Mwea National Reserve
Mwea National Reserve is located within Mbeere district, in the Eastern province, a distance of about 200km from Nairobi in Kenya (safaris). The savannah ecosystem comprises of small hills with bushy vegetation and scattered large trees. Mwea national reserve is dominated by the Acacia-commiphora bushland on the north shore of Kamburu Reservoir, at the confluence of Tana and Thiba Rivers, the other vegetation is mixed among the scattered large trees (Acacia species and baobab trees) typical savannah ecosystem. Open grasslands are dominated the main rivers, with occasional thick underground, as well as a riparian or riverine woodland to thrill while on Kenya Safaris Tours.
The reserve was established in 1976 and it’s managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service and other organizations that have helped in funding the reserve for its development.
Attractions in Mwea National Reserve.
Wildlife.
Mwea national reserve has a variety of wildlife that includes African elephant, lesser kudus, Nile crocodiles, giraffes, Grant’s zebra, buffalos, African leopards, common duikers, black-backed jackals, bushbucks, waterbucks, sykes’ monkeys, warthogs, rock hyraxes, bush pigs, impalas, hartebeests, striped ground squirrels, common Genet cat, and yellow baboons and among others.
Bird species.
Mwea national reserve has over 200 species of birds which have been recorded in the reserve which includes the Kenya –endemic Hinde’s babbler, Pel’s fishing owl, and white-backed night heron, Malagasy pond heron and many others are common in the reserve for bird watching safaris .
Hippo sighting at Hippo point.
Hippos and crocodiles are found in the dams and rivers in the reserve, this as well brings tourists in the reserve who are interested in sighting, learning more about the hippos in the reserve.
Activites done in Mwea national Reserve.
Game Viewing.
The reserve is blessed with the most awesome animal species that gives tourists the best game viewing in the reserve with various animal species including Genet, black backed jackals, rock hyraxes, water bucks, zebras, buffalos, African elephants, impalas, lesser kudus, Nile crocodiles, giraffes, bush pigs, Skye monkey, warthogs, hartebeest and among more in the reserve.
Camping.
The reserve is a blessed place that offers camping to the tourists, this is activity is done outdoors by the guests, enjoying the wild nature and night fires, guests also enjoy the sounds of animal and bird sounds when it’s getting morning. The campsites in the reserve includes Mbogo camp, Silverster camp, Mavuria camp, Kyangosi camp, Hippo-Point camp , Kanyanga camp, Githechu camp and the rest.
Boat riding.
Tourists at Mwea national reserve can have a thrilling experience at kamburu dam and therefore the visitors can as well be able to see many water birds, beautiful sceneries and see lots of hippos coming close to their boat.
Bird watching.
Mwea national reserve is a home to over 200 bird species, in the reserve some of the species are endemic in the reserve like the Pels fishing owl, Makagasy pond heron, white backed night heron and among more, the tourist will be able to identify various bird species in the reserve, as well as realm of rare birds in the reserve.
Walking circuit.
At reserve, there is the provision of walking trails that have been created to suit your walking Kenya safari with animals in around the reserve with the help of the tour guides.
Entrance fees of Mwea national reserve.
| Category | Citizens (KSH) | Residents (KSH) | Non- Residents ( USD) |
| Adult | 300 | 300 | 22 |
| Child | 125 | 125 | 13 |
Where to stay in Mwea national reserve.
The reserve has got seven campsites that area located inside the reserve that are divided into public and private campsites which includes Kanyanga camp, Mbogo camp, Hippo-point camp, Kyangosi camp, Mavuria camp, Sylvester camp, Githechu camp which provides the amazing suitable accommodation in the reserve.
How to get to Mwea national reserve Kenya.
The reserve can be accessed by both the road and the flight means of transport from Nairobi to the reserve.
By Road means.
Mwea national reserve can be accessed from Nairobi through the Thika road, the journey always takes you about three hours which is about 200 kilometers from Nairobi. There is as well another option of using the Embu route instead of that of Thika.
By Flight means.
Mwea national reserve can be accessed by flight where there is an airstrip at the near the reserve known as Masinga airstrip for those who want to travel by air, the reserve can be easily accessed by the flight means to reach the reserve.
Mwea national reserve is renowned for its water birds and waders in Kenya, over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. The warranted it being an Important Bird Area (IBA). The reserve is the only protected area in which globally threatened and Kenya-endemic Hinde’s babbler (Turdoides hindei) and among many others occur in the reserve.
