situated on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River
A true oasis in the hot, dry Shaba climate
The Sarova Shaba Lodge can be accessed from Nairobi by air (45-minute flight) or 4-wheel drive car (5 hours). The lodge is set in a green oasis alongside the Uaso Nyiro River – a beautiful location among the arid northern reaches of Kenya.
The camp has been designed to maximise views of the river and reserve, with streams and lush vegetation intertwining between the buildings. The rooms are in two-storey chalets and are very spacious, includong a large bed, en-suite bathroom, mini bar and ceiling fan. In addition to the 80 standard rooms there are four executive suites that have their own lounge, and one Born Free suite which has a lounge and private jacuzzi. The standard rooms can become inter-connected which is very useful for families and groups. The restaurant is raised on stilts overlooking the pool and river and serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner. For special nights the lodge will set up a ‘Boma Dinner’ which includes al fresco dining, bonfire and a bar all set within a clearing in the gardens.
The Shaba and Samburu National Reserves offer a different flavour of safari than that of the Mara or other parks in Kenya. The Special Five animals that can be seen in this area include the Gerenuk, the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zabra, Somali Ostrich and Beisa Oryx. Back at the Sarova Shaba Lodge, the facilities on-site include a refreshing, free-form swimming pool, massage tent, gift shop and a special spot by the river where you can watch the crocodiles being fed left-overs (nothing goes to waste!).
During my visit to this lodge, I was able to take part in a sundowner with drinks and barbecue alongside the river – it was all set up for us in the reserve but out of the camp itself. As we watched the sun set, our guide, a member of the Samburu tribe, shared with us the fascinating culture and history of the Maa-speaking tribes. Sarova are only too happy to arrange this experience for anyone staying at the Shaba Lodge. The other stand-out features I experienced during my stay was the friendly, helpful staff, the spaciousness of the rooms which were well-appointed and clean, and the variety of food on offer. Oh, and not forgetting that you need to make sure your shut your room door while you are out, otherwise the resident monkeys may pay a visit!
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Best places to stay in Samburu
Samburu Trip Inspiration
When to go to Kenya
Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.
February
February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.
March
Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.
April
April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.
May
The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.
June
June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.
July
July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.
August
The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.
September
Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.
October
October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.
November
November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.
December
The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.
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