National Reserves in Kitui
South Kitui National Reserve: Underdeveloped
The 1,831 km2 South Kitui Reserve National Reserve is situated 30 km east of Mutomo on the eastern edge of Kitui County, 10 km north of Tsavo East National Park. Gazetted in 1979 and placed under trusteeship of the defunct Kitui District Council, there was little development invested hitherto, but of a more recent development it has become a focal-point for conservation and efforts to revamp it are currently on-going. It had been, for five decades, an extensively degraded, encroached and ravaged area. Like Mwingi National Reserve, neither is at all well known. Both lack accommodation and parkways through their dense and dry bushland habitations. In 2013, during the aerial census of elephants carried out in Tsavo-Mkomazi Ecosystems which include Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Chyulu and Mkomazi National Parks, South Kitui National Reserve and Taita, Kulalu and Galana Ranches, a total of 12,866 elephants were counted – 12,843 in Tsavo Ecosystem and 23 in Mkomazi National Park representing an increase of 15% over three years.
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
Kitui County is a hidden gem for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and nature. With better infrastructure and marketing, it could become a key destination in Kenya’s tourism map. Known for its arid and semi-arid landscapes, rich Kamba culture, and untapped tourism potential, it is home to many unique attractions, hillscapes, scenic rock formations and valleys ideal for hiking and photography.
You Are Here: South Kitui National Reserve
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations Near South Kitui National Reserve
A Guide to Kitui County
A Summa Digest of Kitui
About Kitui Way Back When
33 Destinations in Kitui County, arranged as one would visit these - north to south - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Revelation Recreational Park, Kanyonyoo Wildlife Conservancy, B2 Yatta Ranch, Ukasi Hill, Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve, Muvaroa Forest Reserve, Gai (Muruu) Rock, Kiambere Dam, Mwingi National Reserve, Adamson Bridge, Ngomeni Rock, Kitui War Monument, Kitui Villa, Kalundu Public Park, Kitui Hills, Nzambani Rock, Ikoo Viewpoint, Mutito Hills, Mui Basin, Nuu Hills, Mutomo Hill Sanctuary, Mutomo Reptile Park, South Kitui National Reserve, AIC Ikutha, Tsavo East National Park, Athi-Galana River, Kanderi Swamp, Yatta Plateau, Ithumba Camp, Ithumba Hill Camp, The Man-eaters Bridge, Man-eaters Camp
Know More About Kitui County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Kitui County has a low-lying topography with arid and semi-arid climates. The general landscape of Kitui is flat with a plain that gently rolls down towards the east. Look out for the hillscape – scattered isolated hill masses like Mumoni, Migwani, Kitui, Nuu, and Mui.
Climate in Kitui is generally hot and dry with little rainfall. Temperatures are high year-round, ranging between 14°C-34°C. The hotter months are September, October, January.
