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.

WILDLIFE
Reptiles:
Crocodile, Python, Puff Adder, Gecko.
Insects/arthopods:
Grasshopper, Beetle, Buttefly, Scorpion.
Major Animals:
Baboon, Olive; Buffalo, African; BushBaby; Bushbuck; Caracal; Cheetah; Dik-dik, Kirk's; Duiker, Bush; Eland; Elephant, African; Gazelle, Grant's; Giraffe, Reticulated; Klipspringer; Leopard; Mongoose, Banded; Monkey, Sykes; Oryx, Beisa; Warthog; Waterbuck, Common; Zebra, Common; Zebra, Grevy's.

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.

Sweetwaters
A sheltered oasis, clustered around a waterhole and set in the pristine calm of its own private reserve, Sweetwaters Tented Camp is in a class of its own. Abounding with wildlife, unfettered by the more rigorous strictures of the Kenyan National Parks and designed to offer a charming blend of under canvas ambiance and uncompromising luxury, it has long been the preferred retreat of wilderness and safari lovers alike. One of only four private game reserves in Kenya, Sweetwaters excels in the provision of privileged seclusion and private game viewing. Thanks to its private status it also allows such unforgettable pleasures as night game drives, guided bush walks and both horse or camel riding across its game-teaming plains.

History
Built in the 1970’s, the Camp’s main building was originally the residence of the ranch manager of this private reserve. Both the Sweetwaters Game Reserve and the sumptuous Ol Pejeta Ranch were once the private domain of famed multi-millionaire, Adnan Kashoggi.

Habitat
The reserve comprises extensive savannah grasslands and the riverine forests that border the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Ol Pejeta House at the Sweetwaters Sanctuary
One of Mt Kenya region’s best kept secret, originally the home of Lord Tom Delamere, Ol Pejeta House is a beautiful private house set within the pristine calm of the Sweetwaters Sanctuary

Attractions
The camp enjoys spectacular views over the alternately lush and golden plains towards the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya.

Because the Camp has its own private waterhole and saltlick, guests may enjoy unprecedented close encounters with the wildlife in the sanctuary of their natural habitat.

Diversions
Include both day and night game drives in our fleet of open-sided 4WD safari vehicles, nature walks in the company of our resident naturalist, bird-watching, camel-trekking, lion tracking, beauty treatments and a wide range of al fresco dining experiences.

The camp has a luxuriant swimming pool with its own poolside bar.
Conference facilities
The camp can be adapted to form an exclusive private conference centre with full communications and organizational backup and a wide range of delegate-tailored events.

Weddings
An exquisite wedding venue, Sweetwaters offers the ultimate blend of sublime location, superb catering, unique accommodation and "Out of Africa" mystique.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Established in cooperation with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute for Conservation Projects for Chimpanzees Throughout the World, the 1 km sq sanctuary is a non-profit-making venture and the only sanctuary of its kind in Kenya. A gentle and charming diversion for children and adults alike, it offers visitors the unique opportunity of taking a boat ride on the Ewaso Nyiro River, which flows through the centre of the sanctuary where 26 orphaned chimps enjoy the peace and harmony of their natural environment.

Sweetwaters wildlife
Includes: "The Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) plus an exciting catalogue of; giraffe, zebra, eland, oryx, waterbuck, Grant’s gazelle, Thompson’s gazelle, cheetah, silver-backed jackal, hartebeest and baboon. The reserve also boasts several hundred bird species.

Resident wildlife star
The camp also hosts a tame black rhino called "Morani", rescued from the wild.

Wildlife ratio
The reserve has the highest ratio of game to area of any park or reserve in Kenya.

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