My first visit to the Masai Mara, Samburu and Shaba National Reserves

A tale of two landscapes during the wet season

Coralie
Coralie
Travel Co-ordinator
Published on
08 Dec 2017
Updated on
25 Apr 2025
Masai Mara Sunrise

When planning a safari in Kenya, it is great to experience the range of geography on offer!

The Masai Mara and Samburu, along with neighbouring Shaba, are excellent examples of how different the national reserves in Kenya can be. This article shows those key geographical differences, as well as revealing a side many tourists will not see - the rainy season.

Samburu and Shaba National Reserves

Samburu Airstrip
Samburu airstrip
Samburu Rocky
Rocky landscape

Located in the northern reaches of Kenya, The Samburu and Shaba reserves are one of the lower regions at around 800m above sea level. They make up part of Kenya's expanse of desert and semi-desert areas and provides a home to the Samburu people, one of the Maa speaking tribes. Across Samburu and Shaba, the scrub and brush horizon is broken by rocky outcrops and escarpments. The Uaso Nyiro river cuts through this reserve and runs along the edge of the Shaba National Reserve.

Samburu From The Air
Samburu from above
Samburu Skyline
Samburu skyline

From the air you can see clearly the abundance of acacia and thorn trees that makes up the scrub vegetation that attracts so much wildlife to Samburu. During the rains, the attractive pink desert rose makes an appearance, bringing a little more variety in colour across the landscape. In the Shaba, there a numerous isolated springs which allows much bigger plants, such as docum palms, to break out of the grow. During the wet season, the plant life is richer and more green, but the sandy soils, ranging from bright white to deep orange, show these are still desert regions.

Samburu Vegetation
Shaba Vegetation

Masai Mara

Masai Mara View
Lush Mara landscape
Masai Mara Landscape
Plains for miles

The Masai Mara has a much higher elevation than Samburu and Shaba, rising to 1500- 2170 metres above sea level. The landscape is covered by grassy plains and dotted with the iconic acacia tree and clumps of brush. The contrast with the northern desert regions is stark, particularly during the wet season, as rich green grass covers the whole horizon, and the soil is more mud and dirt than sand.

Masai Mara Rains
The welcome rains
Masai Mara Water
Full rivers

The rains are very welcome in the Mara, and life flourishes. You can expect to see many infant animals around as they take advantage of the abundant food supply. There is no migration at this time (November/December), so it is actually a better time to see the elephant in particular, as the noisy wildebeest herds tend to send them into hiding!

Whatever time of year you visit the Masai Mara, Shaba or Samburu reserves, you are sure to be taken in by the contrasting landscapes and fascinating plants and animals that inhabit them.

To arrange a Samburu or Masai Mara safari, call our experts on 01768 603 715 or fill in our enquiry form.

Speak to a Kenya expert today

and start planning your tailor-made vacation

Call 888 445-2912
or
Our Kenya Experts
Ali 1

Alistair

Otti profile pic

Ottilie

Tamara profile

Tamara

Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

June, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024