Shaba National Reserve – Wild, Remote and Cinematic
Shaba is the least known of the three reserves on the Ewaso Nyiro River – and that's exactly what makes it exciting. Fewer vehicles, dramatic landscapes of lava rock and an almost mystical atmosphere define this protected area in northern Kenya.
Why Shaba National Reserve is special
Raw & untouched
Safari without many lodges or vehicles.
Dramatic scenery
Dark hills, red earth, doum palms along the river.
Northern Kenyan wildlife
Reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, oryx & gerenuk.
A perfect match for Samburu
Ideal as a combination, but noticeably quieter.
Where is Shaba National Reserve?
Shaba lies in northern Kenya, east of Samburu and Buffalo Springs. The three reserves border each other directly and are separated only by the Ewaso Nyiro River. From Nairobi you can reach Shaba by car (approx. 6–7 hours) or by domestic flight to Samburu.
The combination of a stark, volcanic landscape and typical northern Kenyan wildlife makes Shaba unique. Sunsets over the lava hills are especially striking, when elephants or giraffes appear as silhouettes on the horizon.
Best time to visit
Shaba can be visited all year round, but it's best during the dry seasons from July to October and December to March. The bush is thinner then, animals are easier to spot and the tracks are in good condition.
Who is Shaba ideal for?
- For experienced safari travellers
- For those seeking peace and independent travellers
- For photographers who love dramatic landscapes
What you get:
- Very little tourism
- Northern Kenya's species in a wild setting
- Intense moments in nature without the crowds
What you DON’T get:
- No migration
- No high predator density like in the Masai Mara
- Fewer comfort options
Shaba vs. Buffalo Springs – the insider-tip duel
- Shaba: Even quieter, rougher, less infrastructure
- Buffalo Springs: A few more lodges, similar wildlife
- For maximum seclusion: Shaba is the first choice
Shaba is safari for explorers. Wild, quiet and dramatic in its scenery – perfect for anyone who wants to travel off the well-known routes and experience northern Kenya's special wildlife.
Common questions
What does SafariMarkt offer?
SafariMarkt is your neutral point of contact when you want to find out which safari in Kenya really suits you. We don’t sell trips – instead, we help you gain clarity with a carefully designed questionnaire, tailored to your travel style, your wishes and your everyday life.
We have been returning to Kenya again and again since 2014. We know the differences between the parks, types of travel and seasons – and how differently people tick on safari.
Whether you prefer to travel light or are looking for a bit more comfort: we show you what fits – and also what probably doesn’t.
How does the safari questionnaire at SafariMarkt.de work?
Our questionnaire is your personal companion on the way to the right safari – honest, calm and surprisingly in-depth. Instead of flooding you with offers, we ask you targeted questions about your travel style, your preferences, your limits and your inner expectations – including some you may never have asked yourself.
It’s not just about budget or length of trip, but about how you want to feel on safari: active or observing, secluded or sociable, open to new things or preferring to feel safely looked after.
The questionnaire learns every day, is regularly refined and is based on real experience in Kenya since 2014. At the end, you get an honest, personal assessment: what suits you well – and what you should rather avoid.
Is SafariMarkt free?
Yes – SafariMarkt is and will remain completely free for you.
You pay nothing for the questionnaire, the results or our recommendations.
Why?
Because our goal is not to sell you something – but to help you make a good decision for yourself. You get honest assessments, a neutral overview and clear guidance – with no pressure to book and no hidden fees.
How trustworthy is SafariMarkt?
SafariMarkt has no sales agenda – and that is exactly what makes us credible.
We respond solely to your answers in the questionnaire and, based on them, give you an honest assessment: what suits you – and what doesn’t. We don’t recommend any providers, earn nothing from bookings and deliberately stay independent.
Our experience comes from more than 10 years of travelling through Kenya. We know the parks, regions and types of travel – and how differently people tick when they go on safari.
Who is behind SafariMarkt?
SafariMarkt is run by a small, independent team that has been travelling regularly to Kenya for over 12 years – not as tourists, but as people with a real connection to the country. We know the National Parks, the hidden corners away from the classic routes, and the realities of the people who live there.
Our strength is connection: between travellers and landscape, between wishes and reality, between experience and openness. We are well connected, have stayed curious and place great value on respect – for nature, animals and communities.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, feel free to contact us directly.