Tana River National Primate Reserve
Tana River National Primate Reserve
In south-eastern Kenya, Tana River Reserve protects 170 km² of gallery forests and two endangered endemic primates.
Tana River National Primate Reserve spans 170 square kilometres in south-eastern Kenya, near Bohoni, in the country's coastal zone. On either side of the lower course of the Tana River, it protects one of East Africa's last swamp forest massifs and is home to two endangered endemic primates: the Tana mangabey and the Tana red colobus.
Why visit Tana River Reserve
This reserve holds a rare scientific and naturalist interest in Kenya. Unlike the open savannah of Masai Mara or Amboseli, here you traverse a mosaic of gallery forests, meanders and wetlands, a legacy of a river that long deposited its silt across the coastal plain. The two flagship primates, the Tana mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) and the Tana red colobus (Piliocolobus rufomitratus), live nowhere else on the planet. The site appeals equally to ornithologists, with over 200 bird species recorded, and to travellers seeking a nature experience off the beaten track.
A conservation story with obstacles
The area was designated a national reserve to protect the swamp forests of the Lower Tana and their primates. Between 1996 and 2001, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the World Bank injected 6.7 million dollars to support a conservation and community development programme. The project encountered difficulties, particularly in reconciling riverside agricultural uses with forest habitat protection.
In 2007, Kenya's High Court stripped the area of its national reserve status, ruling that its creation had not complied with legal procedures. On the administrative front, official protection was thus lifted, but the site remains a major reference point for research and specialised ecotourism, with a continuous presence of scientific teams in the field.
What to see and observe
Endemic primates
The Tana mangabey and Tana red colobus are the emblematic species. Discreet and arboreal, they live in gallery forest fragments along the river. Getting close to them requires patience and guidance from a guide or researcher familiar with habituated groups.
Other mammals
The fauna also includes:
- hippopotamuses and Nile crocodiles in the river;
- hartebeest, buffalo, zebras, oryx and small kudus in the more open areas;
- giraffes, pythons, Sykes' monkeys and yellow baboons at the forest edges.
Birdlife
With over 200 species recorded, the site is a favourite among ornithologists. Notable sightings include the African skimmer, bat hawk, golden pipit, pygmy falcon, African marsh owl, white-winged apalis and open-billed stork.
When to visit
The most favourable periods extend from April to July and November to January, when the river level is high and the gallery forest vegetation is most active. During pronounced dry seasons, some areas become less accessible and primates are more elusive.
Practical information
- Accommodation on site: options are rare and rustic. Tana Delta Camp and Mchelelo Research Camp, the latter linked to research activities, are the most cited bases.
- Vehicle: a 4x4 is essential, as tracks are often muddy or potholed.
- Guidance: given the presence of hippopotamuses, crocodiles and the difficulty in spotting primates, a local guide is highly recommended.
- Duration of visit: plan for at least two days on site to make the journey worthwhile and maximise early morning outings.
How to get there
From Nairobi, the road journey covers approximately 540 km, or nearly 7 hours 50 minutes of driving: take the A2 to Thika, then the A3 eastwards, and finally the B8 south to Garsen, the gateway town to the Tana Delta. The track then leads to the reserve.
The faster air option is to board a charter flight from Malindi or Mombasa, for about 50 minutes' flight time to airstrips near the delta.
Things to combine in the region
The reserve fits into a broader Kenya itinerary. To extend your nature immersion, you can combine your visit with other sites in the country:
- Kakamega Forest, another forest jewel harbouring unique fauna in the west of the country;
- Hell's Gate National Park, in the Rift Valley;
- Crescent Island Sanctuary on Lake Naivasha;
- Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, an easy stop at the beginning or end of your circuit.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
The Tana mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) and the Tana red colobus (Piliocolobus rufomitratus), two endemic species of the Lower Tana gallery forests, classified as endangered.
No. In 2007, Kenya's High Court removed the national reserve status, finding that the creation had not complied with the law. The area remains, however, a recognised site for research and ecotourism.
Favour April-July and November-January, when the river level is high and the forest is active.
By road, expect approximately 540 km and nearly 8 hours via the A2, A3 and then B8 to Garsen, in a 4x4. Faster, a charter flight from Malindi or Mombasa reaches the area in about fifty minutes.
Yes, it is strongly recommended. The primates are difficult to spot without knowledge of habituated groups, and the presence of hippopotamuses and crocodiles requires local guidance.
Prepare your trip
Tana River Reserve lends itself to a bespoke nature-focused stay. To incorporate this stop into a comprehensive Kenya itinerary, consult our Kenya trips and exchange ideas with our local advisers.
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