The verdant riverine forest is the preferred habitat for Leopard and abundant birdlife including 2 local species. In all, there are more than 400 bird species - the Taita Falcon, Palm Nut Vulture, Great Egret and Yellow-billed Oxpecker to name a few, have been recorded here.
Kamunyuk the Lioness is a famous resident of Samburu due to her adoption of an orphaned Oryx. Shaba is associated with Joy Adamson (author of Born Free), who spent her last years in the reserve returning a Leopard into the wild.
The book Queen of Shaba is about this experience. Shaba has also been the site for a Survivor Africa programme. Umoja near Archer's Post (on the way to the Samburu Reserve), is the site of a ground-breaking Game viewing is the primary activity via game drives and walks, also birding and lodge activities. Cultural interaction with the fascinating Samburu people who are linked to the Maasai is also offered. Sometimes you can go river rafting in Samburu when the waters are high
