Extend Your Safari: What to See and Do Near Shaba
While Shaba National Reserve offers a wild, scenic, and off-the-beaten-path safari experience, the surrounding region of Northern Kenya is packed with additional gems. From iconic game reserves to community-run conservation projects and river safaris, you’ll find that Shaba is the perfect base for a multi-destination adventure.
Here’s your complete guide to local and nearby attractions to enhance your trip to Shaba.
🐘 Samburu National Reserve: A Wild Icon Next Door
Location: Directly adjacent to Shaba, across the Ewaso Nyiro River
Distance: ~15–30 minutes by vehicle from most Shaba lodges
Highlights:
- Famous for its large elephant herds, often seen bathing in the river
- High chances of predator sightings, especially leopards and lions
- Home to the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk
- Rich cultural interactions with local Samburu communities
Ideal for a day trip or as a two-reserve combo safari with Shaba
🦓 Buffalo Springs National Reserve: A Quiet, Scenic Gem
Location: South of Samburu, accessible via shared gate system
Distance: ~45 minutes from Shaba by vehicle
Highlights:
- Open savannah and acacia woodland, with fewer vehicles than Samburu
- Natural crystal-clear hot springs near the western section
- Fantastic birdwatching, with hornbills, kingfishers, and bee-eaters
- Good chances of seeing cheetah, buffalo, and plains game
Great for landscape photography and peaceful, uncrowded game drives
🌊 Ewaso Nyiro River Safari: Shaba’s Lifeline
Location: Runs through all three reserves—Shaba, Samburu, and Buffalo Springs
Highlights:
- Observe elephants, crocodiles, and birds drawn to the river
- Scenic sundowner spots under doum palms
- Guided river walk safaris available through some lodges
- Cultural storytelling and picnic lunches by the water’s edge
The river connects the ecology and wildlife of the entire region—don’t miss a riverside drive or walk
🏞️ Northern Kenya Safari: Why It’s Unforgettable
What Makes It Special:
- Distinctive arid landscapes: red earth, volcanic hills, doum palms
- Rare species found nowhere else in Kenya
- Deep-rooted cultures: Samburu, Rendille, Turkana
- Fewer tourists, more authentic experiences
Recommended Extensions:
- Kalacha & Chalbi Desert (for off-roaders)
- Marsabit National Park (crater lakes and montane forest)
- Lake Turkana (UNESCO heritage site for the adventurous)
Northern Kenya is for explorers—perfect for photographers, repeat safari-goers, and cultural travelers
🐘 Reteti Elephant Sanctuary: Community Conservation in Action
Location: Namunyak Conservancy, ~2.5–3 hours north of Shaba by road
Highlights:
- First community-run elephant orphanage in Africa
- Home to rescued and rehabilitated baby elephants
- Visitors can observe feeding times and care routines
- Supports local Samburu communities and wildlife coexistence
How to Visit:
- Advance booking required (through Reteti or your safari operator)
- Combine with scenic drive through Namunyak Conservancy
A heartwarming stop that adds depth and meaning to your Shaba trip
🧭 Plan the Full Northern Kenya Safari Circuit
Top Parks to Include:
- Shaba National Reserve – for landscapes and peace
- Samburu National Reserve – for predators and elephants
- Buffalo Springs – for open savannah and hot springs
- Reteti Elephant Sanctuary – for community conservation
- Lake Turkana & Sibiloi – for culture and archaeology
- Marsabit National Park – for crater lakes and forest elephants
Suggested Route:
Nairobi → Shaba/Samburu → Reteti/Namunyak → Marsabit → Lake Turkana → Return via Isiolo or fly back
Give yourself 7–12 days for a full circuit safari through Kenya’s north
🌍 Final Word
Shaba National Reserve is just the beginning. With its proximity to Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and conservation hubs like Reteti, it’s easy to build an unforgettable northern safari that blends wildlife, culture, and off-the-grid beauty. Use Shaba as your launchpad—and let wild Kenya unfold around you.
Would you like a sample 7-day itinerary or map of this safari circuit next?