Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
“A historical landscape, featuring WWI”
Lying on the edge of Tsavo West National Park is Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, a privately owned wildlife sanctuary in Kenya. The sanctuary covers an area of 28,000 acres (110 km2), and is adjacent to Tsavo West National Park and the LUMO Community Wildlife Sanctuary.
Located in Taita-Taveta County, Taita Hills offers excellent birding and beautiful scenery. Additionally, Taita Hills Sanctuary is a fertile area of lush hills and scrub forest, almost similar to what is in Tsavo’s semi-arid landscape.
Within the towering hills of Taita, is the private wildlife sanctuary; – a dramatic landscape perfectly suited to game drives looking for lions, elephants and more across the grassy savannahs where all the plains wildlife are here in abundance. In addition to wildlife, Taita Hills has a fascinating history, having played a role in WWI, and there is a museum within the lodge that tells the story.
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Taita Hills Sanctuary Landscape & Scenery
The sanctuary’s topography is generally mountainous and offers breathtaking landscape views of the Kilimanjaro, Pare, and Uluguru mountains, whereas the vegetation formation is typically dense, featuring riverine forest, savanna wood, and grassland, and is highly dominated by Acacia/Commiphora trees and may appear to be evergreen in wet areas along the main river valley; – a seasonal river dividing the sanctuary into valleys and lowland plains.
Best Things To Do In Taita Hills Sanctuary
Discover some of the best things to do in Taita Hills Sanctuary. The setting and climate of Tsavo Park allows for quality wildlife viewing all-round the year; from birding, bush sundowners, and guided nature walks. Let’s have a look at the notable activities that Taita Hills Sanctuary offers.
1. Game Drives Safari In Taita Hills Sanctuary
Similar to Tsavo East, and Tsavo West, guided game drives are the main activity in Taita Hills Sanctuary. Drives, which will take you around the park in search of wildlife and bird species. Therefore, the early morning and late afternoon game drive provides an ideal opportunity to view and photograph the diverse array of wildlife within the Sanctuary. Also, the game viewing drives normally start as early as 6:00am. and involve the use of a 4X4 Land Cruiser Jeep with an open roof-top.
The Land Cruiser safari vehicles accommodate 6 seat passengers (everyone with their own spacious window seat) but can additionally seat up to 8 adults with an extra seat included and with one person sitting beside the Driver. The vehicle has a spacious game viewing roof, is more reliable, strong and spacious enough while also being marginally more comfortable than the only other option.
2. Underground Viewing Waterhole In Taita Hills Sanctuary
One of the most unique aspects of Taita Hills Sanctuary is the underwater viewing chamber, where visitors can go downhill to observe wildlife herbivores looking to quench their thirst. The experience is more rewarding during dry spells/season as large groups of elephants, buffaloes, zebras and various antelopes (sometime trailed by big cats) come for scarce water which is provided for by a well-positioned water hole supplied by a borehole dedicated for wildlife.
3. Birdwatching In Taita Hills Sanctuary
Taita Hills Sanctuary has an astounding number of bird species. With over 350 bird species recorded in the sanctuary, including resident and migrant bird species, Taita Apalis and Taita white eye; just to mention a few. The birdwatching in Taita Hills is done together with wildlife viewing, both of which you’ll most likely enjoy on a guided game drive.
4. Taita Hills WWI Museum
Discover the lobby in the Taita Hills Game Lodge, this engaging little open-sided museum tells the story of WWI as it played out in East Africa. Explore artefacts found on the nearby former battlefields (from bullets made in 1912 to glass shards from bottles of Indian hair oil), archival photos, informative and detailed panels on the course of the war and major personalities. An exciting historical journey told in pictures and an artefacts.
Learn more about the second largest protected area in Kenya and stories about man eater lions who to date carry a strange history long after they terrorized, injured and killed construction workers of the Kenya-Uganda Railway in 1898. The railway construction was abruptly stopped by the most hungry and voracious man-eating lions.
5. Walking Safari In Taita Hills Sanctuary
Taita Hills Sanctuary offers many varied opportunities for you to experience the unique flora, fauna and culture of this fascinating sanctuary, immersing you in complete solace and tranquility of the wilderness within. Discover Taita Hills on nature walks with an expert ranger guide, as you stroll through the bush. Marvel at the smaller wildlife normally unnoticed during a game drive yet still important for their impact on the ecology of this diverse ecosystem.
6. Night Game Drives In Taita Hills Sanctuary
As for Night Game drives, a curiosity for many visitors while on an African trip.
Taita Hills Sanctuary night game drives provide guests with the opportunity to see animals not usually encountered on a daytime game drive such as spotted and striped hyena, mongoose, jackal, civet, genet, porcupine and bush baby etc. With the guide of highly trained rangers, well equipped with powerful spotlights to take guests on this experience of a totally different world after dark, when you may have the thrilling opportunity to see a predator actively hunting.
7. Bush Meals, Dinners & Sundowners In Taita Hills
Delight in the wide-open sky and space of Taita Hills plains on an unforgettable bush sundowner at Taita Hills Sanctuary, where you will be served drinks and cocktails while watching the sight of the African sunset. There are four bush activity venues within the sanctuary and all have basic toilet amenities and have magnificent views of the Taita hills, sanctuary, adjacent Tsavo plains and of course Mt. Kilimanjaro (weather permitting). As part of the Taita Hills Sanctuary experiences, these sites can be used for either bush breakfast, sundowner or bush dinner depending on the taste and size of the group involved.
This usually happens as the sun begins its descent, the sundowner begins with a gentle evening game drive, arriving at the sundowner site just as the evening sky turns gold-pink, surrounded by nothing but scenic views framed by stunning landscapes and magnificent wildlife. (Can at times take place within the lodge premises).
Traditional Music & Dance; the musical entertainment can also be provided at request; – a local trio of musicians plays traditional music during dinner. This is followed by authentic Taita dancers performing in the Lobby, with additional musicians and where your active participation is genuinely encouraged.
Picnic Lunch: usually arranged during a full day game outing in the reserve so that one does not have to go back to the lodge or camp for lunch, the meal itself is in the form of packed lunch boxes which are provided by your camp or lodge by prior arrangement the night before to allow them adequate time to prepare the meal boxes. The meal will be enjoyed under a tree, on a scenic setting out in the wild.
Bush Breakfast & Dinners: in the case of a Bush dinner, this could also be an event in itself around a bonfire with entertainment such as light music or tribal dance performances. Bush meals are typically arranged at special chosen sites within Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary – generally located outside of but very near the respective Lodges or Camps. Expect the menus to range from multi-course fine cuisine to more casual bush barbeque meals, prices for these special meals vary widely starting from USD 70 per person all the way to USD 150 per person for a more luxurious bush meal.
Special Requests: the meals can also be arranged to cater for certain special dietary requirements such as gluten free, vegan, vegetarian and even restricted vegetarian such as for Indian Jain diets which exclude use of Onions or Garlic as ingredients. Though choices are limited for bush meals, in-house dining at the lodges or camps promises more dietary options. Make sure you make an early request for easy planning.
Animals & Wildlife In Taita Hills Sanctuary
A small sanctuary, yet Taita Hills surprisingly has diverse wildlife populations. Of the predators, lion is sometimes seen and, if you’re lucky, you might even spot cheetah. The African elephant is also possible. Commonly seen species include the cape buffalos, waterbuck, Grant’s gazelle, impala, zebra, lesser kudu, Masai giraffe and Coke’s hartebeest. Watch also for klipspringer around Lion Rock in the south of the sanctuary.
With Taita sanctuary acting as a migrating corridor for wildlife between Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park, sightings of big cats; lions, leopards, cheetahs, are possible at times, with most of game drives taking place in Tsavo West and Tsavo East.
Best Time For Wildlife Viewing In Taita Hills Sanctuary
While Taita Hills Sanctuary is beautiful all year round, the best time to visit Taita Hills for wildlife watching is in the dry months of (June to October) when the vegetation thins out and animals gather around remaining water sources. Still – the dry months from January to February also makes up a great time for wildlife viewing. The wettest months are April and November.
Birdlife & Birds In Taita Hills Sanctuary
Boasting an array of over 390 bird species that include resident, intra-African, and palaetric migrants; together with Tsavo Park’s which has over 600 species recorded, this southern part of Kenya safari circuit serves as one of the prime birding destinations for bird watching tours.
Best Time For Bird Watching In Taita Hills Sanctuary
The wilderness of Taita Hills offers very rewarding birding opportunities all year. Migratory birds arrive in the reserve around November and stay until April. However, be prepared with the weather changes, as short showers can start at any moment. That said, December to February or March are generally best for bird watching.
Best Time To Visit Taita Hills Sanctuary
Similar to Tsavo West & Tsavo East safari parks, though Taita Sanctuary can be visited year-round, wildlife watching is best viewed in the dry months from June to October and again from January to March; during this time there is little to no rainfall, and climate conditions in the park are favorable for wildlife watching. The animals can be spotted around the nearby water holes as they quench their thirst. Now this is a good time to plan a trip to Tsavo.
Taita Hill’s safari seasons comprise November and April. During these months, wildlife (with water and food more widely available they will spread out) and is more challenging to spot in the long grass. However, if you are a bird lover, and would love to experience the lush green vegetation, then a visit during the wet season is perfect to enjoy a birdwatching safari as many migratory birds come here during this season; – getting wet is not an issue because it doesn’t rain daily.
The Weather & Climate At Taita Hills Sanctuary
Together with Tsavo East, and Tsavo West, while planning safaris to Taita Hills Sanctuary and the whole of Tsavo Ecosystem be ready to for a hot, dry climate with average temperatures varying in between 31°C/88°F during daytime and 20°C/68°F at night. For the morning game drives, we recommend you bring with you warm clothing. Given Kenya’s climate pattern, rainfall will be experienced in late April and November, bringing both the long and short rains, respectively. Though the rain tends to fall as short, heavy showers.
Generally, the conditions tend to stay hot and dry throughout the year at Taita Hills Sanctuary. The wet seasons in Taita Hills Sanctuary (November to May) can get particularly hot, especially during the break.
Dry Season In Taita Hills Sanctuary – June to October
These are the dry seasons characterized by sunny days – there is no rainfall.
June & July – Days are typically hot and sunny with pleasant temperatures of around 29°C/84°F.
August & September – Both months of August & September are characterized by a rise in daytime temperatures on an average of 29°C/84°F.
October – come October, expect a hot and humid climate, with temperatures increasing prior to the arrival of short November rains.
Wet Season In Taita Hills Sanctuary – November to May
Tsavo East’s wetter season is marked by short rains followed by the long rains. Remember, January and February are part of the dry months in between.
November & December – these months signals the start of the short rains in Tsavo East National Park. During this period, expect short afternoon storms with daytime temperatures at an average of 33°C/84°F, which can rise. In addition, the skies tend to be clearer & sunny days possible.
January & February – with the exact timing a little challenging to predict. These months break the rains and welcomes a dry season; – making it good for game viewing, with February labelled as the hottest month, temperatures peaking to an average of 30°C/86°F or even higher.
March, April & May – call it the long rainy season, usually kicks off late in March. Remember, it hardly ever rains all day, just surprising afternoon showers; – still pleasant temperatures characterized by sunshine & clear skies is experienced. Late April can receive the most of rainfall, with an estimated temperatures of around 30°C/86°F.
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Safari Tours To Taita Hills Sanctuary
Want to visit Taita Hills Sanctuary? This is one of the most rewarding safari destinations in southern Kenya that you can easily add on a safari package to Masai Mara. Being close to Nairobi, you can easily start off with short Nairobi daytrip tours then proceed to Tsavo making it easy to visit in a short time frame, and combine it with other parks as well.
You have plenty of choices to pick from, Tsavo midrange safaris to Tsavo luxury safaris depending on your travel style.
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Browse our selection of private Tsavo tour packages in Kenya above, or get in touch with one of our African safari experts to help tailor-make the best itinerary for you.