The tranquil Uaso Nyiro River, flowing through Shaba and Samburu, attracts a wide number of rare wildlife and provides a natural habitat for crocodile.

Long necked gerenuk, Grevy´s zebra and reticulated giraffe are species not found in the less arid areas to the south. Elephants seek solace and contentment in the shallow waters of this wide sauntering river, fringed with acacia, down palms and tamarind which together with Buffalo Springs, support a large variety of african mammals, cheetah and leopard being particularly well represented.

Doves and guinea fowl abound and the giant Martial Eagle perched on some high vantage point.

Samburu is visited by large herds of Elephants, drawn by the promise of water.

In the dry season, the elephants use their tusks to dig deep into the dry river beds, unearthing precious water. These waterholes then become a focal point for other game. The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic Northern species, including Gerenuk, the Reticulated Giraffe, and Grevys Zebra. Shaba was where Joy Adamson, author of Born Free spent her final years, returning a leopard to the wild. This was the subject of her final book, Queen of Shaba. More recently, Shaba served as the location for the hit series Survivor Africa, which pitted its contestants against the challenges of this wild remote country. The Ewaso Nyiro is also an important water source for the Samburu villages surrounding the reserves. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one, sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai.

The Samburu are herders of Camels and Goats, and are often seen on the reserve boundaries bringing their animals to water.