Trip Summary:
Mwaluganje is a community
run ecotourism initiative that was set up in 1994 and was the first
dedicated elephant sanctuary in Africa. We have been working here since
2005 promoting responsible ecotourism and elephant conservation by
raising the profile of the sanctuary, monitoring the wildlife and
developing alternative sources of income for communities so that they
view the sanctuary as beneficial to their livelihoods.
To date, our volunteers have helped to build an Elephant Dung Paper
factory, planted several thousand trees and continue to maintain roads
and fences within the sanctuary. Other activities include working in the
local school to improve facilities, maintain the tree nursery and run
environmental education activities with the local school children, all
with the ultimate aim of enabling wildlife and people to coexist
peacefully.
You will enjoy and experience nature, wildlife, habit and habitat of the fauna and flora in the natural areas, also peoples and culture. Availability 90%
Minimum Rate Per Adult: US$
Departing From: Mombasa
Duration: A day Tour
Departure Time: 0800 Hrs (possible to leave earlier than)
Departures: Daily
Minimum Persons Required: 2
Best Time: All round the year
Mwaluganje Elephant
Sanctuary - Kenya Safari
Introducing Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is located in East Africa, in the Kwale
District of Kenya's Coastal Province, and is a mere 45 kilometers
southwest of Mombasa. The sanctuary has an area of 36 km², and it, along
with the adjacent Shimba Hills National Reserve combine to form the
Shimba Hills
Ecosystem.
Mwaluganje is located in an ecosystem characterized by rolling hills,
steep ridges, cliffs and winding water shades. A forested area of
approximately 23,736 hectares, comprising of Shimba forest, Mkongani
West, Mkongani North, and Mwaluganje forest, also surrounds it. The
Mwaluganje forest is part of the current sanctuary, and the beautiful
Mwaluganje Travelers Tented Camp is in the forest reserve.
The ecological attractions in Mwaluganje are diverse with scenic beauty
such as the great natural forests, awe-inspiring cliffs and the warm
blue Indian Ocean. Other natural attractions are "God's Bridge," "Time
Rock" and the traditional shrine that characterizes the sacredness of
the community.
The sanctuary was created in 1993 to conserve the serene surroundings,
which house the rare and endangered African elephants, moist deciduous
forest, riparian vegetation, and other special attractions available in
the ecosystem.
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary in The South Coast Of
Mombasa
• Elephants Experience: Elephants are the main attraction at the
sanctuary, and there are as many as 150 residing there. Mwaluganje is a
historical bull area where independent elephant bulls grow in
preparation for the demanding life of breeding males. Their families
live in the neighboring Shimba Hills Reserve and Mwaluganje forest. On
occasion, family groups visit males during the mating season, or cross
the sanctuary as they travel between feeding areas. Once or twice a
year, several related elephant families join up and travel as a unit of
200 females and calves (of all ages). They gather in the Shimba Hills
and move into Mwaluganje during the rainy season (December, and
March/April). Such large herds usually last for no longer than three to
four days, and are consequently a rare and magnificent sight to see.
Like human families at reunion, these gatherings are marked by noisy
greetings (i.e. trumpeting).
• Botanical Experience: Dinosaur Cycads are fan-like plants that evolved
around 300 million years ago, and can be sighted while driving across
the Mwaluganje Sanctuary. They were most plentiful during the Jurassic
period (180 million years ago), when dinosaurs roamed the earth. All six
of Kenya's Cycad species (Eucephalartos hildebrantii) are found in
Mwaluganje. This species can grow to be 150 years old. Today's cycads
are confined to tropical and sub-tropical regions. There are 11 general
and approximately 250 species. The second largest is the African family,
the Eucephalartos, which consists of 60 species.
• Baobab Trees: The baobab tree, adansonia digitata, is one of Africa's
most unusual deciduous trees. The interior of its trunk (reaching up to
9 meters (30 feet) in diameter) and the lower branches are soft and
spongy and can store large quantities of water. Baobabs are specially
adapted for long dry seasons. They are leafless during this time of
year, thus reducing transpiration or water loss. The baobab is an
extremely slow growing tree, reaching up to 18 meters (60 feet) in
height. Truly giant specimens may be several thousand years old. Bats
pollinate the flowers of the baobab, and many other animals depend on
the unique tree for food and shelter. Look out for them in the
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary.
• The Scenic Landscape: The valleys overlooking the Taita Hills are a
sight to behold with quite flowing waters and serene surroundings it
almost like in paradise. These beautiful hills roll up to Tsavo National
Parks to the East and the Indian Ocean to the west, and are marked by
striking features like the: Golini cliffs, Kitanze Falls, Manolo River,
which consists of the Riverine vegetation and Meandering Rivers.
• Educational Experience: Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary was launched in
the early '90's largely to reduce local human/elephant conflicts, which
were on the rise due to both more elephants and more people. Elephants
would destroy crops and people would retaliate. More than 200 families
have voluntarily contributed land to the reserve, agreeing not to farm
this important elephant habitat. Today, they live nearby and manage the
sanctuary, earning more from tourism than from farming, a critical
factor in ensuring the survival of these elephants. The sanctuary has
also enabled the community to build school classrooms and enjoy a steady
water supply and better roads. Mwaluganje is currently receiving support
from Eden Wildlife Trust, Born Free Foundation, East African Wildlife
Society and Pact Inc to build the community's capacity to run the
sanctuary sustainable for the benefit of present and future generation.
