Shaba
National Reserve
Background
Information
Shaba is part of three small adjoining savanna national reserves
that lie on either side of the Northern Ewaso Ngiro River,
340km North, North East of Nairobi (Samburu, Buffalo Springs
and Shaba). They were established in 1948 as the Samburu Isiolo
Game Reserve, part of the once extensive Marsabit National
Reserve. Now they are managed by their respective county councils,
Samburu and Isiolo.
The
reserve consists of a low lying, semi arid plain on the southern
bank of the Northern Ewaso Ngiro river. It lies 9 km east
of buffalo springs national reserve, from which it is separated
by the main road from isiolo to marsabit. The reserve was
gazetted in 1974 and is administered by the Isiolo CC. 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.
Climate:
The climate is hot and dry. Rainfall averages 250-300mm per
year.
HOW
TO GET THERE
Roads:
The reserves are reached by tar road via Isiolo from Nairobi,
a total distance of 343 km.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Scenic
landscape and riverine forest, Permanent Springs. Shaba has
17 springs at which animals congregate during the dry season,
Reticulated giraffe, Somalia ostrich, Grevy's zebra, Joy Adamson's
monument.
COMMON
VEGETATION
The
vegetation in the reserve includes; thicket with patches of
Acacia tortilis woodland; riverine woodland and forest
dominated by patches of Acacia elatior and
doum palm, Hyphaene coriacea; bushland and open areas
of lava rock with scattered grass and shrubs, dominated by
communties of Commiphora spp. with Ipomoea, Grewia,
Acacia senegal and Salvadora; and Sporobolus spicatus
alkaline grasslands dotted with springs and swamps.
Park entry fees |
