Twenzetu Tana River

The Tana River, sourcing from the snowy peaks of the majestic Mount Kenya and the Aberdare ranges meanders and shapes over nearly 1,000 km of Kenya

The Tana River, sourcing from the snowy peaks of the majestic Mount Kenya and the Aberdare ranges meanders and shapes over nearly 1,000 km of Kenya. It creates a maze of tidal creeks and mangrove swamps, salt marshes and palm islands On the remote shores of Kenya’s far Northern coast, the mighty waters of the Tana River meet the sea in a massive River Delta This isolated region is a truly unique location, where the great inland wilderness of the North meets the beauty of the coast.

 

Explore Tana River

There is grassland.

The Tana River Delta is an imperative wetland in Africa, one of the largest coastal delta ecosystems in Eastern Africa competing with the Okavango Delta. The Tana river boasts of a plethora of freshwater, floodplain, estuarine and coastal areas with expansive mangroves, intertidal areas and immaculate beaches, forming a large and very productive coastal ecosystem. The beach is a long undulated line of sand, bound by bush-covered dunes on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. Birds of prey and critters scuttle across the sand.

 

Tana River adventures

The Tana River is a great place for rafting, with calm pools and exciting rapids. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced kayaker, there’s something for everyone on the Tana. You can explore the river for a few hours or take a multi-day expedition. Watching the wildlife on the river is a great adventure in itself.

Dancing, eating, and drinking

The Tana river has been described as the sleeping giant of the coastal region. This is due to the easygoing nature of the region.  The central hub of the Tana river is a town called Hola.

Hola has a combination of local bars as well as bars within the camps along the river.

Within this region, you will find camps with breathtaking river views. For instance, Kudu Safari Camp in Koito offers a wide range of traditionally prepared cuisine, accommodations, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, a garden and a terrace.

 

What to see and do

The Tana delta is a place of spectacular panoramic views, engulfing a scrubland bustling with game and birds and the endless rolling sands of deserted beaches.

Tana river offers the best of both worlds, spending the morning exploring a river filled with flora and fauna by canoe, and swimming in the blue waters of the Indian Ocean in the afternoon. This is the perfect destination for those looking for a safari with a difference.

Adventurous river rapids in Tana River have created a hub for Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking in Kenya. Bird watching is also excellent while rafting through the valley. This is a unique culmination of  beach dunes, river, and bush to give you an unforgettable experience

 

Where to stay

From city center conference hotels to charming hideaways, Tana river offers a range of staycations. If you go on the higher end you will pay high prices, over $100 per night. Many places will rent you a tent, or place to pitch a tent for the budget traveler. The Backpackers hotel chain has hostel-like accommodations at a variety of locations in Kenya.

The only available accommodation in this area is at the Tana Delta Camp, where boats are available for travel upriver.

Kora lodge is also a perfect option for accommodation. Its main attractions being the pristine wilderness, Adamson’s falls, the Kora rapids, and George Adamson’s grave. The lodge also straddles the long line for sands dunes. It shields the Tana Delta’s flood plains from the waters of the Indian Ocean. You get to enjoy a variety of birds including waders, kingfishers, and herons. Spacious en suite bathrooms offer alfresco showers open to the stars. There is also a swimming pool.

 

How to get around

The Tana River Delta is best accessed by road (a 3-hour drive) from Malindi. There is an airstrip for private charters. This is an excellent place for trekking.

Share this tour