The wonders of Mwaluganje

Are you planning a days excursion away from the pearl sandy beaches of the Kenyan coast? Then Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is the place to visit.

The Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary which forms part of the larger Shimba Hills Ecosystem is a major tourists attraction in Kwale County. This scenic sanctuary that lies approximately 45 km southwest of the coastal town of Mombasa, is home to the famous African Bush Elephant, the Loxodonta Africana. Formed in the early 1990s as a community ecotourism project to reduce human wildlife conflicts, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is mainly characterized by magnificent features including rolling hills, steep ridges, raised cliffs,  and winding water shades.

Courtesy: Shimba Lodge

Set in a serene environment that is surrounded by spectacular landscapes and abundant vegetation, the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is a must visit destination. Elephants are the main attraction here. When you visit this 36 km² sanctuary, elephant groups or families are easily spotted as they move between feeding and water areas or maybe crossing to the adjacent Shimba Hills National Reserve.

Apart from being home to elephants which are among the big five game animals of Africa, the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is also habitat to several other wild mammal species including the warthogs, baboons, bushbucks and monkeys. It is also a unique bird sighting area, as it is home to various birds species including the crowned eagles, African hawks, honey guide and sunbirds. 

This sanctuary also has distinct botanic importance as it is home to the endangered native African cycad plant genus biologically known as the encephalartos.
  

There are six species of cycads in Kenya, all of which are found in the expansive Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. These beautiful evergreen plants can grow and survive to around 150 years if not disturbed.

Touring the magnificent Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary offers a memorable lifetime experience as one gets a chance to take beautiful photos of the calm surrounding, and at the tented Mwaluganje camp.