Tana River Primate National Reserve- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Tana River Primate National Reserve, located in southeastern Kenya, was established in 1976 to protect the endangered Tana River mangabey and Tana River red colobus—two primate species found exclusively in fragmented riverine forests along a 60 km stretch of the Lower Tana River between Nkanjonja and Mitapani. Although the reserve spanned 170 square kilometers, only about 13 square kilometers consisted of lush forest patches surrounded by semi-arid savanna. These forests are remnants of Central African lowland rainforest, offering a unique ecological composition within East Africa. Despite receiving international funding, including a $6.7 million World Bank project, conservation efforts struggled, and in 2007 the reserve lost its official protection after a court ruled it was not legally established. Nevertheless, the region remains ecologically significant, supporting over 260 bird species—such as the rare white-winged apalis and African pygmy-falcon—and at least 57 mammal species. Its distinctive mix of flora and fauna, coupled with its potential as a climate change refugium, continues to draw attention from researchers and conservationists.