NGUUNI: A GIRAFFE NATURE SANCTUARY IN KENYA
Have you dreamed of having and “Out of Africa” experience, watching the sun setting on a savannah idyllic landscape while giraffes roam free around you? Nguuni Nature Sanctuary is then the place for you.
Nguuni is a giraffe sanctuary in Mombasa, kenya, where visitors are allowed to walk around and experience the wild life.
I visited the Nguuni nature sanctuary and spent a few hours inside while I visited Mombasa and it was one of the coolest things I did in Kenya during my few months stay there.
In this guide I will share my experience with you and share some photos and a video to help you prepared your visit to this incredible place.
ABOUT NGUUNI NATURE SANCTURY
This giraffe sanctuary in Mombasa is the work of Dr Rene Haller, a Swiss environmentalist who moved to Africa in 1959 and after working for some time for the Bamburi Cement company he brought them to give him right to transformed some acres of wasteland into life again.
He used sustainable agricultural techniques and transformed the land into a savannah type of natural reserve where plants and animals coexist in freedom and harmony.
Dr. Haller also found the most well known Haller park in Mombasa where visitors can feed giraffes and walk around Aldabra tortoises among other animals, a very well known landmark.
The lesser known Nguuni park is however a much better set up to interact with the beautiful giraffes as they walk around in the park in complete freedom.
VIDEO OF MY EXPERIENCE AT NGUUNI NATURE SANCTUARY
This is a very where you can see my visit to the this beautiful giraffe sanctuary in Kenya.
You can see me walking with giraffes and hiking around the trail with one of the sanctuary guides.
NGUUNI NATURE SANCTUARY LOCATION
The sanctuary is located in the Nguu Tatu hills, off the Kiembeni road, just 4,8 Km from the better known Haller park in the Nyali area of Mombasa. It is also located just a 10 minutes drive from the Bamburi beach.
Find here a pin with the location:
HOW TO GET TO NGUUNI
The best way to get to the sanctuary is using a Tuk Tuk or taxi. You can also drive your own car but the roads are not really in good condition so you might damager your car tires. There is a parking place at the entrance of the sanctuary.
You can also book a tour and they will organize everything for you.
Book here:
NGUUNI NATURE SANCTUARY ENTRANCE FEE
The fees are different for Kenyan residents and non residents.
Adult Resident: Kshs 350.00 | Children: Kshs 100.00
Adult Non-Resident: Kshs 800.00 | Child Non-Resident: Kshs 400.00
Call them on 0700 337 068 prior to the visit to make sure that
there people there. This spot is not that popular yet so you need to make sure that is open and there are guides available prior to your visit.
THINGS TO DO IN NGUUNI NATURE SANCTUARY
HIKING
Once you have paid your ticket the reception people will tell you the best way to go through the park and get to the picnic area.
There are usually guards at the picnic area that will guide you on a nature trail around the park and they will tell you about the history of the park and the different animal species around.
The basic guided walk is included in the entrance fee.If you would like to have a more customized experience you can always discuss the details with the guides.
Please always remember to tip your guide as it is a custom in East Africa.
WALKING WITH GIRAFFES
This is the highlight of Nguuni and you will be doing this all along your visit. I did not expect to see any giraffes until I reached the picnic area but I was so lucky to spot giraffes just after walking a few meters into the park and walk along with them all the way.
Remember that even if giraffes are lovely animals you should not get any close that 5 meters as they are big and they could feel threatened and kick you.
If you respect the safety distance they are pretty cool and shy and you will be able to enjoy this amazing animals safely.
SEE FEEDING OF GIRAFFES
They feed the giraffes and some of the other animals, such as waterbuck, giraffe, oryx, eland and ostrich. Ask at the reception about the feeding times so you can be close to the picnic area at that time and hang around with the animals.
It is the best opportunity for photography with the giraffes.
BIRD WATCHING
If you are a bird watch lover you can organize a bird watching nature walk tailored to your needs.
You can see some seasonal birds on the park or pink-backed pelican, yellow-billed stork, Egyptian geese, white-face whistling duck and many others all year round.
PICNIC WITH GIRAFFES
You can watch the sunset with giraffes but adding 3000 Ksh to your entrance fees. This extra fee includes the use of the barbecue facilities as well as staying the extra time in the park after sunset.
CAMPING
Camping in the park is possible for an extra 150 Ksh but you must arrange your own tent. Please contact the park reception for the latest fees and details about the camping experience.
WHAT TO PACK FOR NGUUNI NATURE SANCTUARY
LONG PANTS: I recommend using long pants, same for safari, to avoid insects bites and the scorching sun.
HAT: The sun can get pretty strong during the day so you will doing much better with a hat.
WATER: Bring plenty of water. They sell some soft drinks at the picnic area but as the sanctuary does not have many visitors in the day of my visit they had to send someone
outside to buy the drinks so we had to wait for a long time.
INSECT REPELLENT: Use some insect repellent before entering the park to avoid insect bites.
SUNSCREEN: This is a must in the park and all around Mombasa.
SUNGLASSES: Some good quality polarized sunglasses will make your visit much better.
BINOCULARS: This is a must, mostly if you would like to do some bird watching.
CAMERA WITH ZOOM LENSES: There are many good photo opportunities in the
sanctuary and you will need your zoom lenses to capture some good quality photos.
TENT AND SLEEPING BAG: If you are planing to sleep in the park you need to arrange yourself the tent and sleeping bag. You could also call the park to see if there is a way they could arrange it for you through some local store.
WRAP – UP
I spend three months traveling Kenya and Nguuni nature sanctuary was the highlight of my trip. Walking so close to these animals is such an amazing experience that I recommend to anyone visiting this beautiful country.
The giraffe sanctuary is also an island of tranquility in the middle of busy Mombasa and the perfect getaway to take a break in between your visit to the historical and cultural attractions of this fascinating city.
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