National Parks & Reserves in Tana River
Tana Primate National Reserve: Mangabey Haven
177 km north of Malindi Town via B8 Road, or 202 km from Garissa if approaching from the opposite direction, lies the 170 km2 Tana Primate National Reserve. It is typified by semi-arid savanna with a 13 km2 sliver of riverine and forest fragment, harbouring a good mix of intriguing wildlife. Most notably among these is Tana mangabey after which the reserve is named. The Tana mangabeys are one of the world’s most endangered primates and are almost endemic to this forest section.
Mangabeys, any of ten species, are fairly large monkeys. They have odd cheek pouches with deep depressions under the cheekbones. They are highly social, vocal, and nimble. In addition to the Tana River mangabey, sometimes known as the red colobus, Tana Primate National Reserve is also home to other primate species, including the crested mangabey, vervet monkey, and Sykes’ monkey. And that’s not all. The forest patch is thought to support more than 57 mammals, 261 avifauna species and 175 classes of flora. The riverine is also a fetching focal point.
The highlight at the Tana Primate National Reserve is, of course, spotting the Tana magabeys, endemic to the forest fragment along the 61 km stretch of the lower River Tana. The budget-friendly Mchelelo Bandas (KWS) are the most convenient accommodation for visitors to Tana Primate National Reserve. In the east it abuts with the 72km2 Ishaqbini-Hirola Community Conservancy situated within Garissa.
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
Tana River County is a rewarding destination for travelers interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path locations in Kenya. River Tana is the longest river in Kenya, flowing through the county and offering opportunities for riverine activities such as boat cruises, fishing, and birdwatching. Tana River County is home to the Orma and Pokomo ethnic groups, each with rich cultural traditions, music, and dances.
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Explore Destinations Near Tana Primate National Reserve
A Guide to Tana River County
A Summa Digest of Tana River
About Tana River Way Back When
28 Destinations in Tana River County, arranged as one would visit these - north to south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Ngao Neukirchen Church, Lake Shakababo, Delta Dunes Lodge, Ozi Conservation Area, Tana River Lodge, Old Town Kipini, Ungwana Bay Ruins, Shaka Ruins, Mwana Ruins, Fumo Liyongo Shrine, Kipini Conservancy, Red Cliff Camp, River Tana Delta, Tana Delta Colonial Forts, Tana Delta Cultural Centre, Tana Primate National Reserve, Mchelelo Bandas, Ndera Conservancy, Mau Mau Hola Monument, Hola Methodist Church, Bura St. Jude, Bura Irrigation Scheme, Bura East Conservancy, Arawale National Reserve, George Adamson's Grave, Kora National Park, Adamson's Fall, Tana River Bridge
Know More About Tana River County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Tana River County has a hot and dry climate with average annual temperatures of 30oC; the highest,41oC, is in January-March and the lowest being 20o C in June-July. Rainfall is low, bi-modal, and erratic.
The land generally sloping eastward, Tana River is all undulating plain that is only interrupted in a few places by low hills – at Bilibil and Bura.