Visiting Nguuni Nature Sanctuary in Mombasa. Is it worth it?

Where is Nguuni Nature Sanctuary?

Nguuni Nature Sanctuary can be found in the Nguu Tatu Hills, close to the Nyali/Bamburi area of Mombasa, Kenya. It is not too far from the Bamburi Cement Factory.

What is Nguuni Nature Sanctuary in Mombasa?

Nguuni Nature Sanctuary is way more than just a place to see cool animals. Hidden away on the outskirts of Mombasa, this former limestone quarry has been transformed into a peaceful wildlife reserve where giraffes, ostriches, antelope and hundreds of bird species can roam freely. giving you an up close and personal experience of Mombasa wildlife. The transformation was led by Swiss environmentalist Dr Rene Haller, whose pioneering restoration work turned what was once barren unused land into a thriving ecosystem. Today, Nguuni stands as a reminder that when community and conservation work together, incredible things can happen. This makes the sanctuary one of the most unique experiences in Mombasa.

How Much Does Nguuni Nature Sanctuary Cost?

• 1,000 KES for tourists

• 400 KES for residents

• Prices are correct at the time of writing but may change, so it is always worth checking before you visit.

How to Get to Nguuni Nature Sanctuary?

Nguuni Nature Sanctuary is around 10 minute drive from Bamburi Beach in Mombasa. We booked an Uber through the app which cost us around 500 KES (approx. £3)

Animals You Can See at Nguuni Nature Sanctuary

• Giraffes

• Ostriches

• Oryx

• Waterbuck

• Antelope

• Butterflies

• Squirrels

• Around 300 different species of birds

During our visit we were lucky enough to meet Farah and Lois, two of the parks oldest giraffes, up close. And we even got to see Faraha's new born baby.

Things to Do at Nguuni Nature Sanctuary

Walk The Grail Trail

A 1.2km walk that takes you from the entrance to the viewpoint through the wilderness. We knew the animals could free roam in the park (we didn't realise that they would all be at the viewpoint) so we spent the whole time convinced we were going to bump into an ostrich on the walk. The trail leads you past the butterfly house which you can enter but I will be honest, I saw more butterflies outside the house than inside - nice plants though, it gives a bit of a greenhouse vibe.

Feed the Giraffes

This takes place daily at around 4pm, which is a big hit with everyone. The hungry giraffes come right up to the viewpoint whilst the guides feed them and you stand looking up and marvelling at how tall they are. As you can imagine, this creates one of the best photo opportunities in Mombasa. If you wanted to get a bit closer to the giraffes, you can buy specialised pellets from the reception where with the assistance of a guide you can hand feed them.

Meeting Faraha and Lois

I appreciate that this experience isn't going to be something that everyone will get the chance to do but I enjoyed it so much that it needs to be mentioned. Our guide allowed us to walk with him up to where the two oldest giraffes in the park were grazing for the day. We met Faraha and Lois and learned that Faraha had recently given birth to a baby giraffe, we got to see the baby and learned that the mother carries them for 14 months.

Take a Picnic

There is nowhere to buy food or snacks at Nguuni, but you are more than welcome to take your own. You can buy water and juice from the Kiosk at the viewpoint. There are plenty of tables, sheltered from the sun where you can enjoy your picnic whilst taking in the surroundings, but beware - the animals seem to become extremely inquisitive as soon as food comes out and it might not be long before you have a cheeky ostrich hoping for a bit of your sandwich.

Wildlife Photography

If you are a budding photographer, this is the perfect place to test your skills. The combination of free roaming wildlife, open viewpoints, abundance of plants and flowers, and golden afternoon light makes it one of the best photography spots in Mombasa.

Sunset Sundowner Experience

You can visit the sanctuary for sunset. Now, everything online says that you must book in advance, however when we were there we were told to arrive around 4pm, pay entry to the park and then inform one of the guides that we would like to stay. This should cost an extra 3500 KES for up to 20 people and you can request to have a bonfire and some snacks and drinks provided as part of your experience. It was quite busy when we were there as there was a birthday party having a BBQ, however there is enough space for it not to feel too crowded and for everyone to enjoy watching the animals. The giraffes will disappear shortly after sunset but the ostriches will stick around in the hope of snagging some food.

Is Nguuni Nature Sanctuary Worth Visiting?

If animals and natural surroundings are your thing then 100% yes. Although Haller Park is more well known and everyone seems to flock there, I actually loved how peaceful Nguuni felt. The lack of crowds, the free roaming animals and the chance to get so close to the giraffes made it one of my favourite wildlife experiences in Mombasa.

Top Tips for Visiting Nguuni Nature Sanctuary:

• Arrive before 4pm if you want to see the giraffe feeding

• Bring a picnic as there is nowhere to buy food once inside (only drinks at the kiosk)

• Don't forget your camera - you have so much opportunity for incredible photographs

• Stay for sunset or book the sundowner experience if you have the time

• Don't get too close to the ostriches even if they are curious - they are used to people but they are still wild animals and deserve respect

• Bring water and sun protection, there are shaded areas at the viewpoint but not much elsewhere

• There are toilets at the viewpoint

Looking for more ideas? Check out my guide to the best Things to do in Mombasa for more wildlife, beaches and hidden gems.