Mwea National Reserve
The Mwea National Reserve is situated approximately 200km from Nairobi within Mbeere District, in Eastern Province. The savannah ecosystem comprises small hills with bushy vegetation and scattered large trees.
Mwea National Reserve is characterized by bushy vegetation and scattered large trees, a typical savannah ecosystem. Trees mainly found within the ecosystem are the baobab trees and different Acacia species. Open grasslands are dominant along the main rivers, with occasional thick undergrowth. The ecosystem’s major features are the convention point of rivers Kamburu and Masinga hydroelectric dams, Tana and Thiba which is a haven of a variety of biodiversity.
Major wildlife attractions include the Rothschild giraffes, elephants, Lesser kudu, Common zebras, Water Buck, Bushbuck, Buffalo, Impala, Aardvark, Vervet Monkeys, Yellow baboons, Dik-dik, Black-backed jackal, Cape hare, Grants gazelle, Duiker, Warthog, Sykes monkeys, Genet cat, Stripped ground squirrel, Slender mongoose, Dwarf mongoose, Rock Hyrax, Crested porcupine, Tree Hyrax, and tortoise. Over 200 species of birds have also been recorded here.
The size of the park is about 42 km2 and its climatic condition is semi-arid with an annual rainfall of 510-760 mm per year
The park can be accessed by road through Thika-Matuu-Masinga Dam from Nairobi which is about 160 km. Access is also possible via Embu-Machanga and other routes. It can be accessed by air through the Masinga airstrip
Attractions at Mwea National Reserve
- Nature Walks
- Realm of Rare birds
- Hippo Point
- Game Viewing
- Dams
- Boat rides at Kamburu dam
Activities
- Bird Watching
- Camping
- Game viewing
- Bird watching
Other Kenya National Parks and Game Reserves