National Parks Africa » Arawale National Park

Remote and undeveloped, Arawale National Reserve consists of a 533square-kilometre (213-square-mile) triangle adjacent to the eastern banks of the Tana River in the north-eastern part of Kenya. It was created in 1974 specifically for the protection of Hunter’s hartebeest or hirole, a rarely seen antelope with lyre-shaped horns similar to the impala’s and a white stripe across the forehead between the eyes. Small herds comprising a territorial males accompanied by his females, tend to favour the open grassland patches between the more dense bushland. Grevy’s zebra and lesser kudu are also found, as are herds of buffalo and rapidly diminishing numbers of elephants.

Hunter’s hartebeest is only found in this part of Kenya and although potentially threatened because of range restriction and small numbers, they seem to be holding their own. They are under little threat, since there is not much competition with man for living space in this remote part of the world and there has been no official hunting allowed in Kenya since the blanket ban on hunting wildlife imposed in 1977. Although the range of Hunter’s hartebeest probably extends eastward into southern Somalia, the species has never been reliably recorded on the western banks of the Tana. There are no accommodation or camping facilities in Arawale. enya coastline. For sheer tranquility and lovely coastal views it is unbeatable. There are areas of open glades alternating with impressive stands of coastal rain forest. Herds of roan and spectacular sable antelope (occurring nowhere else in the country) can be found grazing here.

Fowl town: Lone bull buffalo can be seen and there is a resident herd which spends most of midday sheltering under the shade of one or two trees, normally in the area of the landing strip. There are signs of elephant everywhere and they can be seen going to drink in the mornings and evenings. They sometimes even wander into the outskirts of Kwale town. However, most of the time the herd are deep in the seemingly impenetrable forest in the middle of the park. Forest loving red duiker, bushbuck, waterbuck and grey duiker are also found. Lions and leopards are also present, although not in abundance. Bird-life, however, is profuse. Keep an eye out for the spur fowl kwale in Swahili from which the town takes its name.

An easy drive from any of the beach resorts south of Mombasa, the Shimba Hills offer a cool change from the humidity of the coastal strip. There are stunning views of the ocean and Tanzania’s Usambar