Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is a conservation area for elephants. It was introduced to create a wildlife corridor for the movement of elephants between Mwaluganje Forest Reserve to the north and Shimba Hills National Reserve to the south. Measuring 60,000 acres, elephants use this migratory passageway to access important foliage areas within their natural domain at different times of the year.
The area is important at an international, national, and local level. It supports threatened lowland coastal forests with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including several rare and endemic species. It serves as one of only 3 coastal refuges for elephants in Kenya and is an important water catchment area for wildlife and the local communities.
The Sanctuary was created to reduce human-elephant conflict arising from the large population of humans and elephants in the area and to generate benefits for community members through wildlife and habitat conservation. Magnificent bull herds can be seen roaming their territory and tousling each other with tusks and trunks. Extended herd family reunions occur each year heralded by loud trumpeting and calves playing.
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is an ecotourism conservancy owned by the Mwaluganje community. Visitors to the sanctuary behold a magnificent landscape dotted with jumbos of various ages and sizes. You will witness courtship, play, and combat with each other as they live out their days happily and safely in the wild.
Mwaluganje Sanctuary is not just about elephants; it is an enthralling haven for birds and birdwatchers to catch glimpses of the astounding crowned eagle, a famous monkey eater. It is the only other place in Kenya that is a habitat for the rare Sokoke Scops owl. There is a rich biodiversity in the diverse plant life characterised by gigantic baobab trees and splendid century-old cycads just as graceful as pristine palms, all on the spellbinding plateau stretching as far as the eye can behold.
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary Activities
1. Nature walks and hikes
Visitors take guided walking safaris into Golini Cliffs, the meandering Manolo River with profoundly unique riverine vegetation and the Kitanze Falls
2. Cultural tours
Tourists visit the Digo and Duruma communities around the sanctuary and learn about their cultures. In addition, visit the Kaya Mtae, a sacred worship site still used by Mijikenda religious leaders and elders for meetings and worship.
3. Animal viewing
Besides the over 150 elephants at the sanctuary, visitors can view bush babies, insects, mongooses, birds, waterbucks, and reptiles in their natural habitats at the sanctuary.
4. Luxurious bush dining
The mobile bush dinners and breakfasts set up during the Mwaluganje game drive are exciting vacation pastimes. Visitors sample sumptuous meals and delicious cocktails from local and international menus. Professional chefs make this possible for the African Safari enthusiasts who savour the delicacies as they observe animals and catch the breathtaking sundowns and sunrises over the picturesque Shimba Hills.
5. Van Camping
Visitors wishing to get more out of the Mwaluganje elephant sanctuary entrance fee and experience should hire a campervan for camping in the bush.
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary Entry Fees
Park Entry Fees
- It costs USD 14 per adult for access for 24 hours
Other Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary Charges
Filming Costs For A Photography Safari
Adverts, dramas, documentaries, and still photography
- Kshs 5,000
Daily Filming
- Kshs 1,000
TV Series And Full-Length Films
- Kshs 15,000
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary Contact
Phone: +254 206000800