Wildlife Conservancies in Mwingi National Game Reserve

The 231-square-kilometre Kanyonyoo Wildlife Conservancy is home to the surviving plains wildlife that originally roamed freely across this once-uninhabited region. The territory consists of arid bushland, with acacia trees scattered throughout.

It is one of Kenya’s national parks located east of Thika and is roughly 76 km from Kanyonyoo Market. While the B7 Kibwezi–Kitui–Kandwia–Usueni Road runs along its western frontier, making it accessible from both the south and east, the A3 Thika–Garissa–Liboi Road runs along its southern flanks.

Although there is no lodging within the conservancy, Thatha Hills Resort and Kitui Premier Resort are both conveniently located nearby. The conservancy was established to protect the existing wildlife while allowing ranching activities to continue.

The wildlife is impressive and includes giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and antelopes. The area also supports diverse birdlife. Kitui’s parkways are accessible nearly year-round because of the area’s typically dry climate.

It is practically a sure thing to succeed against the backdrop of Thatha Hills, and the conservancy also has impressive game. An enjoyable afternoon game drive full of adventure is made possible by Kanyonyoo Wildlife Conservancy’s lack of a focal point or a much-discussed spectacle. The conservancy is situated in Thatha Village, 30 kilometres north of Kitui Town.

Ukasi Hill

The main route from Nairobi to Garissa, the country’s capital town, is a decent road that passes through Thika and Mwingi Game Reserve, crosses the northern parts of Kitui and Tana River Counties, and is 369 km long. Beyond Thika, the terrain is primarily made up of heavy thorn-bush vegetation with sparse grass due to the area’s relatively low rainfall and the local practice of overgrazing.

The road crosses the River Kanginga at Mwingi, 127 km east of Thika. From there, the terrain descends eastward with a few low-lying hills. Three little hills, Endau (4,387 feet), Engamba (3,100 feet), and Kandelongwe (1,570 feet), rise sharply from this plain.

This featureless plain, which has sparse inselbergs and widely spaced valleys, stretches east and northeast until it meets Garissa Town, which is located along its western boundary. A further sixty-one miles to the east of Mwingi Game Reserve is Ukasi, home of Ukasi Hill. The contents of this area are more stunning than the scenery alone.

Ukasi Hill became well known because of its strange and unusual inhabitants. One of the rarest and strangest-looking insects in Kenya can be found only on the modest 120 m-high Ukasi Hill, close to Ngomeni: the yellow-haired fly was discovered for the first time by scientists in 1933 and again in 1948. The insect, known as the horrible hairy fly, has since been discovered by at least six expeditions, according to Standard Media.

It is believed that this peculiar fly, which is incapable of flying and prefers to spawn on bat excrement, inhabits only the shadowy, bat-filled crevice on the remote Ukasi Hill. Its eyes are tiny, and it has strange, non-functional wings that look like little belts.

When you visit Mwingi Game Reserve, you can also explore Ukasi Hill.

How to get to Mwingi National Reserve might be on your mind. But we’re giving it all to you here.

How to Get to Mwingi National Reserve

Mwingi National Reserve is a less-visited tourist destination in northern Kenya, spanning an area of roughly 745 square kilometres and situated in the Mwingi District in north-eastern Kenya. The reserve, originally known as the Kitui North National Reserve, is located north of Mwingi Town and borders the parks of Kora and Meru.

The Kenya Wildlife Service has categorised it as a Wilderness Activity Zone, meaning that camel riding, fly camping, and equestrian safaris are permitted in addition to the restricted amount of traditional wildlife viewing. The Mwingi National Reserve County is responsible for maintaining the reserve.

The reserve may be reached by road from Meru National Park via Adamson’s Bridge to Kora National Park, or via Thika to Mwingi and then northeast through Kyuso settlement. The trip from Nairobi to Mwingi National Reserve takes about four to five hours by car. The park and nearby Meru National Park are connected by a tiny bridge. Having a well-equipped 4×4 vehicle is crucial. It is best to travel with a friend if you are travelling alone.

By Air

There are three airports in Meru National Park that provide access to the park: Masanduku, Kampi ya Simba, and Kyethoni.

The Kenya Wildlife Service and the Mwingi County Council are working together to construct walking pathways within the reserve and improve accessibility for visitors.

By Road

The reserve can be reached from Meru National Park via Adamson’s Bridge to Kora National Park, or from Thika to Mwingi and then northeast through Kyuso settlement. The Kitui County Government is also working to make the reserve more accessible.

The Best Time to Visit Mwingi National Game Reserve

The reserve’s ideal months to visit are January, February, June, July, August, and September, because these months generally have the best weather.

Accommodation at Mwingi National Reserve

The park does not provide lodging, although nearby cities of Thika and Mwingi, as well as Meru National Park and Kora National Reserve, do offer safari lodging. Within the reserve, camping is permitted in the approved places.

A Word of Caution

Because this reserve is in the hottest part of Kenya, bring plenty of water with you because it gets very hot and muggy there. To really experience this park, allow yourself at least one day to thoroughly explore every location.

It is great to spend a night in the park. Note that the park does not yet have any lodging options. You must either drive or set up a tent on Meru.