the abundant wildlife. The landscape is similar to nearby Samburu Game Reserve with riverine forests, acacias and doum palms. Shaba National Reserve is enriched with extraordinary wildlife. Game drives will incorporate varied wildlife including gravy zebra, the Somali ostrich, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, lesser kudu, leopards, plenty of lion and herds of elephants. Shaba National Reserve was made famous for its association with the world famous conservationists Joy and George Adamson and the film “Born Free".

Joy’s Camp is the perfect choice for discerning guests interested in a glimpse of Kenya history, as well as those looking for an authentic wildlife experience combined with the comfort of a luxury-tented camp. Each sumptuous tent is uniquely decorated with Boran/Somali cloth design, handmade glass and the vibrant fabrics of the local nomadic tribes creating a chic, sophisticated and stylish tented camp. Each tent in Joy’s Camp has its own private verandah, ideal for private game viewing as well as relaxing, reading and soaking up the truly wild environs offered by Shaba.

The eastern corner of the Samburu eco-system, Shaba is a secluded idyll; an arid landscape dotted with lush springs and Rocky River gorges. Joy’s Camp is a tribute to Joy Adamson, built in an elegant oasis in the arid lands on the site of her tented home. The camp overlooks a large natural spring where elephant, leopard and lion jostle for watering rights with herds of buffalo and the rare desert species of Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. Many bird species can also be spotted making it a great camp for budding ornithologists.

The staff could not do enough for you; the lodge management checks on you after each game drive to find out whether you had seen animals and to enquire as to whether you would like to do something different for the next day. The attention to detail is spot on.

They even arrange for you to have a full cooked picnic breakfast by the river as a surprise, transporting the kitchen and staff to the river's edge.  You will be incredibly well looked after for your entire stay which. There are plenty of wildlife about and being built beside a spring, the waterhole is always populated with animals.

The guides are very knowledgeable and will cheerfully answer any questions you have. Lara and Jamie who manage the camp are so friendly, very laid back yet attentive and constantly checking if everything is alright without being obtrusive. Other activities at Joy's Camp include bush breakfasts, sundowners and cultural visits. Alternatively, guests can chose to relax around the camp's swimming pool. The cuisine at Joy's Camp is based on traditional Northern Italian food all prepared from the Cheli family cook book.

Zanzibar brass lanterns (with halogen bulbs) hang each side of the bed, which is covered with a spread of Boran design. A three-quarter height white wall separates the bathroom from the bedroom and, with its varied arches, reinforces the Swahili style. The bathroom is decorated with hand-made glass and provides twin basins, a walk-in shower, and natural toiletries.
A wide verandah, furnished with day-bed, chairs and table, stretches the width of the tent and provides magnificent long views to the mountains.

Italian food all prepared from the Cheli family cook book. Soft drinks, beer, house wines and non-luxury spirits are included in the room rates Champagne, special wines and luxury spirits are additional. Fresh fruit, cereals and a full cooked breakfast are on offer in the morning.

Lunch is a three-course affair. Tea and coffee are always available and afternoon tea is served before the evening game activity. On your return, there are drinks around the camp fire, followed by a four-course dinner (e.g. cauliflower soup, stuffed aubergine, and beef with garlic mash and vegetables, date & lime pudding.).  Meals are imaginative and tasty.

Joy’s Camp Hotel Facilities
Bordered by volcanic outcrops and the Ewaso Nyiro River, Shaba is a semi-arid 223sq km reserve marked by rocky lava flows, acacia trees, thorny scrub, springs and marshes. There are only one other camp in Shaba, and Joy’s Camp is almost as far away from it as possible. Game drives are in open Land cruisers and you are unlikely to encounter another vehicle. Most of the guides have achieved Kenya’s Silver qualification. Buffalo, elephant, leopard and lion are found in Shaba, as well as a variety of buck, the lovely gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, Reticulated giraffe and the Beisa oryx. However, Shaba is not fully fenced and the wildlife is free to migrate in and out of the reserve, so sightings may be few and far between – wildlife is most plentiful from September through December. In our opinion, Joy’s offers a fantastic wilderness experience, and plays a key role in conservation, as well as enabling you to walk in the footsteps of one of the great figures in wildlife conservation.
*Visits to the local singing wells, a very rare and unspoilt tradition.
*Bush meals along Ewaso Nyiro River and Gorge.
*Visits to the Magado Crater to see the local people and herds of cattle collecting their        salt.