Abiri Kenya

Nature Sanctuaries in Taita Taveta

Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary: Carbon Standard

It is a perfect place for a holiday in the bush, or it can be your night’s stopover between Nairobi and the coast. In an area full of wildlife. Unique to the isolated 311 km2 Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary 129 km northwest of Mombasa past Taru near Maungu, or 70 km south of Voi, is that it was the first location in the world to be recognized as a Verified Carbon Standard area. This rarely-heard status is issued to unsullied properties that fulfill a spirited threshold of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) certified by United Nations. Rukinga was begun in 1998 as a community led goal to touch-off and bring about an alternative stream of income for the local community in place of poaching and clear cutting.

Locally hired game rangers were brought in, oriented and trained to be wilderness guardians. It was a felicitous local initiative if you consider that Rukinga lies along a migration corridor between Tsavo East and West, and the permanent population of just under 500 elephants rises to over 2,000 between October and March. 50 other species of large mammal call this place home. Thanks to the valiant vigilance in wildlife, environment and biosphere management, Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary has since spread to include eleven ranches which collectively cover almost 2,023 km2 that will offset one million tons of CO2 emissions per year for three decades.

With the dryland Acacia-Commiphora forest under their protection and its aging biodiversity restored, the Kasigau Corridor REDD project was awarded the Gold status by the Community and Biodiversity Standard for exceptional biodiversity and climate benefits. Visitors to Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary can opt to stay at the inexpensive and charming Kivuli Camp or at Kudu Camp. From both these great launches you can enjoy other highlight like the inspiring conservation encounters, take part in a community project, or game walks. The main gate into Rukinga is located near Maungu, 129 km north of Mombasa city or 70 km south of Voi town.

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Around Kenya are to be found a hatful of delightful nature parks and sanctuaries, many of these being community initiatives to protect wildlife in their natural habitats. Fairly small in comparison to the national parks and reserves, they offer a more intimate exposure to the wild, to fully appreciate the local flora and fauna.

Index of Nature Parks & Sanctuaries in Kenya



Bomet County - Kipsegon Ecosystem, Masese Nyangores Ecotourism Site, Bungoma County - Buteyo Miti Park, Garissa County - Garissa Giraffe Centre, Bour Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Homa Bay County - Ondago Swamp Nature Sanctuary, Kakamega County - Isecheno Nature Reserve, Yala Nature Sanctuary, Kericho County - Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary, Chebown Nature Sanctuary, Kilifi County - Mnarani Snake Park, Mazingira Park, A Rocha Ecolodge & Conservation Centre, Mida Creek Sanctuary, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Mida Creek Nature Camp, The Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Kisumu County - Dunga Beach Wetland Boardwalk, Kitui County - Mutomo Reptile Park, Kwale County - Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Colobus Conservation, Kaya Kinondo, Bora Bora Wildlife Park, Diani Reptile Park, Wasini Boardwalk, Gazi Boardwalk, Lamu County - Amu Ranch, Makueni County - Kivungoni Springs, Meru County - Thaaru Springs, Mombasa County - Mombasa Butterfly House, Haller Park, The Butterfly Pavillion, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Nairobi County - Nairobi Arboretum, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Safari Walk, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nyandarua County - Sharpe's Longclaw Reserve, Samburu County - Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Maralal Game Sanctuary, Taita Taveta County - Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Njoro Springs, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Tana River County - Ozi Conservation, Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Nature Conservancy, Treasure of Africa, Uasin Gishu County - River Sosiani Park, Eldoret Nature & Cultural Centre Park, Wajir County - Wajir Giraffe Sanctuary

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find new possibilities

Situated in south-western Kenya, and part of the Coast Region of Kenya, Taita-Taveta County is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The county features diverse landscapes, including the Taita Hills, which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and the vast plains of Tsavo, which are part of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks – Kenya’s largest wildlife preserve.

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Explore Destinations Nearby Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary

Guide to Taita Taveta County



A Summa Digest of Taita Taveta

About Taita Taveta Way Back When

85 Destinations in Taita Taveta County, arranged as one would visit these - north, west then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Chyulu Hills National Park, Kisula Caves, Kampi ya Kanzi Lodge, Tsavo West National Park, Kamboyo Lodge, Mzima Springs, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Ancient Roaring Rocks, Ngulia Hills, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Kitchwa Tembo Hill, Chaimu Crater, The Five Sister's Hills, Shetani Lava, Finch Hattons Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Chala, Crystal Lake Chala Caves, Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp, Sniper Tree, Gicheha Ziwani Farm, The Njoro Springs, Grogan’s Castle, Mokine Hill, Lake Jipe, Lake Jipe Eco-lodge, Salaita Hill, The Taveta Military Cemetery, Maktau Indian Cemetery, Maktau Railway Station, Taita Hills Game Lodge, Taita Hills Museum, Sarova Salt Lick Lodge, Mwashoti Hill, Maili 27 Bridge, Mwakitau Hill, Lumo Game Sanctuary, Lions Bluff Lodge, Lualenyi Camp, Ndolwa Game Sanctuary, Dembwa Falls, Bura Mission Church, Vuria Hill, Taita Hills, Wesu Rock, Taita Rocks Hotel, Malowa's Shrine, Taita Skull Caves, Taita Research Station, Kilangarenyi Falls, Ngangao Forest, Kenyatta Caves, Mount Sagalla, Rev. Wray Memorial Museum, Ngutuni Wildlife Sanctuary, Volunteer International Camp Tsavo, Mount Kasigau, Kasigau Base Camp, The Maungu Plains, Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, Wushumbu Conservancy, Teita Sisal Estate, Mbulia Conservancy, Tsavo East National Park, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Yatta Plateau, Tsavo Springs, Emusaya Wilderness Arc, Galdessa Little Camp, Lugard's Falls, Mudanda Rock, Voi War Cemetery, Lion Hill Lodge, Kanderi Swamp, Voi Wildlife Lodge, Aruba Dam, A. Aruba Lodge, Nyiri Desert

Know More About Taita Taveta County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

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