Samburu, Shaba & Meru Reserves/Parks
Both Samburu National Reserve and Shaba National Reserve lie north of Nairobi whilst Meru National Park lies north east of the capital. They are not as well known and thus less crowded than the southern parks and reserves.
Samburu National Reserve with its dramatic, rugged landscape, interspersed with doum palm trees is home to the colourful Samburu people. The wildlife found here includes species such as the endangered Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuks and the Somali ostrich which favour the semi-arid north. Huge herds of elephants can be seen quenching their thirst in the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Shaba National Reserve, lies to the east of Samburu, and is well known as the area where Joy Adamson released her hand- reared leopard Penny into the wild. Vulturine guinea fowl with their striking blue plumage are frequently seen here as well as Grevy’s zebras and other wildlife as found in Samburu National Reserve.
Meru National Park is a true African wilderness. It became famous as the area where George and Joy Adamson reared the lion cub Elsa and successfully released her into the wild. The landscape is varied with grasslands, swamps and riverine forests. A large variety of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, reticulated giraffes and many predators such as lions and cheetahs are to be found here as well as a sanctuary for both black and white rhino.