Mwea National Reserve Entrance Fees 2024

In this article, we will look at Mwea National Reserve Entrance Fees. Mwea National Reserve is located in Mbeere, Embu County, at a distance of about 200 km from Nairobi. The Savannah ecosystem comprises small hills with bushy vegetation and scattered large trees. Other areas are open grasslands, while among the main rivers, large trees with thick undergrowth are found. Trees mainly found within the ecosystem are the different Acacia species and baobab trees.

The reserve was gazetted in 1976, covering an area northwest of Kamburu Dam at the confluence of the Tana and Thiba rivers. Two islands within the Kamburu dam (constructed in 1976) are in the protected area. On the southern boundary is the Tana River, the eastern boundary is the Thiba River; and the northern boundary is an electric fence that stops animals from invading Makima settlements. The earliest human settlement in Makima dates from 1914, though wildlife conservation intervention was not until 1972.

Mwea National Park is today co-managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service and Mbeere County Council. Mwea National Reserve Trust was founded in 1991 to solicit funds to develop the reserve. 

Wildlife at Mwea National Reserve

There are several wildlife species to spot on your visit to Mwea National Reserve. Elephant, lesser kudu, Nile crocodile, hippo, giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, buffalo, leopard, grey duiker, black-backed jackal, bushbuck, waterbuck, olive baboon, Sykes’ monkey, serval cat, spotted hyena, warthog, rock hyrax, bush pig, impala, and hartebeest. Rare animals like; stripped ground squirrels, genet cats, and black-backed jackal yellow baboons, are also found in Mwea.

Mwea National Reserve Activities

1. Camping

The reserve has seven campsites, and they are not crowded as they receive few visitors to the park. The majority of the tourists prefer a bigger safari game park for greater wild adventure and spotting. The Seven camps include Mbogo, Silvester, Mavuria, Kyangosi, Hippo-Point, Kanyonga, and Githechu.

2. Bird-watching

Bird watching can be done through a game drive or boat trip to the islands to spot some water birds. Over 200 bird species can be encountered on your visit. Renowned for its water birds and waders, over 200 species of birds have been recorded inside the reserve. This warranted it being an Important Bird Area IBA. The reserve is the simplest covered location wherein the globally threatened and Kenya-endemic Hinde’s babbler is understood to arise.

3. Boat Riding

Tourists at Mwea National Reserve can have a thrilling experience at Kamburu Dam and the visitors can also be able to see many water birds, and beautiful sceneries and see lots of hippos coming close to their boat.

4. Game Viewing

A guided game drive will reward you with a great experience upon your visit, as there is a lot of wildlife to spot here, including a number of the big 5 that are often seen on several occasions. Several well-maintained safari trucks may favour a 4×4-wheel drive to ensure a smooth drive. The park is small enough to visit within 2 days. Major wildlife attractions include the elephants, Rothschild giraffes, Common zebras, Lesser kudu, Buffalo, waterbuck, Bushbuck, Impala, Vervet Monkeys, ardvark, Yellow baboons, Grant’s gazelle, Dik-dik, Cape hare, Warthog, Black-backed jackal, Duiker, Sykes monkeys, Genet cat, Slender mongoose, Stripped ground squirrel, Dwarf mongoose, Crested porcupine, Rock Hyrax, Tree Hyrax, and tortoise.

5. Hippo sighting at Hippo Point.

Hippos and crocodiles are found in the dams and rivers in the reserve, this also brings tourists to the reserve who are interested in sighting and learning more about the hippos in the reserve.

Mwea National Reserve Entry Fees

High Season (July–February)

EAC Citizen/Resident (Ksh) Charges
Adult Ksh 300
Child/Student Ksh  250
Rest of Africa (US$)
Adult  USD 20
Child/Student  USD 15
International Visitors (US$)
Adult  USD 25
Child/Student  USD 15

Low Season (March–June)

EAC Citizen/Resident (Ksh) Charges
Adult Ksh 250
Child/Student Ksh 200
Rest of Africa (US$)
Adult  USD 15
Child/Student  USD 10
International Visitors (US$)
Adult  USD 20
Child/Student  USD 15

Mwea National Reserve Contacts

Phone: 020 2052727

Email: mwea@kws.go.ke

Davies Kinanga

Hi! I’m Davies Kinanga, author of Kenya’s top travel blog, Twende Sasa. My goal is to make #TembeaKenya simple, affordable, and exciting! Here, you'll find travel tips, genuine reviews, and top places to visit in all 47 counties. I hope you enjoy reading the articles here as much as I do writing them! Please feel free to drop a comment, or reach out via the Contact Form.

1 thought on “Mwea National Reserve Entrance Fees 2024”

  1. Hello there! This article couldn’t be written much better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I most certainly will send this article to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a great read. I appreciate you for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Comment