
- Route: Nairobi → Thika → Nanyuki → Isiolo → Archer’s Post → Shaba Gate
- Stop at Equator line in Nanyuki and refuel in Isiolo
If Flying:
- Arrive at Wilson Airport 1–1.5 hours before your flight
- Confirm pickup at airstrip by your lodge or guide
Step 9: 🚪 Enter the Reserve
- Pay entry fees at the gate (cash or card—check what’s accepted)
- Show ID/passport and booking confirmation
- Register your ranger team if camping
- Get a map (or use offline GPS/tracks.me app)
- Confirm mobile reception is limited inside
Step 10: 🦁 Enjoy Your Shaba Experience
- Plan early morning and late afternoon game drives
- Watch the Ewaso Nyiro River for elephant and birdlife
- Visit volcanic rock formations and palm-lined oases
- If interested, arrange a cultural visit to a local Samburu village
- Record wildlife sightings or track photography spots
- Keep a safe distance from animals and follow ranger guidance
Step 11: 🧼 Leave No Trace
- Pack out all trash if camping
- Avoid plastic or loud music
- Do not feed or interact with wildlife
- Leave the site better than you found it
Step 12: 🗺️ Extend or Combine
Shaba is part of a trio of reserves. You can combine your trip with:
- Samburu National Reserve – better known for elephants and leopards
- Buffalo Springs – known for hot springs and open savannah
- Meru National Park – further east, famous for rhino sanctuaries
- Laikipia Plateau or Mount Kenya – accessible via Nanyuki
Step 13: 📥 After Your Trip
- Share your feedback with the lodge or reserve office
- Post photos or sightings in conservation forums
- Support local conservation or Samburu community programs
- Plan your next northern Kenya adventure!
❓ Additional FAQs for Visiting Shaba National Reserve
🔍 Is mobile network coverage available inside Shaba?
Answer: Mobile signal in Shaba is limited and patchy. Safaricom offers the best coverage, especially near the Ewaso Nyiro River and around major lodges like Sarova Shaba. However, you should not rely on internet access inside the reserve. Download maps, documents, and entertainment offline before arriving.
🧭 Do I need a guide or can I explore on my own?
Answer: If you’re staying at a lodge, guided game drives are included or easily arranged. If you’re self-driving or camping, hiring a guide is not mandatory (except for rangers if camping), but highly recommended for spotting wildlife and staying oriented on unmarked tracks. Local guides also add cultural and ecological insight.
💳 Can I pay park fees with a credit card or MPESA?
Answer: Some park gates may accept card or MPESA, but don’t count on it. Always carry cash in Kenyan Shillings to pay for entry fees, ranger escort, and camping charges. ATMs are available in Isiolo and Nanyuki before reaching the reserve.
🛑 Are there any restrictions or rules inside the park?
Answer: Yes, Shaba follows KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) regulations. Key rules include:\n- No off-road driving (except in guided tours with permit)
- No walking safaris unless accompanied by armed rangers
- No drones or loud music
- No feeding or approaching wildlife
- Speed limit inside the reserve is 40 km/h
🧒 Is Shaba suitable for children?
Answer: Yes, but with some caution. Lodges like Sarova Shaba are family-friendly, offering child-safe pools, early dinners, and cultural visits. However, there are no playgrounds or clinics nearby, and due to remote location and wild surroundings, constant supervision is essential. For families with very young children, a lodge stay is preferable to camping.
⛺ Are there any public picnic sites or rest areas inside Shaba?
Answer: There are no designated picnic spots or rest areas with amenities. Most visitors stop at shaded viewpoints or return to their lodge for meals. If self-driving, you must be entirely self-sufficient—including your own shade, food, water, and waste disposal.
🔌 Is electricity available at campsites or lodges?
Answer: Lodges typically offer 24/7 electricity, often powered by solar or generators. Campsites, however, have no power infrastructure—you’ll need to bring your own power bank, solar panel, or backup battery to charge cameras and phones.
📅 Can I visit Shaba in one day?
Answer: It’s possible but not ideal. The drive from Nairobi takes 6–7 hours, leaving little time for exploration. Shaba is best experienced over 2–3 days to allow for relaxed game drives, river visits, and time to appreciate the landscapes. Day trips are more feasible if you’re already staying nearby in Samburu or Buffalo Springs.
🧼 Are there toilets or bathrooms inside the park?
Answer: Lodges have full facilities. Special campsites do not have toilets, running water, or bathrooms. You must bring your own setup (portable toilet or shovel for burying waste) and practice strict Leave No Trace ethics.
🌅 Can I do a sundowner or bush dinner in Shaba?
Answer: Yes, but only if arranged through a lodge or with KWS permission. These activities are best done at safe, scenic locations near the river or rocky viewpoints, always with ranger escort. Sundowners in Shaba are especially magical due to the dramatic volcanic landscape.