Date post: | 28-Mar-2016 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | land-marine-publications-ltd |
View: | 238 times |
Download: | 6 times |
TOURISM & CONSERVATION MANUAL
KENYA WILDLIFE
SERVICE
/ 1
CONTENTS
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
3 / FOREWORD
5 / INTRODUCTION
7 / CONSERVATION AREA LOCATIONS
8 / TSAVO
10 / WESTERN
12 / SOUThERN
14 / CENTRAL RIFT
16 / COASTAL
18 / MOUNTAIN
20 / EASTERN
21 / NORThERN
22 / RESOURCE MOBILISATION
23 / KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE FUND
24 / PROJECTIONS FOR ThE FUTURE
25 / ANIMAL ADOPTION PROGRAMME
26 / hUMAN/WILDLIFE CONFLICT
28 / KENYA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
29 / MARINE WILDLIFE CODE
30 / MANAGING PARKS
33 / ThE WILDLIFE CODE
34 / PARK LISTINGS
Contact details: Kenya Wildlife Service
Marketing and Business Development
Tel: +254 (20) 399 1000/399 2000
Email: [email protected]
www.kws.go.ke
The Kenya Wildlife Service Tourism & Conservation Manual is published by:
Land & Marine Publications Ltd 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park, Colchester Essex, CO4 9RA, UK Tel: +44 (0)1206 752 902 Fax: +44 (0)1206 842 958 E-mail: [email protected] www.landmarine.com
Printed by: Reflex Litho Ltd
Photo credits: KWS, Jennifer O’leary, Dloniak Stephanie, Linda Whitwam
The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor nor of any other organisation associated with this publication.
No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions.
ISSN 2047-2021
©2011 Land & Marine Publications Ltd
land&MARINE
FOREWORD / 3
WELCOME TO A WORLD OF ADVENTURE
Pushing messages about the experiential of-
fers of a tourist destination like Kenya Wild-
life Service (KWS) parks must be one of the
most exciting jobs, right? Truth be told, it’s
like running up the mountain with an egg on
a spoon. There is the expectation of deliver-
ing value of that authentic African safari, yet
also conserving the wildlife and landscapes
under serious threat from human activity.
The tourism product that KWS manages is
in most instances nature-based, meaning
that the twin challenges of climate change
and the sustainable management of the
environment remain alive to us. In tackling
these twin challenges, we intend to partner
with our customers and stakeholders to pro-
mote low-impact tourism and enhance our
involvement with communities who remain
key to wildlife and habitat management.
We are delighted to introduce to you the KWS
Tourism & Conservation Manual covering all parks
and reserves managed by the Kenya Wildlife
Service. Those who have visited these parks and
reserves, or those who specialise in packaging
Kenyan safaris, will be familiar with many of these
locations. However, with the twin challenges
above, we would wish to interest you in adven-
ture tourism. KWS parks and reserves have more
to offer than the ‘Big Five’ safari: birding, hiking,
mountain climbing, rock climbing, mountain
biking, deepsea diving, snorkelling and camping;
all set within breathtaking landscapes or seascapes.
In most instances, this activity-based, low-impact
tourism can be enjoyed in the lesser-known parks
which this tour planner opens up to you.
SUPPORTManaging Kenya’s wildlife means caring for one
of humanity’s most valuable legacies. How well
we do so is of concern to the entire world and
requires the support of the entire world. Our
role is as diverse as the areas we operate in.
Our wildlife conservation programmes are well
documented and increasingly successful in terms
of saving endangered and threatened species
and important habitats. All these could not be
possible without your contribution through
conservation fees. Every time you develop an
itinerary with a KWS park or visit a KWS park
and pay the requisite conservation fees, you are
leaving your footprint in the conservation of one
of humanity’s most valuable legacies.
The main objective of this manual is to provide the
travel trade and tourists with the information they
need to plan your next safari. As KWS, we will
continue to sustainably manage and protect the
unique offerings of our parks and reserves, the
amazing wildlife, landscapes, marine life, glaciers
on the equator and adventurous excursions in
order to deliver the ultimate African safari.
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
INTRODUCTION / 5
PROTECTING WILDLIFE IN ThE 21ST CENTURY
For Kenya Wildlife Service, strategic com-
munity partnerships is vital to conserving
and managing our precious wildlife.
The strategy of the KWS community partnerships
is to help communities and private landowners to
set up and run economically viable and sustain-
able nature-based enterprises within designated
areas of Kenya.
Not all wildlife in Kenya is confined to protected
areas and KWS sees the communities that
coexist with wildlife as a key partner in sustain-
able wildlife conservation for future generations.
We do so through our education and awareness
programmes; corporate social responsibility in
the form of providing water, health and educa-
tion facilities; community enterprise initiatives;
and mitigation measures to reduce conflict
between humans and wildlife.
The idea is that if people benefit from wildlife
and other natural resources, then they will
take care of these resources and use them
sustainably.
ELEPhANT SANCTUARY The 60,000 acre Golini Mwaluganje Community
Elephant Sanctuary was established in 1995 to
create a corridor for movement of elephants
between Mwaluganje Forest Reserve to the
north and Shimba Hills National Reserve in
Kwale, South Coast.
Adjacent communities were farming in the
corridor and suffered crop destruction, injury
and death by the elephants. To resolve this, KWS
proposed a change in land use from farming to a
sanctuary. Agreements were drawn up requiring
landowners to give the legal rights of sanctuary
management for conservation.
Two years later, payments ranging from KES
60,000 to KES 200,000 were made to each
family who donated vacant land.
Families are currently receiving yearly payments
for setting aside land for conservation. KWS is
also working with the sanctuary management on
investor engagement.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARYThe Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, in the
heart of the Tsavo ecosystem is a key dispersal
area for elephant and other species.
Three group ranches in Taita, Lualenyi, Mramba
and Oza have come together to form the Lumo
Sanctuary, which aims to increase the area under
wildlife conservation and to reduce conflict
between humans and wildlife.
WOMEN’S GARDEN PROJECTThe Wasini Women’s Group Coral Garden Board-
walk is a special project in the coastal region.
KWS helped local women to develop their
own profitable ventures as well as conserving a
large mangrove forest and coral garden which
boarders Wasini Village. KWS proposed the
construction of a 1 km boardwalk through the
coral gardens that would be owned and oper-
ated by the women themselves. Now, tourists
who visit Wasini pay a fee to go on the board-
walk, which allows them to view the ancient
coral structures.
ALOE FARMING A two-day exposure tour for a Samburu
community based organisation known as Hope
for Samburu Aloe Farms was organised by KWS
Samburu station to visit an aloe factory and
farms run by Baringo Bio-Enterprise (BABE).
The aim was to inform the community members
about nature-based enterprises. This project is
still in its initial stages. Plans are under way to
continue working with these communities.
WILDLIFE CONSERVANCYWith support from USAID, our partner since
the early 1990s, KWS has established the Olerai
Community Wildlife Sanctuary in Kajiado. The
Olerai community set aside 8,800 acres and
KWS has trained 20 community scouts and a
sanctuary manager. A management plan is being
drawn up while an investor is being sought to
help the community set up a tourism facility.
BY MUNIRA ANYONGE-BAShIR, hSC
Assistant Director and head of Community Enterprise Development
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
LakeVictoria
Sibiloi NP
Central Island NP
South Island NP
Marsabit NP & R
Kora NP
Meru NP
Arabuko Sokoke NP
Kiunga Marine NR
Kisite Marine NP
Kakamega NP
Saiwa Swamp NP
Nasalot NP
Mwea NR
South Turkana NP
Malindi Marine NP
Watamu Marine NP
Mombasa Marine NP
Shimba Hills NR
Tsavo East NP
Tsavo West NP
Amboseli NP
Nairobi Animal OrphanageNairobi Safari Walk
Oldonyo Sabuk NP
Mt. Kenya NP
Aberdare NP
Mt. Longonot NP
Hell’s Gate NP
Lake Nakuru NP
Ruma NP
NP – NATIONAL PARK
KEY:
NR – NATIONAL RESERVE
R – RESERVE
Mt. Elgon NP
Chyulu NP
Lake Turkana
Indian Ocean
NORTHERN
EASTERN
TSAVO
COAST
SOUTHERN
CENTRALRIFT
MOUNTAIN
K E N Y AK E N Y AK E N Y A
WESTERN
Nairobi NP
Ndere Island NP Kisumu Impala Sanctuary
/ 7
CONSERVATION AREA LOCATIONS
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
8 / TSAVO
AN ESSENTIALLY AFRICAN ExPERIENCE
The joint mass of Tsavo West and Tsavo
East National Parks forms one of the largest
national parks in the world, covering four
per cent of Kenya’s total land area.
Tsavo East, the larger of the two, lies east of the
Nairobi-Mombasa road, equidistant between
Nairobi and Mombasa, a vast and untapped
arena of arid bush washed by the meandering
Galana River. It is guarded by the limitless lava
reaches of Yatta Plateau and patrolled by some
of the largest elephant herds in Kenya.
GAME WATChING All the national parks and reserves in Kenya offer
game drives. Usually, the best times to set out
are early morning and late afternoon because,
in the midday heat, most animals disappear into
the cool undergrowth.
Each park has its own ecosystem and wildlife.
For a guarantee of magnificent game drives,
however, the Tsavo parks has just about every-
thing, including vast herds of dust-red elephant,
fat pods of hippo, giant crocodile and a kalei-
doscope of birdlife, all set against a backdrop of
endless bush. Night game drives are also avail-
able in both parks and in the Chyulu Hills.
ELEPhANTS IN EDEN The sight of dust-red elephants wallowing,
rolling and spraying each other with water in the
Galana River is one of the most evocative images
of Africa – one that is synonymous with Tsavo
East National Park.
MUDANDA ROCK This whale-backed rock in Tsavo East National
Park towers above a natural dam that attracts
elephants in their thousands. Views here are
exceptional and it is a great place to sit and
watch game. Other interesting land formations
include the Yatta Plateau, which was formed
PARKS IN ThIS AREA:
- Chyulu hills National Park
- Tsavo East National Park
- Tsavo West National Park
WhAT TO BRING WITh YOU:
- Drinking water
- Picnic items
- Camping equipment (if you intend to stay overnight)
- Walking boots
- Warm clothing
- Binoculars
- Camera
- hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Guidebooks
/ 9
from ancient volcanic activity to create a long,
flat-topped lava ridge on the western border of
Tsavo East.
LUGARDS FALLS Named after Captain F.D. Lugard, the first
proconsul to East Africa, the Lugards Falls in
Tsavo East feature bizarrely eroded rocks through
which the waters of the Galana River plunge into
foaming rapids and crocodile-infested pools.
UNDERWATER hIPPO hIDE Mzima Springs is the star attraction of Tsavo
West, a pool of natural spring water with under-
water viewing hides for observing hippo.
CAVE ExPLORATION The volcanic hills of Chyulu, ash cones and
craters are outstanding examples of the major
stages of the earth’s history. The landscape also
includes caves that are fascinating to explore –
most notably, the Shetani Caves, consisting of
two large openings with an ancient tree growing
between them, and Man Eater’s Cave, which
contains human bones.
ChYULU hILLSThe Chyulu Hills are one of Kenya’s most photo-
genic regions – an area of rolling open plains
interrupted by the hills, which run for about 30
miles in a series of whale-backed summits. This
is a magical area of ragged craters, rolling grass-
land, exotic aromatic plants and cedar forests
OThER ACTIVITIESCamping, bush climbs, horse riding, guided
walks along the Tsavo River and birdwatching.
Chyulu Hills National Park contacts: The Warden
PO Box 458-90137, Kibwezi
Tel: +254 (0)20 2153 433
Email: [email protected]
Tsavo East National Park contacts:The Warden
PO Box 14, Voi
Tel: +254 (0)20 240 5957
+254 (0)43 30 049
+254 (0)43 2030 084
Email: [email protected]
Tsavo West National Park contacts: The Warden
PO Box 71, Mtito Andei
Tel: +254 (0)43 30 049
+254 (0)43 310 011
+254 (0)43 2080 268
Email: [email protected]
10 / WESTERN
UNTAMED WILDERNESS, SECLUDED SPLENDOUR
CAMPING For those who want to go back to basics
and live out in the wild, camping in Kenya’s
national parks is a memorable experience if
one is prepared to live without luxury.
KWS runs campsites throughout all the regions
in which it operates. Campsites in western
Kenya are located in Mount Elgon National
Park, Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Sibiloi National
Park, Kakamega Forest Reserve, Saiwa Swamp
National Park and Ruma National Park.
SELF-CATERING Long-stay visitors, those on a budget and tour-
ists who prefer to shape their own holidays may
prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation,
known locally as bandas.
There is a wide choice of scenically located,
attractively presented and economically priced
self-catering accommodation in most KWS parks.
Ruma National Park contains a unique self-
catering guesthouse built on the Kanyamwa
Escarpment.
PICNICKING For a great weekend adventure, visitors can
bring their own food and enjoy a meal amid the
wildlife and the vast landscape.
Various parks have been designated picnic areas.
In the western region, Mount Elgon National
Park is well set up for this activity, offering key
facilities such as adequate shelter, benches,
drinking water and toilets.
Ruma National Park has two dedicated picnic
areas. Korlang’o picnic site is located in an area
used as an escape route by the Kalenjin tribe in
colonial times, while Twiga picnic site is in the
middle of the park, allowing visitors to watch the
animals while they eat.
NATURE WALKS Nature walks give visitors a chance to get away
from their vehicles and take a more personal
look at Kenya’s amazing wildlife. Nature trails
can be tour-guided or self-guided and are avail-
able in most parks and reserves.
Western parks offering well trodden nature
walks include Kakamega National Park, Ndere
Island National Park, Kisumu Impala Sanctuary,
Saiwa Swamp National Park and Mount Elgon
National Park.
Night walks are an attractive option for those
hoping to see shy nocturnal animals.
SALT MINING ELEPhANTS Kitum Cave in Mount Elgon National Park is well
known as the only place in the world where
elephants go underground into caves at night to
scrape the walls for the salt contained in the rock.
Three short nature trails lead to Kitum Cave and
visitors are advised to bring comfortable footwear.
PARKS IN ThIS AREA:
- Central Island National Park
- Kakamega Forest National Reserve
- Kisumu Impala Sanctuary
- Mount Elgon National Park
- Ndere Island National Park
- Ruma National Park
- Saiwa Swamp National Park
WhAT TO BRING WITh YOU:
- Drinking water
- Picnic items
- Camping equipment (if you intend to stay overnight)
- Walking boots
- Warm clothing
- Binoculars
- Camera
- hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Guidebooks
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
CLIMBINGMount Elgon offers great opportunities for
climbing and walking. No special hiking equip-
ment is required and guides are provided by
the park management. The highest peak on
the Kenya side is Koitobos (4,200 metres). It
is reached across beautiful moorland, with an
opportunity to visit the hot springs on the way.
ENDANGERED SITATUNGASaiwa Swamp National Park was established
to protect the endangered sitatunga, a type of
antelope. The park is the only place in Kenya
where the elusive sitatunga has become rela-
tively used to the presence of humans. These
extremely shy animals prefer to feed in the
morning and evening. They occasionally leave
the swamp after dark to browse.
BUTTERFLY WATChINGFor bird and butterfly watchers, Kakamega
Forest National Reserve is the place to visit. The
forest is home to over 400 species of butterflies,
which can be viewed under the large forest
canopy.
OThER ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONSCrater lakes at Central Island National Park, horse
riding, Lake Turkana, walking, game viewing and
birdwatching.
Kakamega National Reserve contacts:PO Box 879, Kakamega
Tel: +254 (0)56 30 603; 30 962
Email: [email protected]
Kisumu Impala Sanctuary contacts:The Warden, PO Box 1193, Kisumu
Tel: +254 (0) 57 21 105
Email: [email protected];
Mount Elgon National Park contacts:The Warden, PO Box 753, Kitale
Email: [email protected];
Ndere Island National Park contacts:PO Box 1193, Kisumu
Email: [email protected]
Ruma National Park contacts:The Warden, PO Box 420, Homa Bay
Tel: +254 (0)3 529 119
Cell: +254 (0)722 418 900
Email: [email protected]
Saiwa Swamp National Park contacts:The Warden, PO Box 4506, Kipsaina
Tel: +254 (0)20 29 826
Email: [email protected]
South and Central Island National Parks contacts:The Warden, PO Box 219, Lodwar
Tel: +254 (0) 5421 223
12 / SOUThERN
A PLACE FOR CREATING LIFELONG MEMORIES
Nairobi National Park must be one of the
few places in the world where you can
be surrounded by wildlife – yet only a
30-minute ride from the centre of a capital
city. Ideally located for team building ses-
sions, weddings and special events, the
park is also a popular outing venue for
couples, friends and family groups.
The KWS Southern Conservation Area also
embraces Amboseli National Park, housing
Kenya’s largest population of elephant, and Ol
Donyo Subuk, where visitors can see the grave
of Lord Macmillan, an eccentric American farmer
who was the first foreigner to settle here.
EVENTS Conveniently located close to Nairobi’s inter-
nationally acclaimed restaurants, the Nairobi
National Park is a popular venue for corporate
events, bush dinners, weddings and picnics.
DINE In Nairobi National Park, patrons of the Rangers
Restaurant can relax over a meal while enjoying
a view of the park. There are also spacious picnic
sites throughout the park.
WILDLIFEAside from elephant, visitors staying in Amboseli
have the opportunity to see a wide variety of
wildlife, including the ‘Big Five’. The park has
Mount Kilimanjaro as its backdrop and visitors
can enjoy views over the whole park from Obser-
vation Hill, while the swamps below are home to
many elephant, buffalo, hippo and various water
birds such as pelican and Egyptian goose.
Nairobi National Park is home to a number of
black rhinos, a shy and endangered species. In
PARKS IN ThIS AREA:
- Amboseli National Park
- Nairobi Animal Orphanage
- Nairobi National Park
- Nairobi Safari Walk
- Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park
WhAT TO BRING WITh YOU:
- Drinking water
- Picnic items
- Binoculars
- Camera
- hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Guidebooks
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
fact, the park is the major rhino sanctuary for
breeding and restocking other parks. It is also
home to large predators such as lion, leopard,
hyena and cheetah and groups of large herbivores
including eland, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest.
hISTORY AND CULTURE Interestingly, Nairobi National Park contains an
ivory burning site. This is where former President
Daniel arap Moi burned 10 tonnes of ivory to
make a bold gesture in his campaign to end the
poaching of elephants for their tusks. Since then,
such fires have been lit twice to destroy confis-
cated rhino horns and ivory.
Within Amboseli National Park, guests can
observe – and participate in – the contempo-
rary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle.
The Maasai community here is one of the few
to have maintained their traditional cultural
practices.
The unusual Macmillan grave in Ol Donyo Sabuk
National Park is a place of pilgrimage for many
visitors. Sir William Northrup Macmillan was a
wealthy American farmer, seven feet tall and
reputedly so fat that he had to walk through
most doors sideways. He was the first person
to experiment with the domestication of wild
game in Africa and he also attempted to breed
wildebeest on his farm.
ANIMAL ORPhANAGEThe Nairobi Animal Orphanage was built in 1963
to care for young animals which have lost their
mothers through predation, poaching or natural
causes. The orphanage also cares for wounded
animals found in the bush, abandoned.
NATURAL WONDERS Described as one of Kenya’s most spectacular
landmarks, Fourteen Falls in Ol Donyo Sabuk
National Park is a magnificent sight and a
popular picnic spot. The area has key facilities
such as shelters, benches, drinking water and
toilets.
OThER ACTIVITIES/ATTRACTIONSCamping, mountain climbing, views from the
summit of Mount Kenya (in Ol Donyo Sabuk
National Park), corporate events, bush dinners,
picnicking, Nairobi Safari Walk, birdwatching.
Amboseli National Park contacts:Senior Warden
PO Box 18, 00207, Namanga
Tel: +254 (0)45 622 251; 20 243 3025
Email: [email protected]
Nairobi National Park contacts: The Warden
PO Box 42076, Nairobi
Tel: +254 (0)20 399 2000/1000
+254 (0)20 237 907-16
Email: [email protected]
Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park contacts: The Warden
PO Box 1514 0100, Thika
Tel: +254 (0)20 206 2503
Email: [email protected]
/ 13
14 / CENTRAL RIFT
A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ENCOUNTER
An area of beautiful landscape, craggy cliffs
and vast open spaces, the three KWS parks
in the Central Rift Region are diverse and
full of opportunities for exciting activities.
Hells Gate is famous for its eagle and vulture
breeding grounds and is a popular cycling
location; Lake Nakuru has a prolific colony of
flamingo; while a huge extinct volcano domi-
nates the landscape in Mount Longonot National
Park.
GAME VIEWING Lake Nakuru is home to a variety of wildlife such
as the lion, leopard, rhino, giraffe and buffalo,
all of which can be viewed from the comfort of
a safari vehicle. Located in Hells Gate National
Park, the Oljorwa Gorge features hot springs and
numerous geological attractions.
hORSE RIDING A wildlife safari on horseback offers a kind of
freedom that cannot be experienced on other
safaris. Hells Gate National Park now offers this
increasingly popular adventure.
BIRDLIFEFlamingos, raptors and eagles can be seen in the
Central Rift region. The shores of Lake Nakuru
are crowded with greater and lesser flamingos as
well as other water birds.
Raptors nesting in the cliffs at Hells Gate are
fascinating to watch from the Mervyn Carnelley
Raptor Hide and Mount Longonot National Park
is also a paradise for birds of prey.
CYCLINGProviding visitors with an invigorating and chal-
lenging experience, cycling is an up-and-coming
trend in Kenya’s national parks.
Hells Gate National Park is one of the most
atmospheric parks in Africa. It offers rewarding
experiences for both novice and expert cyclists,
who can enjoy some of the country’s most
magnificent scenery. Cyclists can make their way
along the park trails and witness towering cliffs,
water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers and
spontaneous geothermal steam.
ROCK CLIMBINGFor those with limited time, ‘big wall’ cragging
at Fischer’s Tower in Hells Gate National Park,
only an hour and a half from Nairobi, is a grand
experience for day trippers from the capital. This
45 metre high wall is composed of basalt rock
and offers a variety of excellent training climbs.
PARKS IN ThIS AREA:
- hells Gate National Park
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- Mount Longonot National Park
WhAT TO BRING WITh YOU:
- Plenty of drinking water
- hat
- Sunscreen
- Picnic items
- Camping equipment
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Sunglasses
- Guidebooks
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
LANDSCAPE The landscape in the Central Rift highlands
provides some unique opportunities for photog-
raphy. In Mount Longonot National Park the
extinct volcano and a crater forest, along with
views of Lake Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley,
present a vast and varied panorama.
Lake Nakuru National Park has popular viewing
points including Lion Hill, Baboon Cliff and the
Makalia Waterfall.
OThER ACTIVITIES Camping, hiking, team building and walking.
Hells Gate National Park Contacts:The Warden
PO Box 234-20117, Naivasha
Tel: +254 (0)50 50407
+254 (0)50 50290
Email: [email protected]
Lake Nakuru National Park contacts: Senior Warden
PO Box 539, Nakuru
Tel: +254 (0)20 266 4071
+254 (0)20 266 4079
+254 (0)20 267 1686
Email: [email protected]
Mount Longonot National Park Contacts:PO Box 234-2011,7
Naivasha, Kenya
Tel: +254 (0)50 50 407; 50 290
Fax: +254 (0)311 20 577
Email: [email protected]
/ 15
16 / COASTAL
A WhOLE NEW WORLD
The beautiful KWS marine parks provide
a wonderful insight into the underwater
world through diving and snorkelling, with
opportunities to meet playful dolphins,
admire coral gardens and observe bright
tropical fish.
For active visitors, there are plenty of activities on
the coast such as diving, windsurfing, water-skiing
and glass-bottomed boat rides. Alternatively, visi-
tors can just enjoy the wonderful Kenyan climate
and sunbathe on the white beaches.
SNORKELLING AND DEEPSEA DIVING All five KWS coastal parks have diving schools
and snorkelling facilities. Watamu Marine Park,
Mombasa Marine Park, Kiunga Marine Reserve,
Kisite Marine Park, Mpunguti Reserve and
Malindi Marine Park are all beautiful locations
with a wealth of marine life.
At each of the dive facilities, visitors must obey
the marine park rules. These include:
• No collecting or touching of marine life,
corals or shells
• No fishing inside the marine park
• No spearfishing.
Specialists and teachers should always accom-
pany diving excursions.
Although visitors can dive all year round, the
best time to watch dolphins is from August to
April.
GLASS-BOTTOMED BOAT RIDESHalfway up Kenya’s coast are the delightful
towns of Watamu and Malindi. This area was
much loved by Ernest Hemingway, who came
here for big game sport fishing. The marine
parks have their coral reefs several miles offshore
and glass-bottomed boats are the usual way of
getting to the reefs. This allows non-swimmers
an opportunity to look at the coral and the
colourful fish that crowd around the boat
expecting to be fed.
DhOW TRIPS A popular way to spend a day is a dhow trip in
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, often combined
PARKS IN ThIS AREA:
- Arabuko Sokoke National Reserve
- Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park
- Malindi Marine Park
- Kiunga Marine Reserve
- Mombasa Marine Park
- Shimba hills National Reserve
- Watamu Marine Park
WhAT TO BRING WITh YOU:
- Footwear such as sandals or flip flops to protect your feet from the reef
- T-shirts to protect your body from sunburn
- Snorkel, mask, fins (all available for hire)
- Camera, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent
- Guidebooks
- Plenty of drinking water
- Swimwear
- Towel
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
with a seafood lunch on Wasini Island. This tour
was established in 1978 and was the first of its
kind on the Kenya coast, helping to establish
Kisite as a marine park.
CORAL GARDENSThe Wasini Coral Gardens within Kisite Marine
Park are a remarkable feature of Wasini Island.
The gardens are managed by a local women’s
group, with proceeds going towards preserving
the giant coral rocks and the mangrove forest
while providing a livelihood for the village
community.
hONEYMOON Romantic, relaxing and remote, Kenya has long
been a dream honeymoon destination and it
is easy to understand why. Kenya is a place of
great enchantment, offering luxury accommoda-
tion, endless white sand beaches and welcoming
local people.
What with champagne toasts at sunset and
candle-lit beach dinners, a honeymoon in Kenya
is sure to provide lasting memories.
OThER ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS Camping, conferencing, licensed filming, dolphin
sighting, game viewing at Shimba Hills National
Reserve, nature walks, swimming, trekking,
windsurfing, water-skiing and sunbathing.
Mombasa Marine Park contacts:PO Box 82144, Mombasa
Email: [email protected]
Shimba Hills National Reserve contacts:PO Box 30, Kwale
Tel: +254 (0)40 4159
+254 (0)40 4166
Email: [email protected]
Watamu Marine Park contacts:The Warden, PO Box 109, Malindi
Tel: +254 (0)42 31 554
+254 (0)42 208 450
Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve contacts:The Warden, PO Box 1, Gede
Tel: +254 (0)20 233 5801
+254 (0)20 233 5802
+254 (0)20 600 0800
+254 (0)20 600 2345
Email: [email protected]
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park contacts:The Warden
PO Box 55, Ukunda, Msambweni District
Tel: +254 (0)40 52 027
+254 (0)20 354 9520
Email: [email protected]
Kiunga Marine Reserve contacts:The Warden
PO Box 82, Lamu
Tel: +254 (0)42 633 080
+254 (0)42 633 194
Malindi Marine Park contacts:The Warden
PO Box 109, Malindi
Tel: +254 (0)42 31 554
+254 (0)20 845
+254 (0)20 233 5684
Email: [email protected]
/ 17
18 / MOUNTAIN
ASCENT TO ThE SUMMIT
MOUNTAIN CLIMBINGMount Kenya offers climbers an opportuni-
ty to conquer Africa’s second-highest moun-
tain as well as a chance to walk through an
alpine meadow in the clouds, bracing one-
self against the wind as the land becomes
rocky and desolate.
Yet another popular site is the Aberdare Ranges,
whose summits can be reached by way of a
strenuous high-altitude trek.
GAME VIEWING Away from the more frequently visited tourism
trails in some of the better-known safari parks,
game viewing experience in the mountain region
is a more leisurely experience. Visitors have more
time and space to observe the wildlife – often
against the spectacular backdrop of Mount Kenya.
Kenya has always been famous for its excellent
safari opportunities. However, game parks vary a
great deal depending on the landscape, topog-
raphy and inhabiting species – and also the way
in which they are organised. In general, the best
parks are those with large areas of open space
where animals are easier to track and spot – and
this is certainly true in the Mwea National Reserve.
In Aberdare National Park animals such as eland
and spotted and melanistic serval cats can be
found higher up in the moorlands. Rarer sight-
ings include lion, golden cat and bongo, an
elusive forest antelope which lives in the bamboo
forest.
BIRDWATChINGMwea National Reserve has over 200 species
of birds and is renowned for its water birds and
waders. The reserve is also the only protected
area in which the globally threatened and Kenya-
endemic Hinde’s babbler is known to occur. The
reserve also shelters two other rare species: Pel’s
fishing owl and the white-backed night heron.
Birdwatching in Aberdare National Park is
rewarding, too, with species including Jackson’s
PARKS IN ThIS AREA:
- Aberdare National Park
- Mount Kenya National Park
- Mwea National Reserve
WhAT TO BRING WITh YOU:
- Drinking water
- Picnic items
- Camping equipment (if you intend to stay overnight)
- Binoculars
- Camera
- hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Guidebooks
- Comfortable footwear
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
francolin, sparry hawk, goshawk, eagle, sunbird
and plover.
FIShING For keen anglers, there is excellent fishing in the
many cool mountain streams that flow through
the Aberdare forest. With its clear, tumbling
streams and shaded river bends, Aberdare
National Park is a wonderful place in which to
fish for brown and rainbow trout.
A modestly priced fishing licence can be
obtained on arrival at the park gates. The laws
of Kenya permit only fly-fishing. Mount Kenya
National Park also has opportunities for fishing.
KAMBURU DAMFrom Mwea National Reserve visitors can take
boat rides at Kamburu Dam to Hippo Point. This
is a good opportunity to spot the animals that
congregate along the water’s edge. The dam
itself is used to produce hydro-electric power
from a huge manmade lake.
CAVE ExPLORATION In the foothills of Mount Kenya are the Mau Mau
Caves, used as a hide-out by Kenyan revolution-
aries during the Mau Mau Uprising of 1952 to
1960. The caves are now a historical site with a
significant place in Kenya’s history.
LANDSCAPEUnesco has designated Mount Kenya a World
Heritage Site. It is described as one of the most
impressive landscapes in East Africa with its
rugged glaciers and peaks, afro-alpine moor-
lands and diverse forests, lakes, tarns and
mineral springs. Here, visitors can find rare and
endangered species of animals as well as unique
montane and alpine vegetation including 11
species of endemic plants.
OThER ACTIVITIESTrekking, photography, camping and walking.
Aberdare National Park contacts:Email: [email protected]
Mount Kenya National Park contacts: PO Box 753, Nyeri
Email: [email protected]
Mwea National Reserve contacts:PO Box 8-60113, Kiritiri, Embu
Tel: +254 (0)68 20301
Email: [email protected]
/ 19
20 / EASTERN
A COMPLETE WILDERNESS
Straddling the equator and bisected by 13
rivers and numerous mountain-fed streams,
Meru National Park is one of the most
beautiful parks in Kenya. A green paradise
compared with the dry savannah of some of
Kenya’s parks, this was the wilderness into
which George and Joy Adamson released
Elsa the lioness, creating the much-loved
film ‘Born Free’. Meru’s sister park, the ad-
joining Kora National Park, was designated a
reserve in 1973 and a park in 1990. Covering
just over 1,700 sq km, it comprises an area of
dense woodland and scrub. Its 65 km north-
ern boundary is formed by the Tana River.
ELSA ThE LIONESSMeru National Park is the former home of Joy
and George Adamson, who famously raised an
orphaned lioness in their home and then later
returned her to a life in the wild.
TANA RIVER AND ADAMSON’S FALLSMeandering all the way from the Aberdare Forest,
Kenya’s longest river, the Tana River, makes its
way into Kora National Park where it ruptures into
Adamson’s Falls. A trip to this part of Kenya would
not be complete without visiting these awe-
inspiring falls. Other popular visitor attractions are
the Grand Falls and the Kora Rapids.
JOY AND GEORGE ADAMSONThe former home of Joy and George Adamson
is preserved and available for viewing. Meru
National Park was made famous by the couple’s
autobiographical book, ‘Born Free’, and its
successful film adaptation.
GAME VIEWING Game viewing opportunities in Meru include
buffalo, bushbuck, duiker, eland, elephant,
gazelle, genet, giraffe, hartebeest, impala, kudu,
waterbuck and zebra. Visitors can expect to see
baboon, hyena, jackal, kudu, large prides of
lion, mongoose, oryx, oribi, vervet monkey and
warthog. The rivers in the park abound with
hippo and crocodile. Birdlife includes Peter’s
finfoot, which inhabits the Murera and Ura Rivers,
Pel’s fishing owl, kingfishers, rollers, bee-eaters,
starlings and numerous weavers.
GEORGE ADAMSON’S GRAVEKora National Park contains the grave of George
Adamson, who was shot and killed by bandits or
poachers on 20 August 1989 while attempting
to help a tourist escape. Adamson spent his last
years in Kora and stubbornly refused to leave even
when the violence continued to escalate. He is
buried next to his brother, Terence, who died two
years earlier in the park, and two of his lions.
FIShING Within Kora National Park fishing is permitted at
campsites and along the Tana River.
OThER ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONSCamping, views of Mount Kenya from Meru
National Park, rock climbing in Kora National
Park and inselbergs.
PARKS IN ThIS AREA:
- Kora National Park
- Meru National Park
WhAT TO BRING WITh YOU:
- Drinking water
- Picnic items
- Camping equipment (if you intend to stay overnight)
- Binoculars
- Camera
- hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Guidebooks
Meru National Park contacts:The Senior Warden
PO Box 11, Maua
Tel: +254 (0)61 230 3094
+254 (0)20 210 9508
Email: [email protected]
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
AN UNDISCOVERED hISTORICAL WONDERLAND
NORThERN / 21
Universally recognised as the most likely
site of the biblical Garden of Eden, Sibiloi
National Park is full of fascinating archaeo-
logical sites. Relatively undiscovered, the
KWS parks in northern Kenya are just wait-
ing to be explored.
hISTORY One of the area’s most famous residents was the
Elephant Ahmed who lived in Marsabit National
Park & Reserve. In the 1970s, to demonstrate
Kenya’s commitment to wildlife conservation,
this elephant was given the 24-hour protection
of an armed guard. When Ahmed died, aged 55,
his body was preserved and is now on display at
the National Museum in Nairobi.
LAND OF GOFS Mount Marsabit is peppered with extinct
volcanic craters, known locally as gofs. Cloaked
in aromatic moss-encrusted forests, Gof
Bongole, on the eastern edge of the park, is the
largest and most dramatic of the craters, with a
10 km rim. There are also crater lakes that attract
large numbers of resident birds. The most scenic
is Lake Paradise, made famous in the early films
and writings of Martin Johnson and Vivien de
Wattville.
hUGE-TUSKED ELEPhANT BULLS Marsabit is one of the few places in Africa where
elephants with tusks of over 45 kg can still be
seen, though they tend to keep to the forests
and can be difficult to locate.
REALM OF ThE RAPTORS Renowned for its impressive array of rare and
little-known birds, Marsabit National Park
& Reserve contains 400 recorded species of
birds. This is an ornithologist’s paradise, with
52 species of birds of prey living in the park,
including the very rare lammergeyer.
CAMEL SAFARIS For more adventure loving visitors, camel trek-
king is great fun. Marsabit offers camel safaris
conducted by local tribesmen.
ARChAEOLOGICAL SAFARISKnown as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, Sibiloi
National Park was created to protect the sites of
the many remarkable hominid fossils. In 1972
Dr Richard Leakey and his team discovered a
fossilised skull 2 million years old. The almost
complete skull was labelled Skull 1470 by the
National Museum of Kenya.
Also in Sibiloi, visitors can see the fossil of a 3
million-year-old giant tortoise, an ancient species
of crocodile and a behemoth dating back 1.5
million years.
CROCODILE KINGDOM Sibiloi National Park lies on the shores of Lake
Turkana, home to the world’s largest population
of Nile crocodiles (estimated at 12,000). Despite
their huge size and formidable appearance, the
crocodiles are generally inoffensive beasts living
in harmony with their environment.
OThER ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS Butterfly watching, the Jade Sea and Singing
Wells.
PARKS IN ThIS AREA:
- Marsabit National Park & Reserve
- Sibiloi National Park
WhAT TO BRING WITh YOU:
- Drinking water
- Picnic items
- Camping equipment (if you intend to stay overnight)
- Binoculars
- Camera
- hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Guidebooks
Marsabit National Park contacts: The Warden
PO Box 42, Marsabit, Kenya.
Tel: +254 (0)69 2028
+254 (0)69 2279
Email: [email protected]
Sibiloi National Park contacts: The Warden
PO Box 219, Lodwar, Kenya.
Tel: +254 (0)54 21 223
Email: [email protected]
22 / RESOURCE MOBILISATION
PROTECTINg wILdLIfE TAkES RESOURCES – ANd RESOURCEfULNESS
Kenya’s national parks and reserves risk
becoming ecological islands or even large
zoos as surrounding farms, towns and vil-
lages continue to expand.
Life is clearly getting harder for animals in Kenya.
On the other hand, when large animals wander
from protected areas, they are treading on
someone’s land – a farm, a ranch, a homestead –
which in turn makes life harder for people.
Where communities experience only destruction
from wildlife, the wildlife dwindles. If wildlife is
a burden, without benefit to local people, it is
unlikely to survive outside protected areas.
THREATWithout proper planning, Kenya’s soil is being
ploughed and paved so that wildlife habitat,
including forest, is slowly disappearing outside
protected areas. In addition, the parks and
reserves, which are heavily guarded, become
too small to sustain natural populations of larger
mammals and must be fenced and intensely
managed. For instance, to prevent inbreeding,
animals are shuttled back and forth between
reserves for mating purposes.
TOURISMKenya’s wildlife endowment is one of the world’s
greatest natural spectacles. It is the principal
attraction for 75 per cent of visitors to Kenya.
In turn, tourism is one of the largest sector of
the economy providing foreign exchange and
hundreds of thousands of jobs directly and in
related industries. The nation’s official devel-
opment blueprint for the future, Vision 2030,
envisages that tourism will continue to grow in
importance.
SUCCESSTwo decades ago, the mass slaughter of
elephants and rhinos sparked major conservation
initiatives, including the launch of KWS in 1990.
The elephant population had plunged more than
90 per cent to about 16,000 in 1989. Today,
that number has doubled to 30,000 individuals
thanks to KWS, international conventions,
vigilant anti-poaching, work with communities,
research and translocations. Rangers, scientists,
communities and the private sector have also led
the black rhino from the brink of extinction to
more than 600 animals. National conservation
goals include 700 black rhinos in East Africa by
2010 and 3,000 by 2030.
Successful conservation takes commitment by
people from all walks of life, many of whom
are in partnership with KWS. The organisation
provides technical expertise and oversight for
local authority managed national reserves, works
with researchers to collar and track animals so
as to monitor their populations, movements and
health. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
collaborate with KWS to educate communities
on how to protect themselves, their livestock and
farms against wildlife without killing, and how to
manage their land for conservation.
In future, new and more complex methods of
conservation will need to be implemented. This
is viable only if KWS can secure a more reliable
source of funding. With this in mind, the Kenya
Wildlife Service Fund has recently been established.
kENYA wILdLIfE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
The kenya wildlife Service fund is an endowment fund dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and the world’s heritage.
Sustaining and protecting wild-life in the 21st century and be-yond is more complex and expen-sive than ever. Conservation work today is supported primarily by tourism and international organi-sations. But tourism is notoriously volatile. The kwS fund is designed to provide reliable, consistent fund-ing, despite fluctuating tourist income, shifting politics and the vagaries of international econom-ics. By definition, the principal of an endowment fund cannot be touched: only interest and other income may be tapped. So the fund will be able to support wild-life and community conservation efforts generation after gen-eration. for example, the funds needed for security, research and monitoring, translocations, infrastructure and other require-ments in kenya’s national parks alone come to US$72 million (kES 5.4 billion) annually. This does
not include the needs of national reserves or private or community conservancies.
TARgET
The endowment fund’s goal is US$100 million over a decade. At an assumed interest rate of 10 per cent a year, about US$10 mil-lion a year will then be available.
HOw IS THE fUNd MANAgEd?
The fund is managed by a board of trustees made up of interna-tionally recognised experts in conservation and finance. The board comprises between nine and 13 trustees and is appointed for three years.
It includes the chairman and director of kwS. Trustees are personally and collectively re-sponsible and liable for the fund. fund management follows inter-national accounting standards, with all transactions transparent and all books audited yearly by independent auditors.
Everyone can contribute to the fund, including visitors, founda-
tions, the government of kenya, multilateral and bilateral assist-ance, corporations and concerned citizens in kenya and around the world.
In addition to donations from individuals, corporations and de-velopment partners, funds have been received via the following events and organisations.
- kenya wildlife Service Animal Adoption Programme (which gives half its proceeds to the fund)
- To Hells gate on wheelbarrow event held every June at Hell’s gate National Park
- Cycle with the Rhino event held each September at Lake Nakuru National Park.
for more information log onto www.kws.go.ke or email [email protected].
kENYA wILdLIfE SERVICE fUNd
24 / PROJECTIONS fOR THE fUTURE
NEw CHALLENgES AHEAd fOR wILdLIfE CONSERVATION
Kenya is home to many species of wild-
life. Some are abundant, while others are
threatened by natural and human factors.
From fossil evidence and theoretical knowledge
of environmental conditions, it is evident that
many species have been wiped out over time.
While extinction is a natural phenomenon that
occurs gradually over millennia, there is no doubt
that human activities speed up the process. The
main challenge is to minimise human-induced
threats that may shorten life expectancy and
hasten the extinction of species.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is a state corpora-
tion established by Act of Parliament to conserve
and manage the nation’s wildlife. Through
support from various sources including the
Government and donors, KWS has drastically
reduced poaching while enlisting support for
conservation, establishing the infrastructure and
developing human capacity. As a result of these
efforts, former stable populations of wildlife and
their habitats have been restored.
Killed for meat or medicinal purposes and in
constant competition for food with domestic
livestock, Grevy’s zebra has endured one of the
greatest reductions of any African mammal, with
numbers declining from about 15,000 in the late
1970s to about 2,000 now. Today, they are only
found in Kenya and North and South Ethiopia.
ENdANgEREd Cheetah and wild dog present major challenges
for conservationists. Wild dog are listed as
‘endangered’ and cheetah ‘vulnerable’ by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Over 80 per cent of cheetah and two-thirds of
wild dog habitat falls outside protected areas,
in private and community lands. So conserva-
tion activities outside protected areas are vital to
ensure these populations are conserved.
KWS, with other stakeholders, has devised
conservation and management strategies aimed
at mitigating the threat to the survival of certain
species’, increasing their numbers and building a
foundation for their long-term conservation.
Currently, these strategies are targeted at three
main types of wildlife:
• Cheetah and wild dog
• Grevy’s zebra
• Lion and spotted hyena.
Similar schemes will soon be implemented for
bongo, sitatunga and primates.
CLIMATE Climate change affects life at all levels of the
ecosystem. In particular, the big cats are affected
in various ways. Their feeding habits are altered
by changes in the habitat and, especially in
droughts, there is limited access to food. As a
result, they are forced to widen their home range
and this, in turn, leads to more conflict between
humans and wildlife.
kENYA wILdLIfE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
The kenya wildlife Service Animal Adoption Programme gives an op-portunity for individuals or corpo-rations to sponsor an animal at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, which cares for abducted, abandoned and injured wild animals.
Every animal at the orphanage has specific needs. The support goes di-rectly into the upkeep of the animals by providing food, medicine, toys, translocations, cage construction, maintenance, repairs and supplies.
Half of each sponsorship is direct-ed to the kwS fund.
To date, 15 wild animals have been adopted by six corporate organisa-tions and 15 individual sponsors.
The animal orphanage holds an annual Honorary Adopters Home-coming feeding day and a Christ-mas party. These events bring together foster parents and other potential adoptees to spend time with the orphaned animals. guests are encouraged to bring gifts such as blankets for the cubs, balloons, toys and playing balls.
The orphanage has a capacity of 62 animals. Based on the cost of its yearly upkeep, each animal is divid-ed into shares of kES 1,000 each. So people can become a foster parent for a minimum of kES 1,000.
There are six categories of adop-tion, determined by the fee:
- Big game – lion, cheetah, leopard, rhino and buffalo - Carnivores and other herbivores - Small antelopes - Primates - Reptiles - Birds.
UNRESTRICTEd dONATIONS
In this category donations are not restricted to any particular use and will go to an area of greatest need at the orphanage.
AdOPTION PROCEdURE
- Identify the animal of choice at the orphanage or the kwS animal gallery on the website (www. kws.go.ke).
- Complete an adoption form at the reception office in the orphanage. This can be downloaded from the kwS website.
- Submit the form and pay at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage cash office (online payment will be available soon).
BENEfITS
- Adoption certificate - fact sheet on the adopted animal - Annual report on the adopted animal - Quarterly newsletters - Recognition on the animal adoption website - full-colour 4 x 6 picture of the adopted animal
- Invitation to Homecoming feeding day at the orphanage - Adoption T-shirt.
kwS APPEAL
kwS encourages everyone to be-come an honorary adopting parent or sponsor by helping the orphan-age meet the daily needs and requirements of the animals. dona-tions help provide food, toys and supplies; medicinal and veterinary care; translocations; cage construc-tion, maintenance and repairs.
kwS is grateful to everyone who has participated in the programme through contribution towards the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and would like to thanks the following; The Prime Minister Republic of kenya, the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga; the world 100 metres champion Usain Bolt; the former world 110 metres hurdles champion Colin Jackson; Miss Rosemary Odinga; Bangura dalvin; Maliq Aaron; federica Volla; Michelle wilkinson; Madison Ashworth; gulamabbas M. Mohamedali; Stuart wentzel; Rajeen Nangia; Barbara finn; Su-san webb and gibran and Raiaan Parekh.
The following corporations also made adoptions contributions: East Africa Safari Ventures, down Syn-drome Society of kenya, Resolution Health, kenya Methodist University and the kenya Tourist Board.
ANIMAL AdOPTION PROgRAMME
Contact details: Resource Mobilisation, KWS
Tel: +254 (0)20 600 0800
+254 (0)20 600 2345
(Ext 2128, 2119, 2241, 2190,
2122, 2229)
Email: [email protected]
www.kws.go.ke
Contributions:Account Name: Kenya Wildlife Service
Endowment Fund
Bank: Standard Chartered
Branch: Lang’ata
Bank Code: 03
Branch Code: 073
Swift Code: SCBLKENXAXXX
Account Number: 01044-330374-19
26 / HUMAN/wILdLIfE CONfLICT
HELPINg PEOPLE ANd ANIMALS TO LIVE IN HARMONY
Kenya has a rich diversity of wildlife that
makes it the ultimate tourist destination.
Kenyans realise the benefits of wildlife tour-
ism and use protected area system manage-
ment in their national parks and reserves in
order to control and preserve it. However,
these measures are still not able to fully con-
tain wildlife within physical boundaries.
Recent studies of wildlife movement and behav-
iour show that most of the wild animals continue
to live outside the protected areas where they
come into conflict with people on a daily basis
owing to competition for natural resources,
thus coining the phrase human/wildlife conflict
(HWC). This can result in human death, injuries,
predation and destruction of property.
There are five categories of HWC within Kenya:
1. Rapid increase in human population
resulting in the occupation of land formally
occupied by wildlife.
This happens when people settle on land formerly
occupied by wildlife and engage in activities such
as agriculture or livestock keeping. The main prob-
lems are competition for limited resources like
water and pasture; and transmission of diseases
from wildlife to livestock and vice versa.
Kitengela is a large area of savannah bordering
the famous Nairobi National Park (NNP). This
area was initially a corridor between the
Amboseli ecosystem and NNP. The park is
less than 10 km from the capital and this has
meant an ever-growing interaction with human
activities. As it has expanded, the capital has
encroached on the natural wildlife corridor,
halting the seasonal wildlife movement into NNP
from the surrounding area and inevitably causing
more contact between people and wildlife.
2. Unfavourable wildlife laws and policies
create a hostile attitude to wildlife.
Although human injury and death by animals is
compensated by the state, crop destruction and
property destroyed by wildlife are not. For example,
if a leopard kills a citizen’s livelihood of sheep and
goats, no compensation would be granted, thus
creating a negative feeling towards wildlife.
3. Land tenure changes, subdivision, adju-
dication and demarcation of smallholdings.
Such changes and developments tend to ignore the
fact that wildlife has always existed in the area and
so it has nowhere else to go once such activities
start. In such instances, the animals are considered
a threat to humans or seen as a nuisance.
4. Loss of land and displacement of settled
communities during creation of protected
areas.
For instance, the Maasai community believes
its needs were not considered when protected
areas in Maasai land were being established.
5. Climatic change attributed to HWC.
A good example was in 1997 when Kenya experi-
enced El Niño rains. This saw most of the wildlife,
especially herbivores, migrate from the parks. As a
result, lion prides would stray out of the parks for
longer periods because numbers of prey were low
within the protected areas. The El Niño rains also
created a lot of temporary wetlands, causing the
kENYA wILdLIfE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
/ 27
hippo population in Kenya to migrate to areas not
originally inhabited by hippos. This has been one of
the causes of conflict between hippos and humans
in Kenya. In addition, with the exit of El Niño came
La Niña, a prolonged dry spell favourable to reptile
multiplication. This in turn led to an increase in
reported cases involving reptiles. In particular, there
were more snake attacks on community people.
HwC – A PROACTIVE APPROACH When KWS was set up in 1989 it soon realised
the scale of the HWC conflicts and formed the
Community Wildlife Service (CWS) department
to manage wildlife outside the protected areas.
The department has used a proactive approach
to managing conflicts by either preventing them
or dealing efficiently with the repercussions. This
has been achieved with the help of stakeholders
and participating communities.
This approach has been assisted by information
technology. At KWS headquarters, the depart-
ment has a functional database where most of
the reported conflict cases are input and analysed
into conflict trends. This has helped KWS to
engage in preventive HWC management.
PROBLEM ANIMALSPAMU (problem animal management unit) is a
strategy to address the escalating human/wild-
life conflict in areas of high conflict. Formed in
2006, PAMU comprises a highly trained mobile
team of 41 men. They can be divided into four
fully equipped units that can be simultane-
ously deployed to high-conflict zones. PAMU’s
proactive approach to wildlife management
has helped the service to achieve an enhanced
corporate image and positive public attitude to
wildlife conservation and management owing to
its swift response.
wILdLIfE BARRIERSThe Community Wildlife Service (CWS) depart-
ment is tasked with designing, planning and
installing protective barriers for various wildlife
species – for instance moats for hippos, lion-
proof enclosures for homesteads in pastoral
areas and special fencing to deter various wildlife
species. So far, these barriers have proved effec-
tive when designed, constructed and maintained
efficiently.
COMMUNITY AwARENESSThe CWS department employs Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) with the aim of reaching
out to communities that host wildlife and
helping them to improve their livelihoods. These
communities are supported through public
education (conservation activities and commu-
nity study tours); health (clinics/dispensaries and
support for medical camps); provision of clean
water (shallow wells, hand pumps, water tanks,
boreholes and other water points); and emer-
gency assistance. This has helped to shorten the
distance to water areas and to reduce contact
with wildlife.
There is no doubt that CSR has been a success;
however, in recent years, KWS has launched the
Community Enterprise Programme, which will
strengthen community-based wildlife conserva-
tion and ecotourism for wealth generation and
poverty alleviation. This, in turn, will motivate
communities to conserve and accommodate
wildlife as a form of economic land use, while
implementing measures to mitigate human/
wildlife conflicts. While the CSR was giving
communities fish, the new programme will
teach them how to fish. This will provide
communities with tangible benefits from wild-
life conservation.
OTHER MEASURESThe impact of human/wildlife conflict on communities always calls for kwS to take responsibil-ity for the destruction of people’s livelihoods in order for them to appreciate wildlife conservation. working with other depart-ments, CwS uses various strategic measures to minimise conflicts:
- Translocation of problematic animal species away from an ecosystem whose carrying capacity is exceeded.
- Animal scarers such as auditory appliances to keep the animals away from community areas.
- diversion tactics to minimise HwC. for example, kwS will provide alternative water for wildlife within a particular wildlife area to reduce the number of animals moving to community areas to find water.
- kwS facilitates a government approved compensation scheme, designed ton prevent communities from taking direct action against the animals that affect them.
- Tracking of particular animals such as the lead female in an elephant family and tracking of problematic cats.
- Putting down or elimination of very problematic animals.
- kwS staff and other stakeholders are continuously making the public aware of human/wildlife do’s and don’ts in wildlife areas. The community is also encouraged to participate by taking steps to minimise wildlife-related destruction.
28 / kENYA’S MARINE PROTECTEd AREAS
fINdINg NEw wAYS TO CONSERVE OCEAN HABITATS
The world’s oceans and coasts are crucially
important to humankind. Over 60 mil-
lion people in eastern and southern Africa
depend on the goods and services provided
by the coastal and marine ecosystems of
coastal East Africa.
PROTECTIONKenya is determined to protect its marine
environment by looking at marine management
more holistically. The urgency now is to shift
from a piecemeal to a more integrated approach
to management that incorporates ecological
and socioeconomic aspects. On the basis of the
various conventions and protocols, Kenya applied
strategies on the protection and conservation of
the marine environment.
The use of protected areas to facilitate the main-
tenance and recovery of biological resources has
been practised by Kenya for decades now. They
have been used to protect such critical ecosys-
tems as coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves.
Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems that
sustain livelihoods. They are under intense pres-
sure because many people depend on them for
their survival.
The decline of coral reefs in East Africa, and
particularly Kenya, will devastate the local
tourism and fisheries economy, which sustains a
big coastal population.
TOURISMThe strategy of using Marine Protected Areas
(MPAs) has done much to help Kenya’s marine
environment stay healthy and sustain local
economies that rely on the marine environment.
The tourism sector has benefited strongly from
the strategy, particularly ecotourism. MPAs have
helped safeguard productive populations of
commercial fish species, thus safeguarding the
industries and populations that depend on them.
Sustainable tourism development provides a
host of employment opportunities, especially
for women, young people and indigenous
communities. Tourism in MPAs can benefit
coastal communities though income and
employment, infrastructure and alternative
livelihood, helping to offset the closure of
fisheries. In Kenya, about 2,000 local people
are employed directly in the marine parks in
ecotourism ventures.
Both government agencies and private sector
realise the potential of the marine resources to
galvanise interest in Kenya’s coastal regions for
nature tourism and help to promote better
management of beaches, inshore areas and
fishing grounds. Local communities are getting
more and more involved in marine conservation as
they enjoy both direct benefits (ecotourism) and
indirect benefits (sounder coastal management).
PARTNERSHIPDespite Kenya’s many efforts in ocean conser-
vation, the current framework for managing
regional marine environment is inadequate. This
region is subject to many international agree-
ments on protecting the marine environment.
At member state level, progress has also been
hampered by the fact that purely national
measures cannot influence the activities of other
countries bordering a given marine area. To meet
the challenges of the 21st century, we need to
develop a knowledge base for informed policy-
making at all levels of governance.
BY ARTHUR TUdA
Senior warden, wildlife Utilisation, Compliance and Monitoring, TCA/CCA
kENYA wILdLIfE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
MARINE wILdLIfE COdE:- Check local weather and sea conditions before entering the marine park.
- Some marine life is dangerous; do not touch anything under water.
- do not damage or remove corals. It is a living organism which takes many years to form and is host to many rare and endangered species.
- do not remove shells, starfish or any other sea flora or fauna. Removal is illegal, seriously disrupts the eco system and some marine life is dangerous. The areas outside the parks and reserves is threatened by excessive shell collection. Empty shells provide homes for hermit crabs and some fish.
- do not buy shells and other marine animal products as souvenirs as this encourages further plundering of the reefs and beaches.
- Never dispose of litter on the beach or in the sea. It is illegal and environmentally unfriendly. Marine turtles can confuse clear plastic waste with jelly fish and will die if they eat it.
- Hand-feeding of fish is discouraged. It disrupts normal feeding patterns.
- Hook and line fishing is allowed in the Marine Reserves but prohibited in Marine Parks. Spear guns are not permitted for use in either.
- Environmentally friendly activities such as snorkelling and diving are encouraged, under the supervision of the kenya wildlife Service wardens, who work closely with tour operators and hoteliers to ensure strict adherence to this code of practice.
- Avoid restaurants that serve undersized crabs and lobsters as this contributes to their rapid demise.
- Support traditional coastal livelihoods and do not give money to children on the beach, as this can encourage them to stay away from school.
30 / MANAgINg PARkS
gOOd PARk MANAgEMENT IS VITAL fOR OUR fUTURE
Wildlife conservation in Kenya has under-
gone a long journey of transformation since
independence in 1963. Today, there are 22
national parks and 28 national reserves to
conserve our natural and cultural heritage
for the enjoyment of current and future
generations.
The National Parks Management has succeeded
beyond the originators’ wildest dreams. The
parks are meccas for warm-weather vacationists,
an ideal getaway destination for domestic and
international tourists, and a place for researchers
to rediscover the complex systems of nature. In
these days of concern about personal security,
the national parks are considered safe places to
take a family. Kenya is known around the world
for its wildlife-based tourism, which accounts for
12 per cent of the national economy.
PROTECTEd AREASEight per cent of the country’s total land area
is contained in the national parks and reserves
managed by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). These
areas were created to preserve geological splen-
dours, historical sites and structures, recreational
spaces around urban areas, lakes and seashores,
long-distance trails, rivers and places that
chronicle the nation’s social history.
The role of KWS has greatly expanded. Today,
it works in communities across Kenya, helping
people to preserve their heritage and their
recreation lands. Grants and assistance are
offered to save historical places, to create state
and community parks and to build recreation
facilities.
dAY-TO-dAY OPERATIONKenya’s protected areas are clustered in eight
regions for ease of management and also
based on their proximity to each other and the
similarity of their ecology (mountain, savannah
and marine). Each region has a 10-year manage-
ment plan developed through a Protected Area
Planning Framework (PAPF) and all parks in the
area follow the plan in running their day-to-day
activities. The plan sets out strategic guidance on
management goals and how to achieve them. In
addition, it has five management programmes,
each covering a key aspect:
• Ecological Management
• Tourism Development & Management
• Community Partnership & Conservation
Education
• Security
• Protected Area Operations.
The approach is to improve the visitor experi-
ence in the high-use zones while minimising the
environmental impact by improving driver/guide
and visitor conduct and offering a greater variety
of tourist attractions and amenities.
COMMUNITYThe Community Partnership & Conservation
Education Programme is designed to strengthen
community support for the park’s programmes
and participation in conservation compatible land
uses across the landscape surrounding the parks.
The CWS department in each terrestrial park
must ensure that mechanisms are in place to
BY YUSSUf AdAN
Senior warden, Tsavo East National Park
kENYA wILdLIfE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
enable parks and communities to work together
for the common good of conservation and
community well-being.
SECURITYWildlife security is of paramount importance
in Kenya, especially since the focus of illegal
activities has now shifted to indiscriminate
bushmeat poaching, while the black-market
trophy trade continues to thrive. So the security
programme aims to ensure the safety of the
natural resources, staff, visitors and assets within
the parks by providing really effective security
services. The parks have 24-hour security. They
also used improved data management to combat
wildlife crimes and work with cross-border
authorities.
EdUCATIONWhile community awareness and education
can win support for wildlife, poverty and the
overdependence of communities on natural
resources have to be addressed to secure the
safe existence of wildlife in the dispersal areas.
On the flip side, wildlife may choose to confine
itself in safe park areas and avoid areas of high
disturbance.
Looking to the future, our parks must adopt a
positive programme of education and awareness
by providing education of students and visitors
of all ages, both inside and outside the parks. At
a national level, conservation should become a
bigger part of the nation’s education system.
HERITAgE Parks need to adopt the conservation of biodi-
versity as a core principle and to achieve sustain-
able use and management of resources both in
policy and practice. Park management should
also acknowledge the links between native
cultures and the parks, encourage collaborative
and all-inclusive resource management with
active community involvement in managing park
and recreation systems and encourage the initia-
tion of community-managed parks.
The sound management of parks is a key
responsibility. Our quality of life, our health and
well-being, depend on the protection of nature,
access to open space and recreation oppor-
tunities, and preservation of landmarks that
illustrate our history. By caring for the parks and
conveying the park ethic, we care for ourselves
and act on behalf of the future. The larger
purpose of this mission is to build a citizenry that
is committed to conserving its heritage and its
home on earth.
- Respect the privacy of the wildlife; this is their habitat.
- Beware of the animals; they are wild and can be unpredictable.
- don’t crowd the animals or make sudden noises or movements.
- don’t feed the animals; it upsets their diet and leads to human dependence.
- keep quiet. Noise disturbs the wildlife and may antagonise your fellow visitors.
- Stay in your vehicle at all times, except at designated picnic or walking areas.
- keep below the maximum speed limit (40 kph/25 mph).
- Never drive off-road; this severely damages the habitat.
- when viewing wildlife, keep to a minimum distance of 20 metres and pull to the side of the road so as to allow others to pass.
- Leave no litter and never leave fi res unattended or discard burning objects.
- Respect the cultural heritage of kenya. Never take pictures of the local people or their habitat without asking their permission. Respect the cultural traditions of kenya and always dress with decorum.
- Stay over or leave before dusk. Visitors must vacate the park between 6 pm and 6 am unless they are camping overnight. Night game driving is not allowed.
This is a card used at kwS by its visitors to enable them get access to the National Parks, which costs over and above the park entry fee.
Safaricards are used to gain access to Nairobi, Amboseli, Tsavo East, Tsavo west, Lake Nakuru and Aberdare National Parks. All other parks and reserves use paper tickets.
The card is issued and loaded with money at the Point of Issue (POI) and Point of Sale (POS) respectively and deducted at the park entrance Point of Access (POA).
for more information log onto www.kws.go.ke or email [email protected]
/ 33
THE wILdLIfE COdE
kENYA wILdLIfE SERVICEtourism & conservation manual
SAfARI CARdS
LakeVictoria
Lake Turkana
Indian Ocean
K E N Y AK E N Y AK E N Y A
1
19
2015
1112
7
922
24
1725
4
27
14
186
23
21
2
529 28
26
8
16
3013
3
10
34 /
aberdare nationaL parK / Majestic peaks, moorlands and fallsAccess: Tarmac road from Nyeri and Naro Moru on the eastern side (160 km from Nairobi). Mweiga Airstrip is located next to the park headquarters.
Climate: Mist and rain throughout much of the year.
Safaricard required: Yes.
Activities: Mountain climbing, picnics, trout fi shing, game viewing, camping and trekking.
Wildlife: Large population of black rhino, leopard, serval cat and many endemic bird species. Endangered species include bongo, giant forest hog, packs of wild dogs and mole shrew.
Where to stay: The Ark, The Aberdare Country Club, Tree Tops, Ruhuruini, Tusk Camp. Public campsites: Reedbuck, Ruhuruini, Wandare, Shamata.
parK Listings
aMboseLi nationaL parK / Kilimanjaro’s royal courtAccess: The main road into the park is from Nairobi via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi-Arusha road. The park has an airstrip for light aircraft.
Size/Location: 390 sq km/Loitoktok District, Rift Valley Province.
Climate: Temperatures from 20 to 30°C and rainfall from 200 to 700 mm.
Safaricard required: Yes
Activities: Game viewing, camping, birdwatching and photography.
Wildlife: Leopard, cheetah, wild dog, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, crocodile, mongoose, hyrax, dik-dik, lesser kudu and nocturnal porcupine. The prolifi c birdlife features 600 species.
1 aberdare national park2 amboseli national park3 arabuko sokoke Forest reserve4 central island national park5 chyulu hills national park6 hells gate national park7 Kakamega Forest national reserve8 Kisite Mpunguti Marine park9 Kisumu impala sanctuary10 Kiunga Marine reserve11 Kora national park12 Lake nakuru national park13 Malindi Marine national park14 Marsabit national park & reserve15 Meru national park16 Mombasa Marine park17 Mount elgon national park18 Mount Longonot national park19 Mount Kenya national park20 Mwea national reserve21 nairobi national park22 ndere island national park23 ol donyo sabuk national park24 ruma national park25 saiwa swamp national park26 shimba hills national reserve27 sibiloi national park28 tsavo east national park29 tsavo west national park30 watamu Marine park
Kenya wiLdLiFe servicetourism & conservation manual
Access: 415 km from Nairobi by road, via Nakuru and Kapsabet.
Size/Location: 44 sq km/Western Province.
Climate: Temperature ranges from 20 to 30°C and rainfall from 200 to 700 mm. Two rainy seasons: long rains from March to April and short rains in November and December.
Activities: Birdwatching, butterfl y spotting and primate watching.
KaKaMega Forest nationaL reserve / Canopy of natural beautyWildlife: Bush pig, duiker, bushbuck, clawless otter, mongoose, giant water shrew, squirrel, tree pangolin, porcupine, bats and primates (including the endangered DeBrazza’s monkey).
Where to stay: Various campsites and KWS self-catered accommodation located in the park.
Access: 75 km from Mombasa town.
Size/Location: 6 sq km/Between the towns of Kilifi and Malindi
Climate: Average annual rainfall from 900 mm to 1,100 mm.
Activities: Birdwatching, butterfl y spotting,walking trails and game viewing.
Wildlife: Golden-rumped elephant shrew, sokoke bushy-tailed mongoose, Ader’s
arabuKo soKoKe Forest reserve / Last large remnant of coastal tropical forestsduiker, waterbuck, African civet, blotched genet, caracal, Sykes’ monkeys and several bird species. Numerous reptiles including boomslang, green mamba, rock python, forest cobra, sand lizard and day geullo.
Where to stay: There is no accommodation in the reserve, however a wide variety is available along the coast to suit all budgets.
Access: Reachable by road from Nairobi or Tsavo West. The park has two airstrips.
Size/Location: 741 sq km/Kibwezi District, Eastern Province
Climate: Temperature ranges from 20 to 30°C. There are two rainy seasons: the long rains from March to April and short rains in November and December.
chyuLu hiLLs nationaL parK / Hemingway’s green hills of AfricaActivities: Cave exploration, game viewing, camping, mountain hiking, horse riding and birdwatching.
Wildlife: Commonly seen animals include buffalo, bushbuck, eland, elephant, leopard, giant forest hog, bush pig, reedbuck and steinbok. Reptiles include black mamba, puff adder, rock python, gecko and tortoise.
Where to stay: The park has three public campsites.
Access: 800 km from Nairobi by road. There are two airstrips nearby at Sibiloi.
Climate: Hot and dry.
Attractions: Three crater lakes (Crocodile Lake, Flamingo Lake and Tilapia Lake) and an active volcano.
Activities: Crocodile hatching and camping.
centraL isLand nationaL parK / Kingdom of the crocodileWildlife: Reptiles, including an estimated 12,000 crocodile, saw-scaled viper, night and puff adder and cobra. There are 84 species of water birds and various birds of prey.
Access: Tarmac road from Nairobi (90 km) via Naivasha or by Naivasha air strip.
Size/Location: 68 sq km/Naivasha, Rift Valley Province.
Climate: Temperatures from 20 to 30°C and rainfall from 200 to 700 mm.
Activities: Game viewing, rock climbing, camping, raptors nesting in cliffs, gorge walk, nature trails and picnicking.
heLLs gate nationaL parK / A walk on the wild sideWildlife: Buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, giraffe, baboon, serval cat, klipspringer and 103 species of bird.
Where to stay: There is no accommodation in the park; although a wide range of accommodation is available in Naivasha and along Moi South Lake Road.
Access: 355 km north of Nairobi. Flights from Nairobi take around one hour.
Size: Less than 1 sq km.
Climate: Hot and humid.
Activities: Game viewing,and picnicking.
Wildlife: Leopard, hyena, olive baboon, vervet monkey, impala, jackal, ostrich and hippo.
Kisite Mpunguti Marine parK / Home to the dolphins, coconut crabAccess: Tour company boats and local community dhows from Shimoni.
Size/Location: 39 sq km/South coast.
Climate: Humid.
Activities: Snorkelling, diving and birdwatching.
Marine life: More than 250 recorded fish species, dolphins, sea turtles, whales, corals, sea grass, endemic coconut crab and gastropods.
Where to stay: Currently no accommodation in the reserve. Visitors can stay in Diani town which offers various accommodation options.
Access: Kiunga is a remote, unspoilt village on the mainland about 150 km by road east of Lamu.
Size/Location: 270 sq km/Lamu District, Coast province.
Climate: Humid.
Activities: Windsurfing, diving, snorkelling, water-skiing and sunbathing.
Kiunga Marine reserve / Enchanted underwater worldMarine life: Sea turtles, olive ridley and leatherback turtles, reef fish, lobsters, sea urchins, sea stars and crabs.
Where to stay: Munira Island Camp, Kiwayu Safari Village, 2 km north of Kiwayu village, this is a group of simple Bandas with restaurant and bar facilities.
LaKe naKuru nationaL parK / A birdwatchers’ paradiseAccess: A tarmac road connecting to Nairobi (156 km). The Naishi airstrip services the park.
Size/Location: 188 sq km/Nakuru, Rift Valley Province. 160 km north-west of Nairobi
Climate: Temperatures from 20 to 30°C and rainfall from 200 to 700 mm.
Activities: Game viewing, birdwatching and camping.
Wildlife: Flamingo, rhino, leopard, lion, hyena and buffalo and nearly 450 species of terrestrial birds.
Where to stay: Lake Nakuru Lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. Campsites; Chui, Rhino, Soysambu, Nyati, Nyuki and Reedbuck. Public campsites; Makalia and Backpackers. Self-catering; Naishi House. Accommodation is also available outside the park.
KisuMu iMpaLa sanctuary / A lakeshore walk with impalasWhere to stay: No accommodation within the park. Visitors can stay in Kisumu town which offers plenty of accommodation options.
Access: 348 km from Nairobi via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru.
Size/Location: 870 sq km/North-east of Mount Kenya in Meru District of Eastern Province.
Climate: Semi-arid with irregular rainfall.
Activities: Game viewing and camping.
Meru/Kora nationaL parK / Complete wildernessWildlife: Zebra, elephant, eland, bush pig, waterbuck, cheetah, leopard, reticulated giraffe, hippo, bohor reedbuck, hartebeest, python, puff adder, cobra, buffalo and over 300 recorded species of birds.
Where to stay: Elsa’s Kopje, Leopard Rock Lodge, a number of KWS self-catering options and camping facilities.
Location: Mombasa
Climate: Hot and humid.
Attractions: Dive sites, coral gardens and Mombasa beach.
Activities: Diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, water-skiing and other water sports.
MoMbasa Marine parK / Popular snorkelling and diving locationMarine life: Crabs, corals, sea urchins, jellyfish, sea stars and sea cucumbers.
Access: 110 km north of Mombasa. By air: Malindi Airport.
Location: South-eastern Kenya.
Climate: Temperatures from 20 to 30°C and rainfall from 200 to 700 mm. Long rains from March to April and short rains in November and December.
Activities: Swimming, boat excursions, trips to the tidal island of Manyugu, glass-
MaLindi Marine nationaL parK / Africa’s oldest marine parkbottomed boat, nature walks, snorkelling and diving.
Marine life: Crabs, corals, sea urchins, jellyfish, sea stars, sea cucumbers, fish, turtle and dolphins.
Where to stay: Currently no accommodation in the reserve. Visitors can stay in Malindi town which offers various accommodation options.
Marsabit nationaL parK & reserve / The misty mountain paradiseAccess: From Nairobi, reachable via Nanyuki and lsiolo (620 km). Airstrip at Marsabit, 4 km from the main gate.
Size/Location: 1,554 sq km/Marsabit District, Eastern Province.
Climate: January to March is hot and dry, April to June is hot and wet, July to October is warm and dry and November and December are warm and wet.
Activities: Game viewing, birdwatching safaris, camel safaris, community visits and camping.
Wildlife: Elephant, buffalo, greater kudu, hyena, Grevy’s zebra, Kirk’s dik-dik, reticulated giraffe, lion, leopard and baboon.
Where to stay: Marsabit Lodge and two public campsites.
Mount Kenya nationaL parK / Come touch the skyAccess: 175 km from Nairobi, the park can be reached on Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon Track or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru. There is an airstrip at Nanyuki.
Size/Location: 2,800 sq km/east of the Rift Valley.
Climate: Varies with altitude.
Activities: Game viewing, camping, mountain climbing and cave exploration.
Wildlife: Elephant, tree hyrax, white-tailed mongoose, suni, black-fronted duiker, mole rat, bushbuck, waterbuck and eland. Rarely seen animals include leopard, bongo, giant forest hog and rhino.
Where to stay: Batian Guesthouse and Sirimon Bandas. Numerous camping facilities and public campsites.
Access: 160 km from Nairobi, via Thika-Matuu-Masinga Dam. By Air: Masinga airstrip near Masinga lodge.
Size/Location: 42 sq km/Mbeere District, Eastern Province.
Climate: Semi-arid.
Activities: Game viewing, boat rides at Kamburu Dam and walking circuits.
Mwea nationaL reserve / An undiscovered oasis of tranquillityWildlife: Elephant, lesser kudu, Nile crocodile, hippo, giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, buffalo, leopard, grey duiker, black-backed jackal, bushbuck, waterbuck, olive baboon, Sykes’ monkey, serval cat and spotted hyena.
Where to stay: There are no lodges, tented camps or self-catering accommodation options in Mwea. Masinga Lodge (located at Masinga Dam) and a number of camping facilities can be found outside the reserve.
Access: 10 km South of Nairobi City Centre.
Size/Location: 117 sq km/Nairobi Province.
Climate: January-March is hot and dry, April-June is hot and wet, and July-October is very warm and wet.
Safaricard required: Yes
Facilities: Bush dinners, weddings, picnics, team building sessions and film production.
nairobi nationaL parK / The world’s only wildlife capitalActivities: Game viewing, corporate/ special events, Three-star Rangers Restaurant.
Wildlife: Animals include buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, baboon, zebra, wildebeest and cheetah. There are 100 mammal species and 400 migratory and endemic bird species.
Where to stay: No in-park accommodation. Plenty of accommodation to choose from in the city of Nairobi.
Access: Mount. Elgon is located 420 km from Nairobi. Access is via tarmac road via Kitale. There is also an airstrip in the park.
Size/Location: 196 sq km/Western border of Kenya with Uganda, in Trans-Nzoia District of Rift Valley Province.
Climate: Moist to moderate dry.
Activities: Mountain climbing, horse riding, picnicking, camping and birdwatching.
Mount Longonot nationaL parK / Sheer adventure
Mount eLgon nationaL parK / Untamed wilderness, secluded splendour
Access: Accessible via a tarmac road from Nairobi (90 km).
Size/Location: 52 sq km/Naivasha, Rift Valley Province.
Climate: Temperature ranges from 20° to 30°C and rainfall from 200 to 700 mm.
Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, biking, walking and viewing Lake Naivasha.
Wildlife: Elephant, leopard, giant forest hog, bushbuck, buffalo, duiker, black and white colobus, blue monkey, golden cat and more than 240 bird species including the African crowned eagle, Ross’s turaco and red-fronted parrot.
Where to stay: There are three public campsites and self-catered accommodation.
Wildlife: Buffalo, gazelle, impala, giraffe, eland, lion, leopard, bushbuck, zebra, Grant’s gazelle and Thomson’s gazelle.
Where to stay: There is no accommodation in the park; although a wide range of accommodations options are available in Naivasha town and along Moi South Lake Road.
ndere isLand nationaL parK / Island of serenity and beautyAccess: Access to the park can be by road or boat from Kisumu. Kisumu Airport is 60 km away.
Location: Kisumu District of Nyanza Province.
Climate: Hot and humid.
Facilities: Well maintained walking trails.
Activities: Walking and game viewing.
Wildlife: African fish eagle, hippo, impala and Nile crocodile.
Where to stay: There are two campsites within the park.
Access: Main access is from Kisumu via Homa Bay – 140 km.
Size/Location: 120 sq km/western Kenya close to the shores of Lake Victoria.
Climate: Hot and humid.
Activities: Game viewing, birdwatching, picnicking, camping and team building exercises.
ruMa nationaL parK / Last retreat of the roan antelopeWildlife: Roan antelope, leopard, buffalo, hyena, Rothschild’s giraffe, oribi, Jackson’s and Lelwel hartebeest, impala, bohor reedbuck, serval cat, topi, baboon, vervet monkey, honey badger and bush pig.
Where to stay: Two campsites, Nyati campsite which is a special campsite and Fig tree campsite which is a public campsite and a backpacker’s haven.
Access: Take the Likoni ferry from Mombasa, take the road climbing to Kwale Town (C106). The main gate is 3 km from Kwale.
Size/Location: 300 sq km/33 km South of Mombasa, in Kwale district of Coast Province.
Climate: Hot and humid.
Activities: Game viewing, camping and trekking.
shiMba hiLLs nationaL reserve / The Paradise of Sable AntelopeWildlife: The endangered sable antelope, elephant, giraffe, leopard, genet, civet cat, hyena, waterbuck, bush pig, buffalo, African bush baby, bushbuck, coastal black and white colobus monkey.
Where to stay: Shimba Hills Lodge Block Hotels, KWS self-catering accommodation, there are four public campsites.
Access: 22 km from Kitale on the Kitale-Kapenguria tarmac road. Kitale airstrip is 22 km away from the park.
Size/Location: 2.9 sq km/Trans Nzoia District, Rift Valley Province
Climate: Ranges from warm to cool and humid.
saiwa swaMp nationaL parK / Sitatunga’s aquatic domainActivities: Game viewing and camping.
Wildlife: Sitatunga, monkey, otter, genet cat, serval cat, mongoose, bushbuck and ratel.
Where to stay: Tree Top House, Sirikwa Tented Camp and camping facilities.
oL donyo sabuK nationaL parK / Ultimate panoramic experienceAccess: 85 km north-east of Nairobi by road.
Size/Location: 20.7 sq km/Eastern Province.
Climate: January to March is hot and dry, April to June hot and wet, July to October very warm and dry, November and December warm and wet.
Activities: Game viewing, picnics, camping and mountain climbing.
Wildlife: Buffalo, leopard, mongoose, bushbuck, olive baboon, colobus monkey, vervet monkey, Sykes’ monkey, Kirk’s dik-dik, bush pig, common duiker, reedbuck, rock hyrax, bushbaby, tree and ground squirrel, aardvark, porcupine, python and monitor lizard. More than 45 species of birds.
Where to stay: Sabuk Guesthouse, Turacco Public Campsite.
Access: 800 km north of Nairobi. There are also two all-weather strips.
Size/Location: 1,570 sq km/Lake Turkana, Marsabit District, Eastern Province.
Climate: Hot and arid.
Activities: Game viewing, camping, archaeological safaris and bird watching.
sibiLoi nationaL parK / Cradle of mankind, Garden of EdenWildlife: Zebra, Grant’s gazelle, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, topi, greater kudu, hippo, lion, cheetah, leopard, striped hyena and silver-backed jackal. The world’s largest population of Nile crocodile breeds on Lake Turkana Central Island.
Where to stay: Oasis Lodge, Lobolo Tented Camp, self-catering accommodation, two public campsites.
tsavo east nationaL parK / Theatre of the wildAccess: 233 km south of Nairobi and 250 km north of Mombasa on the main Nairobi- Mombasa road. There are three airstrips in the park.
Size/Location: 13, 747 sq km/South East Kenya, inland from the coast.
Climate: Warm and dry. Safaricard required: Yes
Activities: Game viewing, camping, trekking and birdwatching.
Wildlife: Elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, gerenuk and hirola.
Where to stay: Voi Safari Lodge, Kingfisher Tented Camp, Ndololo Tented Camp, Satao Camp, Epiya Chapeya Tented Camp, Patterson’s Safari Camp, Aruba Ashnil and public campsite, Ndololo.
Access: By road Watamu is 120 km north of Mombasa and 28 km south of Malindi.
Size/Location: 10 sq km/ North Coast, Malindi.
Climate: Humid.
Major attractions: Green turtle, unique coral gardens, Mida Creek, the Kipepeo Butterfly Project and the Gede ruins.
wataMu Marine nationaL reserve / Haven for turtle, coral gardens and Mida CreekActivities: Windsurfing, snorkelling, water-skiing, diving and glass bottom boat.
Marine life: Fish, turtles, dugongs, crabs and over 100 species of birds.
Where to stay: There is currently no accommodation in the reserve, a wide range of options exist in nearby Malindi town.
Access: 240 km south of Nairobi/250 km north of Mombasa on the main Nairobi- Mombasa road. There also are three airstrips.
Size/Location: 9065 sq km/South Eastern Kenya, inland from Mombasa.
Climate: Warm and dry. Safaricard required: Yes
Activities: Game viewing, camping, cave
tsavo west nationaL parK / Land of lava, springs and man-eatersexploration, underwater hippo watching.
Wildlife: Elephant, rhino, hippo, lion, cheetah, leopard, buffalo, diverse plant and bird species including the threatened corncrake and Basra reed warbler.
Where to stay: Ngulia Safari Lodge, Kilaguni Safari Serena Lodge, Kitani Severin Safari Camp/ Lodge, Finch Hatton’s Tented Lodge, Voyager Safari Camp, KWS self-catering and three public campsites.
P.O. Box 40241 – 00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: + 254 (20) 399 1000/399 2000
Email: [email protected]
www.kws.go.ke Kenya_Wildlife Kenya Wildlife Service @KWSKenya KWSKenya