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Location
The Taita Hills Wildlife Conservancy is located in Kenya’s Taveta County, creating a very important corridor between southern Tsavo West National Park and Tsavo East. The vistas are incredible and include views over the Uluguru Mountains and the famous Mount Kilimanjaro.
Size
Taita Hills Wildlife Conservancy is 43.68 square miles
History
Noted as one of the oldest wildlife conservancies in Kenya, the Taita Hills Wildlife Conservancy is formed around and named after the incredible surrounding Taita Hills. The conservancy was electrified in the early 2000s due to an incredible number of elephants who had until then wreaked havoc on the woodland areas. Situated within the Tsavo National Park, visitors have the opportunity to join in the Tsavo Run where they will get to compete against and run with locals.
Entrance Fees & Permits
Entrance into Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is USD 30 per adult and USD 20 per child
Hours of Operation
6am – 6pm
By Road
The closest gateway to Taita Hills Wildlife Conservancy is the city of Mombasa, a journey of 125 miles or three hours and forty minutes. Driving from Nairobi will take approximately six hours.
By Air
The nearest airport to Taita Hills Conservancy is in Mombasa. Visitors will most likely fly into Mombasa, a journey of just over one hour. Transfer from Nairobi airport to Mombasa usually takes just over an hour, then additional travel by road of 125 miles to get to the conservancy. This trip will take around three hours and forty-five minutes.
Weather & Climate
The cooler months of June through to early October will offer pleasant days and dry conditions that are perfect for a safari with clear skies at night. Temperatures are around 68 degrees F at night with days not normally reaching more than 85 degrees F. The long rains fall during the months of April and May.
Avoiding Crowds
Guests should consider traveling to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in the off-peak and high seasons of winter or June to September, and plan their stay during the months of November through to February or March. The Sanctuary’s plains are full of safari vehicles during the busy, dry season months
Value for Money
With only a few properties in the area, the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary offers a quieter and more secluded safari experience with a handful of accommodations. Accommodations are offering a modest safari stay which is well-priced. Value also comes in the less-populated park versus the more popular Tsavo East and West National Parks nearby.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
Sightings of popular animals such as elephants, lions, cheetahs and leopards can be spotted in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as a myriad of fantastic plains game like gazelle, zebra and the majestic giraffe. Birding is excellent in this area, with the Taita Hills forming a green belt of sorts amid the arid safari plains.
The Terrain
The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary comprises a blend of dense, evergreen areas and open savannahs scattered with Acacia trees. A mountainous topography offers breathtaking views of the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro.
Game Drives
Game drives will take place in the early morning and late afternoon, time spent out in the wilderness usually around three hours per drive. These drives will most take place in an enclosed 4×4 safari vehicle.
Guided Walking Safaris
Guests staying in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary will have the opportunity to enjoy safari walks with a qualified guide who will divulge the secrets and history of this incredible sanctuary, sharing flora and fauna wonders while keeping an eye out for passing wildlife.
TAITA HILLS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Lodging – Distance from park entrance
Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
Salt Lick Game Lodge | 7.8 miles to the Salt Lick Game Lodge Entrance (Taita Mwatate Road) |
Lion Rock | 3.8 miles to the Salt Lick Game Lodge Entrance (Taita Mwatate Road) |
Less than 1mile from the Taita Hills Entrance Gate |
Taita Hills WWII Museum
Visitors can choose to take some time out and visit the Taita Hills WWII Museum and learn about Kenya’s part in this historic event.
Mzima Springs
Located around 40 miles from the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mzima Springs are an absolute delight to visit. A picnic basket in hand and tranquil waters present an opportunity for visitors to relax.
Visiting the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is best between the months of June and early September. This takes advantage of the dry conditions and low grass for an optimal game-viewing experience.
Accommodation per night in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary ranges from USD 250 to USD 400 (approximately) per person sharing per night.
Driving from Mombasa is the best option with a driving time of around three hours and forty-five minutes. Guests can fly from Nairobi to Mombasa on a flight that will take just over one hour.
The scenery is spectacular! Views of surrounding hills are magnificent with a highlight being the view of Mount Kilimanjaro which is located in nearby Tanzania.
Wonderful sightings of lion, elephant, cheetah and plains game such as zebra and giraffe.
The gates are open between 6am and 6pm
It is advisable to pre-book your safari stay at Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. There is no option for day visits and with limited accommodation options, spots could fill up quickly.
Enjoy the wonders of wilderness and wildlife at Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary on a scheduled game drive or wildlife walk.
Salt Lick Safari Lodge, Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa, Lion Rock are all wonderful examples of the charming safari accommodation to be found at the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
There are no stand-alone restaurants for guests to dine at at the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Guests will enjoy their meals at their respective lodges/camps.
The Mzima Springs are located around 40 minutes away from Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and offer a pleasant day out. For those interested in history, a visit to the Taita Hills WWII Memorial is a fascinating experience.
This dawn to dusk tour will give you a full day of game viewing.
In Kenya’s largest national park, you’ll be on the lookout for elephants, lions, leopards and other wildlife including many bird species.
Tsavo East is a beautiful park and you’ll have time to appreciate its stunning panoramas.
DAY TRIP, FROM BEACH TO BEACH
You spent yesterday at the beach. You’ll spend tomorrow at the beach. Why not take a break today and see Africa in all its wondrous glory? Tsavo East National Park is filled with big game – elephant, cheetah, buffalo, and leopard. In just a little over two hours from the coast, you could be in lion country, journeying overland in a 4 x 4 Jeep, scouting for wildlife and picking up safari stories.Tsavo is legendary for its fierce lions and great herds of elephants. We’ll visit the watering holes of Aruba Dam and Mudanda Rock, a natural draw for the wildlife in this thirsty park. And the park might also surprise you with its population of hippo, crocodile, and waterbuck.Safari tour visits combined Tsavo East and Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
The 2 day tour, provide opportunities to explore the sprawling red soil plains of the Tsavo East and the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
1 NATIONAL PARK & 1 SANCTUARY, BEACH TO BEACH
Think about it – just a few hours from the beach, real-life safari adventures are waiting for you! Just hop into one of our new 4 x 4 Jeeps and we’ll take off for the wildlife at Tsavo East National Park. Then, we’ll add to the fun with a quick hop over to nearby Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary for a different safari experience in this smaller but densely populated park. This short 2-day safari is perfect for a quick, last-minute getaway.Tsavo East is big – Kenya’s largest park and home to lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and dozens of other animals. Interested in colorful birds? The park offers over 500 species like the lovebird and sacred ibis. We’ll visit several watering holes known for their abundance of wildlife and watch as the animals gather to quench their thirst.Tsavo East overnight tour exploring the largest and one of the finest wildlife park in Kenya.
Unlimited game viewing drives in search of Elephants, Lion, Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra, Cheetah, Warthog and more animal species.
FROM BEACH TO BEACH
There’s nothing like surf ’n safari and this short tour from the beach hits all the high points of Kenya’s largest game park. Just a few hours from the coast you could be rumbling over the savannah in your Jeep, tracking for lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the wonderland of wildlife in this special park.Safari tour visits combined Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks on a 2 day tour.
More Opportunities to explore the sprawling red soil plains of the Tsavo East and the scenic landscape terrain of the Tsavo West National parks.
2 NATIONAL PARKS, FROM BEACH TO BEACH
If you’re thinking about a quick getaway to see Kenya’s big game, this is the perfect tour. Just a few hours from the beach and you’ll be crossing over the savannah, tracking lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo. No advance planning needed – we can have you booked on safari in the time it takes to make a phone call.3 days Tsavo safari tour originating from the Kenya beach and exploring the red soil plains of the Tsavo East and scenic hilly landscape of the Tsavo West National Parks.
2 NATIONAL PARKS, FROM BEACH TO BEACH
You’ve been enjoying the best of the Kenya coast, now experience the best of Kenya’s wild parks! Hop into our 4 x 4 safari Jeeps for a fun drive to the great plains of Tsavo East National Park where you’ll find Africa’s largest game. Then we’ll journey to sister park, Tsavo West National Park with its rolling hills, green springs and famous lions.This is a 4 day wildlife tour exploring the Tsavo West national park, Amboseli national park & Tsavo East national park while providing insights into amazing wildlife, scenery and local cultures.
3 NATIONAL PARKS, FROM BEACH TO BEACH
You’ll have plenty of time to explore these three famous parks on this Natural World Kenya Safaris 4-day tour. Elephants galore! plus all the big game you’ve seen in photos and on TV. So, take a break from the beach and see the other Kenya on this relaxed safari… and make your own photos and memories.This is a 5 day wildlife tour exploring the Tsavo West National park, Amboseli National Park & Tsavo East National Park while providing insights into amazing wildlife, scenery and local cultures.
The 6 days safari explores the plains of the Tsavo East & tours Amboseli national park with views of the Mount Kilimanjaro.
Malindi/Watamu - Tsavo East - Amboseli - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara - Malindi/Watamu
Tour includes:7 Days Kenya holiday safari visiting class “A” national parks and game reserves of the Tsavo East, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara.
Malindi/Watamu - Tsavo East - Amboseli - Lake Naivasha - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara - Malindi/Watamu
Tour includes:From the Kenya coast you’ll travel by air to the Masai Mara on this 2-day, 1-night fly-in safari. Stay at a camp or lodge of your choice.
Your lodge host will lead game drives through the Masai Mara in 4-wheel Land Cruisers.
From Beach to Beach
From the Kenya coast you’ll travel by air to the Masai Mara on this 3-day, 2-night fly-in safari. Stay at a camp or lodge of your choice.
Your lodge host will lead game drives through the Masai Mara in 4-wheel Land Cruisers.
Everything about Malindi/Watamu Beach is long, low and laid back. This pristine flawless, long stretch beach is lined with a lush facade of forest which nestles most of the hotels and resorts. Voted three times Africa’s leading beach destination, the beach-line here is easy-going with a colourful mix of families, backpackers, water-sports enthusiasts, nomads and honeymooners. You can snorkel the sparkling waters, laze on a hammock and when you get restless… safari!
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season (December– February and June - August) when conditions are especially good for trekking to view mountain gorillas. Game drives in the national parks are also fruitful during this time.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Uganda safari. Dress in layers and bring a warm sweater for morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sunhat and gardening gloves are also a good idea; the jungle is dense and thick.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda with basic accommodations starting at $96 per person, per day, plus the Uganda gorilla trekking permit which costs $700 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips range from $10 to $20 per person per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
If you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek in Uganda, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas or in regions close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Uganda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Uganda live at between 4,900 to 7,500 feet. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the country’s mountain gorillas, has a high point of 8,550ft.
The best time to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season (June - September) when conditions are best for trekking to view the country’s highlight: the fascinating mountain gorillas.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Rwanda gorilla trek. Dress in layers and don’t forget a sweater for chilly morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, broken-in hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sun visor and protective gloves – such as gardening gloves - are also useful.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda with basic accommodations starting at $720 per person, per day, plus the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit which costs $1,500 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips for your guide are $25 per person, per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa, particularly if you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek. Your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas. Cross-border travel into the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burundi is not safe, however, so steer clear of this.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Rwanda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Rwanda live at between 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Volcanoes National Park has a high point of 15,000ft.
Contact us for more information
For more information about our safari excursions, or to book your dream safari trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris, simply get in touch with our friendly travel advisors. Give us a call on +254 704 001 122 or leave your details on our contact us page, and we'll reply as quickly as possible.
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