List of Wildlife sanctuaries In Kenya
- BeyondForest
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
In this section we will look at
2.)Top Ten Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kenya
3.)List of Sactuaries In Kenya
A wildlife sanctuary is a protected area established to provide a safe and natural habitat for wild animals and birds. Unlike national parks, human activities like grazing and limited farming might be allowed under certain conditions, but hunting and poaching are strictly prohibited. The goal is to conserve biodiversity, protect endangered species, and support natural ecosystems. Wildlife sanctuaries also help: Rehabilitate injured or orphaned animals Offer educational and research opportunities Promote eco-tourism in a sustainable way
Kenya is rich in wildlife and has several sanctuaries dedicated to conservation and protection:
🔹 1. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Nairobi)
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, is one of Kenya’s most renowned wildlife conservation organizations. Located at the edge of Nairobi National Park, SWT is best known for its Orphan’s Project, which rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants, rhinos, and other wildlife affected by poaching, human-wildlife conflict, or natural disasters.
The Trust plays a crucial role in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration. Orphaned baby elephants are bottle-fed and cared for around the clock until they are ready to return to the wild, often years later. Each animal is treated as an individual, with caretakers forming deep, maternal bonds to aid emotional healing.
Beyond animal rescue, SWT operates mobile veterinary units, anti-poaching teams, and aerial surveillance to protect wildlife and habitats across Kenya. The Trust also focuses heavily on community outreach, working with local people to promote coexistence and sustainable conservation practices.
🔹 2. Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Laikipia)
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 90,000-acre private wildlife sanctuary located in Laikipia County, between the foothills of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. It is one of East Africa’s most significant conservation success stories, globally renowned for being home to the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, Najin and Fatu. These rhinos are under 24/7 armed guard and are part of a last-ditch scientific effort to save the species through advanced reproductive technologies.
Ol Pejeta is also the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, offering a safe haven for over 140 critically endangered individuals. In addition, it houses a chimpanzee sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kenya, managed in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute, rescuing chimps from abusive or illegal captivity.
The conservancy is home to the Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos—along with a wide variety of other wildlife. It’s also a pioneer in integrated land use, balancing tourism, wildlife conservation, and livestock grazing to ensure sustainability and support local communities.
🔹 3. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (Isiolo/Meru)
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, located in northern Kenya at the foot of Mount Kenya, is a world-renowned conservation success and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established in 1995 from a former cattle ranch, Lewa spans over 62,000 acres of protected land and is a model for community-based conservation. It is best known for its work in protecting endangered species, especially black rhinos, Grevy’s zebras, and giraffes.
Lewa holds over 10% of Kenya’s black rhino population and more than 20% of the global population of Grevy’s zebra, making it critical to the survival of these species. The conservancy uses cutting-edge technologies, including GPS tracking, aerial surveillance, and 24/7 ranger patrols, to ensure the safety of wildlife from poaching threats.
🔹 4. Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (Taita Taveta)
The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a privately owned conservation area located in Taita-Taveta County, southeastern Kenya. Established in 1972 by Hilton International, the sanctuary spans approximately 28,000 acres and is adjacent to Tsavo West National Park and the LUMO Community Wildlife Sanctuary. Its primary purpose is to provide a protected habitat for wildlife and promote eco-tourism in the region.
The sanctuary boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, hosting over 50 mammal species.In addition to mammals, the sanctuary is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 390 bird species recorded, including both resident and migratory species.The sanctuary is actively involved in conservation initiatives, notably a reforestation project aimed at increasing woody plant cover by at least 10% (approximately 11.3 square kilometers). The project is divided into phases, with the first phase successfully planting around 10,000 indigenous tree seedlings across 32.5 acres.
Accommodations within the sanctuary include the Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge and the Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge, both offering comfortable lodging and panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
🔹 5. Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary (Tsavo West National Park)
Image of a Poached Rhino at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary by Paul char On X
The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, established in 1986 within Tsavo West National Park, Kenya, serves as a critical refuge for the endangered black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli). Initially spanning 35 square kilometers and starting with just three rhinos, the sanctuary has expanded to cover approximately 90 square kilometers and now supports a population exceeding 120 individuals. In the 1960s, Tsavo was home to Africa's largest black rhino population, estimated between 6,000 and 9,000. However, rampant poaching during the 1970s and 1980s decimated their numbers, leaving fewer than 100 by 1981. The establishment of the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary aimed to reverse this decline by providing a secure, fenced environment where rhinos could breed and recover under stringent protection measures.
The sanctuary is enclosed by a one-meter-high electric fence and is patrolled by rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other conservation organizations to prevent poaching and ensure the safety of the rhino population. In 2008, an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) was established as an unfenced, highly protected area surrounding the sanctuary, into which 19 founder rhinos were introduced to promote free-ranging behavior.
🔹 6. Nairobi Animal Orphanage
The Nairobi Animal Orphanage, located within Nairobi National Park, is Kenya’s oldest wildlife rehabilitation center, established in 1964. Managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the facility serves as a sanctuary for wild animals that are orphaned, injured, abandoned, or rescued from illegal captivity or conflict situations. It provides medical care, food, shelter, and rehabilitation with the goal of reintroducing animals back into the wild when possible.
The orphanage is home to a variety of species, including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, serval cats, leopards, and monkeys. It also hosts numerous bird species such as crowned cranes, ostriches, and parrots. Each animal has a story—some rescued from poachers, others separated from their mothers due to human-wildlife conflict.
Beyond its conservation mission, the orphanage plays an important educational role, offering guided tours and interpretation programs. It gives local and international visitors a chance to learn about Kenyan wildlife up close, fostering awareness and appreciation for conservation.
🔹 7. Haller Park (Mombasa)
Haller Park, located in Bamburi, Mombasa, Kenya, is a renowned ecological and wildlife sanctuary that has transformed from a barren limestone quarry into a vibrant natural haven.This park, which covers approximately 200 hectares, is a testament to the power of environmental rehabilitation and serves as an iconic example of how human ingenuity can restore degraded landscapes.It was established in the 1970s by Dr. René Haller, a Swiss agronomist and ecologist, whose vision turned a desolate area into a thriving ecosystem teeming with flora and fauna.
The Giraffe Centre, located in Lang'ata, Nairobi, is a renowned conservation and education center dedicated to the preservation of the endangered Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi). Established in 1979 by Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville, the center operates under the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), a Kenyan non-profit organization. In response to the declining population of Rothschild's giraffes due to habitat loss, the Leslie-Melvilles initiated a breeding program by relocating two young giraffes to their property in Karen, Nairobi.
Image of Types Of Giraffe Found At Giraffe Centre
This endeavor aimed to bolster the giraffe population and reintroduce them into protected areas across Kenya. Visitors to the Giraffe Centre have the unique opportunity to observe, interact with, and feed the giraffes from an elevated platform. The center also features a 1.5-kilometer nature trail, offering a serene environment for bird watching and the chance to encounter other small wildlife species.
🔹 9. Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) is a leading conservation organization located on the slopes of Mount Kenya near Nanyuki. It is dedicated to the preservation of endangered species, particularly the mountain bongo—a rare forest antelope once extinct in the wild in Kenya. The conservancy runs a successful bongo breeding and rewilding program, aiming to restore viable populations to their natural forest habitats. MKWC also operates an Animal Orphanage, providing rescue and rehabilitation for injured, orphaned, and confiscated wildlife. Beyond animal care, the conservancy promotes environmental education, community engagement, and eco-tourism, playing a vital role in sustainable conservation in Kenya.
🔹 10. Kora National Reserve (acts as a sanctuary for lions)
Kora National Park, located in Tana River County, Kenya, spans approximately 1,787 square kilometers of diverse landscapes, including acacia woodlands, rocky outcrops, and sections of the Tana River. Initially designated as a nature reserve in 1973, it was elevated to national park status in 1989.
Legendary big cat conservator George Adamson at Kora National Reserve in the early 1980s by History KE on X
Gained fame from George Adamson’s lion conservation work (“Born Free” legacy).The park gained international recognition as the residence of renowned conservationist George Adamson, famously known as "Baba ya Simba" (Father of Lions).
From 1970 until his tragic death in 1989, Adamson rehabilitated and reintroduced lions and leopards into the wild from his camp, Kampi ya Simba, situated within the park.Kora's northern boundary is defined by the Tana River, featuring notable sites such as Adamson's Falls, Grand Falls, and the Kora Rapids. The park's terrain is characterized by prominent inselbergs like Mansumbi (488m), Kumbulanwa (450m), and Kora Rock (442m), rising from the surrounding plains.
List of Sactuaries In Kenya
Image of a sign post at Muhu Kangari sanctuary at Cresent Island
Muhu Kangari Sanctuary is Located in Cresent Island .Cresecent Island is an Island Located inside Lake Naivasha in Rift valley and can only be accessed by boat with no need to do reservations if visiting the sanctuary . The Sanctuary gives you a long walking experience amongst wildlife found at Muhu Kangari sanctuary such as zebras, Masai giraffes,hippos, impalas,Pelicans, wildebeests, water bucks, ostriches, and a lot of other birds .Crescent Island offers a truly remarkable experience, especially because of its less touristic nature. This unique aspect makes the adventure feel more personal and intimate a more welcome change from the usual crowded safari experiences.
To contact Crescent Island by phone call 0759636468
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