Shaba National
Reserve
Shaba, Samburu, and Buffalo are a trio of ecologically similar, unfenced
reserves that share common borders. Despite being the largest of the three
reserves, there is less wildlife in Shaba, and most tours based in the reserve
conduct game drives in Buffalo Springs. Tourist traffic is very low, but the
scenery is magnificent.
Wildlife &
Animals – Shaba National Reserve
Shaba is not
a great wildlife destination. Although connected to Samburu, which offers
excellent wildlife viewing, animal densities are low in Shaba. Four of
the Big Five can be encountered, but rhinos are absent. The park is
home to some of Kenya’s dry country specials including beisa oryx, lesser
kudu, reticulated giraffe, Gravy’s zebra, and gerenuk.
The Ewaso Nyiro River is a good place to look for big Nile crocodiles.
Shaba lacks the wildlife densities of its neighboring reserves, Samburu
and Buffalo Springs, but all the same, species are present. Of the Big Five, and only rhino is absent. Most
likely to be seen on a game drive are antelopes, which might include Thomson's and Grant's gazelle and Beisa oryx. There are some enormous Nile crocodiles in the river.
Weather &
Climate - Shaba National
Reserve
You’ll
appreciate the sunshine during the Dry season (June to September). But the heat
does tend to build to uncomfortable levels at the close of the period when the
rains are due. The Wet season (October to May) is really three seasons in one:
starting with the ‘short rains’, then a brief dry spell, then the ‘long rains’
(mostly showers) that starts in March.
Best Time to Visit - Shaba National Reserve
The Dry
season (June to September) and the short dry patch that interrupts the Wet
season (October to May) is a good time to check out the local animals. Another
plus is that the absence of water means a greatly reduced risk of malaria. You
can still visit the park in the wetter months, but heavy rain can potentially
derail your safari plans.
Wildlife
Highlights
Shaba is
home to several dry-country adapted mammals that don’t occur in most Kenyan
parks. The reticulated giraffe can be seen loping around the
reserve. Beisa oryx is particularly well adapted to
arid conditions. The gerenuk, with its elongated neck, stands on
its hind legs to reach the higher branches of acacia bushes. Both the
common Burchell's
zebra and the
bigger Grevy's zebra can be found alongside each
other.
Best Time for
Wildlife Viewing - Shaba National Reserve
Shaba and
its neighboring reserves tend to be dry, which means they can be visited any
time of the year. However, the Dry season (June to October) is recommended for
the best wildlife viewing. The vegetation thins out at this time of year and
animals will tend to hang around the few remaining water sources. It mostly
rains during April, and wildlife viewing can sometimes be more challenging
then.
