Shaba is the largest (240 sq km) of the three related ecosystems: Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. Nestled between mountains and along the Ewaso Nyiro River, there is an enchanting landscape. The river rises in the Aberdare Range, flows north and cascades down the 72m Thompson Falls at Nyahururu. From there it continues east in an arc over Archer's Post.

The Shaba Reserve is named after the copper-colored sandstone hill Shaba, the contemporary witness to the fossilized lava flows that flowed out of the Nyambeni Heights 5.000 years ago.

Some springs attract wildlife: e.g. oryx, gerenuk (giraffe gazelles), Grevy's zebras, reticulated giraffes, elephants, buffalo, various antelopes, lions, cheetahs, leopards, mongooses, black-backed jackals, crocodiles and over 400 species of birds!