East of Samburu lies Shaba National Reserve, a hidden gem of a park and less well known. The dry, arid landscape here is dotted with lush springs, that are a magnet for wildlife, dramatic mountains in the distance and the ever-flowing Ewaso Nyiro River. Joy Adamson spent her last years in Shaba working with leopards, the account of which was detailed in her book “Queen of Shaba”. Shaba is not a hard-hitting reserve, but is a pleasant backwater far removed from the standard tourist circuit, and a firm favorite with return visitors.