In this article, we look at the Tana River Primate National Reserve. Tana River Primate National Reserve is also locally known as Mchelelo. It was established in 1976 to protect some of the best remaining forests along the Tana River together with significant portions of the populations of the Tana River Red Colobus monkey and the Tana River Crested Mangabey.
The endangered primates inhabit sixteen patches of forest which extends for 60 km down the meandering lower Tana River, between Nkanjonja and Mitapani. Despite a $6.7 million World Bank Global Environment Facility project (1996 to 2001), conservation measures for the two primates have been largely ineffective.
In 2005, more than 250 families of farmers were relocated 90 km away to the coastal community of Kipini. In 2007, the High Court of Kenya ruled that the reserve had not been properly established according to Kenyan law. As a result, the reserve was degazetted and disestablished, removing all official protection of the area and its National Reserve status and funding.
The lush river forest patches are remains of western African forests. The river cuts through dry woodland and open savannah. Recorded bird species are 262, and at least 57 mammals live there. The budget-friendly Mchelelo Bandas (KWS) are the most convenient accommodation for Tana Primate National Reserve visitors.
Wildlife: Grevy´s zebra, the maasai and reticulated giraffe, oryx, buffalo and lesser kudu. The river hosts plenty of crocodiles and hippos, and the variety of water birds is not to be missed. Endemic red colobus and mangabey monkeys are found here.
Tana River Primate National Reserve Activities
1. Game Viewing
Tana River Primate Reserve is home to many wildlife species such as hartebeest on the Eastern banks, mangebay, red-tailed colobus monkeys, hippos, buffalos, Nile crocodiles, zebras, Masai giraffes, Oryx, lesser kudu, pythons, Sykes monkey and yellow baboons among the rest.
2. Bird Watching
Tana River Primate Reserve is blessed with over 200 species of birds some of the examples of the birds found here are; the African open-billed stork, bat hawk, golden pipit, pygmy falcon, African barren owlet, glossy starling, white-winged apalis, open billed stork, scaly babbler, red-tailed ant thrush, black-bellied starling and martial eagle among the rest.
3. White water rafting
Water rafting is one of the main tourist activities at Tana River, there are boats for hire to be used with life jackets within the reserve training can also be done for amateurs in rafting the duration of rafting will depend on water levels. The best time is from April to July and from November to January.
4. Ferry crossing
The ferry crossing at the last bridge of the river known as Garsen is truly an adventure crossing to the 50 kilometres of riverine belt of dramatic wildlife and birds from the western banks to the forests.
5. Visit Tana River
The 708 km Tana River flows through Garissa and Garsen before branching into a huge delta as it enters the Indian Ocean, south of Lamu. Along the last 65 km of its course, it has a broad floodplain, and the reserve extends for about 36 km of this course. Prone to flooding, the river frequently spills over for up to 10 km on either side of its banks, and such roads as exist are either awash or a sea of mud.
6. Explore Tana River Forests
Lying on both banks of the Tana River and dependent on it for their supply of groundwater, there are about 71 distinct patches of lush riverine forest in the area, 16 of which fall in the reserve. Together they form part of a mosaic of habitats that includes grassland, wooded grassland, bushland and deciduous woodland. The reserve includes 175 species of trees, some of which are endemic; and at least 61 globally or nationally rare plants.
7. Visit Pokomo People
The riverine forests are home to the Pokomo people, who farm the banks of the river using mainly the ox-bows to grow rice immediately adjacent to the water; and maize further back. Large areas of the forest have, as a result, been felled to make way for further cultivation. The Pokomo also use the forest for timber and traditional medicines.
8. Bungee jumping
This is an action-filled recreational activity that involves head-first jumping from a tall structure with an elastic cord attached to participants’ feet in the reserve.
9. Fishing
Fishing is a great tourist activity for the guests, it is done in River Tana this is where the guests participate in fishing in the river.
Where to stay
There is only one place to stay in the Reserve, which is known as the Mchelelo Research Camp and is run as a research station by the Institute of Primate Research, which is part of the National Museums of Kenya.
KWS also have their headquarters at the camp. The camp offers a basic self-catering tented camp with 6 tents (showers and WCs) and a campsite. Bookings must be made in advance: Contact: NMK Nairobi: Tel +254 (0)20 3742161-4 nmk@museums.or.ke or visit www.museums.or.ke
How to get there
From Nairobi take the A2 highway to Thika, then turn east on the A3 turning south onto the B8 to Garsen about 10 km before Garissa. 4WD required.
Tana River Primate 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 | 20 USD |
| Child/Student | 15 USD |
| International Visitors (US$) | |
| Adult | 25 USD |
| Child/Student | 15 USD |
Low Season (March–June)
| EAC Citizen/Resident (Ksh) | Charges |
| Adult | Ksh 250 |
| Child/Student | Ksh 200 |
| Rest of Africa (US$) | |
| Adult | 15 USD |
| Child/Student | 10 USD |
| International Visitors (US$) | |
| Adult | 20 USD |
| Child/Student | 15 USD |
Tana River Primate National Reserve Contacts
Phone: +254 20 2379407
