Natural Parks & Reserves in Embu
Mwea National Reserve: A Varied Haunt
Looking out south to Kamburu Dam, the 42 km2 Mwea National Reserve is a haunt of wild open grassland interspersed by scattered acacia, baobabs and few scattered hills. Kamburu Dam, flanking its east and southeast limits, harbours an interesting variety of fauna and flora notably of its crocodiles and hippos. A boat can be hired at the park gate to explore Kamburu Dam. Also found at Mwea National Reserve is the confluence of Thiba and Tana Rivers. It is best-known for its assortment of avifaunal including the rare Hinde’s babbler endemic to Kenya.
Home to more than 200 species of birds, Mwea National Reserve was created in 1979 to conserve its prolific biodiversity and ecosystems. It hosts a considerable amount of wildlife including elephants, kudus, antelopes, giraffes and Burchell’s zebra. In combination with game drives along its developed parkways, visitors to Mwea National Reserve can also enjoy birdwatching, boating, nature walks, and cultural visits to nearby communities. The wide-angle plains offers opportunities for photography and experiencing the natural beauty of the area. An electric fence has been put up in some sections mainly to keep wildlife in but also poachers out.
Mwea National reserve is easily accessible from Nairobi by road, with a journey of 3-4 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. There are no accommodation options available within the reserve, but are plenty in nearby towns, for visitors wishing to stay overnight. From Embu town, it is reached on a good tarmac road to Mavuria through Gachoka and Kiritiri for 41 km, then on a 15 km road running parallel to its northern boundary upto the park gate. There is a longer alternative route from Nairobi via Thika, Matuu, and Masinga Dam (160 km) on a good road surfaced until Masinga. The last 10 km is an all-weather road to Makima Gate.
Kenya certainly has enormous touring resources. There are no less than sixty national narks, reserves and game sanctuaries, covering approximately 11% of the land surface. Each of these diverse and stunning national parks and reserves offers unique wildlife experiences and unique, breathtaking landscapes.
Index of National Parks & Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Baringo National Reserve, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Kerio Valley National Reserve, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, Bomet County - The South Western Mau National Reserve, Busia County - Malaba Sanctuary, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Rimoi National Reserve, Embu County - Mount Kenya National Park; Irangi Forest Station, Mwea National Reserve, Garissa County - Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Arawale National Reserve, Boni National Reserve, Homa Bay County - Ruma National Park, Isiolo County - The Bisanadi National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve, Kajiado County - Amboseli National Park, Kakamega County - Kakamega National Reserve, Kilifi County - Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, Watamu Marine National Park, Malindi Marine Reserve, Kisumu County - Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Ndere Island National Park, Kitui County - Mwingi National Reserve, South Kitui National Reserve, Kwale County - Shimba Hills National Reserve, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve, Lamu County - Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine National Reserve, Machakos County - Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Makueni County - Chyulu Hills National Park, Ngai Ndethya National Reserve, Mandera County - Malka Mari National Park, Marsabit County - Losai National Reserve, South Island National Park, Marsabit National Park & Reserve, Sibiloi National Park, Meru County - Meru National Park, Mombasa County - Mombasa Marine National Reserve & Park, Nairobi County - The Nairobi National Park, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot National Park, Crescent Island Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nandi County - Bonjoge National Reserve, Narok County - Masai Mara National Reserve, Nyeri County - The Aberdare National Park, Samburu County - Samburu National Reserve, Maralal National Reserve, Siaya County - Lake Kanyaboli Reserve, Tana River County - Kora National Park, The Tana Primate National Reserve, Taita Taveta County - Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Tharaka Nithi County - Mutejwa National Reserve, Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon National Park, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Turkana County - Central Island Reserve, South Turkana Reserve, West Pokot County - Nasolot National Reserve
outlook
Situated at the base of Mount Kenya, Embu County offers a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and adventure activities, making it a rewarding destination for travelers seeking an authentic experience in the central highland of Kenya. Engage with the Aembu and Mbeere people, who inhabit the region, and learn about their traditional way of life, like farming practices, music, and dance.
You Are Here: Mwea National Reserve
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Explore Destinations Near Mwea National Reserve
A Guide to Embu County
A Summa Digest of Embu
About Embu Way Back When
32 Destinations in Embu County, arranged as one would visit these - south, west, east then south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mwea Rice Plains, Ndaraca ya Ngai, Embu Art Centre, Izaak Walton Inn, Iveche Falls, Karunina Falls, Njukiri Forest, Camp Ndunda Falls, Mount Kenya Riverside Retreat, Embu Golf Range, Murinduko Hill Forest, Karue Hill, Kirimiri Forest, Nthenge Njeru Falls, Nthungu Falls, Nthenge Njeru Hiking Trail, Irangi Forest Station, Mzima Fishing Camp, Kaagari-Gaturi Irrigation, Thuci River Lodge, Mbeere Terraces, Kiang’ombe Forest, Mumoni Hill, Kianjiru Hill, Mwea National Reserve, Kamburu Dam, Riakanau Beach, Masinga Dam, Masinga Dam Resort, Gitaru Dam, Kindaruma Dam, Kiambere Dam
Know More About Embu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with aid of strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Embu County is exemplified by its sharply defined uplands, lowland and slopes from the north, northwest towards the east and southeast, with a few isolated landmark hills such as Kiambere and Kiang’ombe.
Embu has a typical highland profile, on the windward side of Mount Kenya, with cold and wet upper zones to hot and dry lower zones in Tana River Basin. Temperatures range betwixt 20o and 30oC.
