The Shaba National Reserve was gazetted in 1974. It is administered by the Isiolo County Council. It is just east of Samburu and to the north of Mount Kenya. The Ewaso Ngiro river runs for along the northern boundary of the reserve. Annual rainfall is between and . The soils are sandy, volcanic in origin. The reserve is semi desert, dotted with isolated hills and plentiful springs. Shaba Hill in the south, with its volcanic formations, rises to above sea level from relatively flat surrounding country. The land at the foot of this hill is rugged, containing steep ravines.