Sarova Shaba Game Lodge

Here are Sarova Shaba Game Lodge Resident Rates:

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge Rates

Sarova Shaba Prices / Rates (above)  are in KES, Per Person, Per Night
FB: Full Board (Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast)
Rates Exclude: Drinks, Samburu / Shaba Game Reserve Fees and other Extras

Sarova Shaba Child Policy:
Up to 6 years, Sharing with 1 or 2 Adults: FREE (Max: 2 Per Room)
7 – 12 years, Sharing with 1 or 2 Adults: 1 Child FREE, additional Children: 15% of Single Rate
13 – 17 years, Sharing with 1 or 2 Adults: 25% of Single Rate
Up to 17 years in own Room: 80% of applicable Single/Double/Triple Rate

Samburu National Reserve, 2023 Park Fees /
Samburu Buffalo Springs National Reserve Fees /
Samburu Shaba National Reserve Park Fees:

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge is in the Shaba National Reserve. This Reserve is part of a conglomeration of reserves in the Eastern Province, descending from Mt. Kenya, at the entrance to the vast scrub desert that reaches beyond L.Turkana, are situated Samburu National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve and the third contiguous National Reserve, Shaba.

Deep in the arid North Country of Kenya; situated across the Great North Road, is Shaba National Reserve which forms part of a trio of reserves quite different from the ones found in Kenya. Shaba takes its name from Mount Shaba (1525 meters), a volcanic mountain that became extinct around 5,000 years ago and lies on the border of the reserve.

The Ewaso Nyiro River whose origin is the northern slope of Mt. Kenya around the Nanyuki Township borders all the reserves. The river’s name is derived from the local community’s language. It means the river of brown or muddy water.

This is the only lodge in the 239 sq. km Shaba National Reserve. The reserve was gazetted as a conservation area in 1976. Thirteen (13) years later, the lodge became officially operational.

This Lodge basks in a legacy bequeathed by Joy Adamson of the ‘Born Free’ fame. She was the wife of a prominent conservationist, George Adamson, who was a senior game warden of the area. Joy raised her adopted animals next door to the current Sarova Shaba Lodge’s site. She first came to Kenya in 1910 with her first husband whom she later divorced.

In 1956, George, in his capacity as the game warden was compelled to kill a man-eating lioness, which had three newly born cubs. So orphaned before they could imprint on any animate object, they were taken in by Joy Adamson who became their foster mother. She named them ‘Lustica’, ‘Big One’, and ‘Elsa’. She later found that she could not handle three fast-growing lionesses, therefore she reluctantly sent the cubs to By drop, Rotterdam when they were five months old.

Located in the Semi-desert Shaba Game Reserve in Central Kenya the Sarova Shaba Lodge offers the guests a chance to see the bounty of unique wildlife made famous by the film “Born Free”. In March 1998, the Lodge played host to the cast and crew of the “ Born Free”, true-life story of George and Joy Adamson and starred both Kenyan actors and International film stars. The majority of the filming took place in the Game Reserve but some of the scenes were actually shot in the lodge.

Climate

Located in the semi-arid region of Northern Kenya, just next to Ewaso Nyiro River
Very hot & dry with temperature averaging 29 degrees centigrade during the day
Warm nights

How to get to Sarova Shaba Lodge

The distance from Nairobi to Sarova Shaba is 314km
By Air 45 minutes from Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Samburu or Shaba airstrip
By road: 5hrs from Nairobi – recommended 4×4 wheel drive or Tour Van

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge excels in the freshness and quality of its food which is supported by the Lodge’s own vegetable and herb garden.

Surpelei Restaurant

The Main restaurant at Sarova Shaba Game Lodge is built on stilts overlooking the river and free form pool with stunning views of the greens, river, and bird-life. The restaurant serves buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Cuisine includes pan-African, pan-European and pan-Asian. The Salad buffet has a wide variety of salads using the freshest ingredients and herbs from the Lodge’s own vegetable and herb garden. The restaurant has a capacity of 150 people.

Chemi Chemi Bar

The Bar is located along the river bank with natural spring water channels where guests can unwind to the soothing sound of water. The fully stocked bar offers a variety of cocktails, wines, and spirits.

Caralluma Poolside Bar

The pool bar serves refreshing juices, beer, and light beverages.

Champagne Breakfast

A unique experience of dining at the sandbank along the river. The Breakfast includes live cooking against the backdrop of the Uaso Nyiro River and Shaba game park.

Sundowner at the riverside:

Drinks and cocktails are served at this site offering stunning views of the sunset over the meandering river and the wilderness.

Bush Dinners

A spectacular dining experience under a star-studded sky, with live bar-be-cue of game meats and other local delicacies enjoyed along with traditional music and dance. Bush dinners at Sarova Shaba Game Lodge as a major attraction during the festive periods

Alfresco Dining

Special request lunches and dinners are arranged at various out-door locations in the Lodge including the lawns where natural springs flow or the fish pond. where guests can enjoy an intimate dinner or private party.

Picnic Hamper

For guests at Sarova Shaba Game Lodge who want to enjoy longer game drives, the lodge offers a picnic hamper with light meals and beverages.

Things to do at Sarova Shaba Game Lodge

Game Drives

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge is situated on the arid semi-deserts of north eastern Kenya is made famous by the late Joy Adamson and her lioness Elsa, is often referred as the “Born Free Country” is stunningly beautiful, as this is the home to an extra ordinary amount and diversity of wildlife. The scenery is full of surprises and through the heart of it runs the Ewaso Nyiro River supporting a string of lush oasis.

This is one of the few areas in Kenya visitors can see the uncommon Grevy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe, Beisa Oryx, the gerenuk, and the blue legged Somali ostrich.  Other than the unique wildlife some members of the big five can also be seen, the lion, African elephants, the leopard & the Cape buffalo. Experience and venture out with our experienced guide who will either take you for an early morning game drive, late afternoon game drive or a half-day game drive.

Birds and Nature Walks

Birdlife in Sarova Shaba Game Lodge is wonderful with a record of over 350 different birds species. Its an ideal place for birders. Team up with the Naturalist/guide, take a walk and you will be able to know more on the indigenous medicinal plant common to the area.

Samburu Village Visit

After the late afternoon game drive, visit the beautifully beaded and decorated Samburu morans performing cultural dances and songs.

Crocodile Feeding

Nile crocodiles heavily populate the Ewaso Nyiro River, there is a crocodile feeding session at 7:30 P.m to 8:00 P.m in the evening at Sarova Shaba and the Naturalist/guide will escort you to the viewing deck where you may have the opportunity to feed the reptiles.

Bush Breakfast

Bush bubbly breakfasts are an integral part of a worth visit to Sarova Shaba Lodge and this can be provided with prior arrangements. This takes place in a beautiful setting alongside the surging waters of the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Sundowner

After an exciting game drive, savor a Sarova Shaba sundowner cocktail at the banks of Ewaso Nyiro River as you unwind, watch the sun setting slip slowly below the horizon and listen to lions roar in a distance

Samburu Boma Dinner

Escape an enjoy a barbecue dinner is set in a Samburu styled Boma above the stars, skies, and Shaba are elemental. Late at night, you can walk back to the lodge guided only by the stars and the moon

Meetings and Conference

The Lodge also has conference facilities for up to 100 delegates to host a conference with a difference deep in the African bush.

The Doum Room with open French windows overlooking the fishpond and veranda. Audio Visual equipment and secretarial assistance

Weddings & Honeymoons

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge lends itself naturally to the ideal exotic wedding flavored with the culture and traditions of the Samburu People. The weddings are held at the landscaped greens at the lodge, with a Samburu elder blessing the marriage.

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge is fully geared to take up all the arrangements so that guests can truly enjoy themselves without worrying about the details These include venue decoration using traditional Samburu fabrics, beads and handicraft, flowers, music and dance, bubbly toast and tiered cake, bush dinner with traditional dancers and photography. The lodge also has a mini spa to indulge in the couple.