Hotels in Tana River County
Tana River Lodge: A Fading Gem
High above the sand embankment nearby Kipini, not far from where the River Tana meets the ocean, is the disquieting mystery of a ruin, observably modern, with its devastated parts beset on the beach, which clearly, even for the first timer, suggest that an unprecedented event took place here, and its devastating extent, tearing parts of the property apart, a harbinger approaching dire ends.
Whenever an unexpected environmental catastrophe happens, as it obviously did here, some skeptics and pundits blame act of god, force majeure or even freak accident for creating extreme events. These claims are never really that satisfying, though, and often end up sounding like a faux cultured way of saying, “I am not in a good position to present the best arguments against the global warming crisis”.
It’s hard to believe that just a decade ago these ruins hosted one of best hotels in Kipini, Tana River Lodge. Situated in an area with an eccentric history, surrounded by historic buildings, next to the beach, where River Tana momentously meets the ocean, it was an idyllic place, Uniquely built atop a sand dunes, where one could sit on the storeys and watch fishermen race to the shores with their catch, tourists surfing and dolphins entertaining revellers towards sunset, Tana River Lodge was a fine find. It had beautiful views of the forest, the river, the ocean and the beach.
By 2013 the restaurant had been partly washed away but visitors were able to eat on the terraces of their sea-facing rooms. By 2015, Tana River Lodge had been pulled down into the ocean alongside every desirable structure that ever was. Out of nine cottages that stood in the quarter-acre piece of land that the lodge owned, only half of the structures were spared. It is not certain for now if it is operational.
“This [Tana River Lodge] was one of the most beautiful tourist lodges in the region. Look at it now, the remains of eight lodges form part of the seashore’s stepping stones. Only one structure remained standing, but not for long,” Clearly, the ruins of Tana River Lodge are a grim, modern example of the global climate crises – otherwise known as ‘climate change’ – and a crux that hangs in the balance.
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 Nearby Tana River Lodge
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.