[4] Shaba Hill in the south, with its volcanic formations, rises to 2,145 m (7,037 ft) above sea level from the relatively flat surrounding country.

[3] Away from the river the habitats include umbrella thorn acacia woodland, bush land dominated by commiphora, alkaline grasslands and open areas of lava rock that contain scattered patches of grass and shrubs.

[4] Bird life is plentiful in Shaba, and similar to that of the Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves.

The near-threatened and poorly known Williams's lark is found in the reserve in regions of rocky lava semi-desert with low Barleria shrubs.

The reserve lies on the migration route from the Palearctic for the globally threatened lesser kestrel, a few of whom pass through each year.

Shaba is also home to regionally threatened birds that include the sporadically visiting African darter and great egret and the resident white-headed vulture, martial eagle and yellow-billed oxpecker, the last of which is fairly common.

[3] The park was made famous by Joy Adamson and the lioness Elsa, subjects of the 1966 film Born Free.

[6] The film Out of Africa was shot in part within the reserve, as were various other TV shows and commercials that take advantage of the wildlife and dramatic scenery.