Nature Sanctuaries in Lamu
Amu Ranch: A Hidden Safari Wonderland
The 259 km2 Amu Ranch, a little-explored outback in Kenya situated adjacent to the Witu Forest Reserve, is the sanctum for endemic wildlife species like the rare Somali lion and handsome Ader’s Duiker. It also harbours spectacular marine life and mottled bird-life in its variegated biosphere comprised of the coast, forest and mangrove spaces. Amu Ranch was underway as a group cooperative in the 1970s, instigated by the community who were yearning to protect their land. Their efforts in trying to safeguard the unsullied 64,000-acres of land, much larger than several of Kenya’s well-known national parks, were, at the onset, unsuccessful.
The limited resources and lack of support, was, at the last, stabilized through Lamu Conservation Trust. And since takeoff, Amu Ranch and its community has for many years now been actively protecting their land, diversity, and cultural heritage. For touring, Amu Ranch has 28 km of fairly smooth parkways which are motorable year-round. It is a picture-book wilderness of open areas fringed by doum, Raffia palms and lofty coastal trees, such as the epic baobabs, tamarinds, bambakofi (mahogany) and figs, with rain filled pools and small lakes adorned with blue and white water-lilies and abundant birdlife surveilling everywhere.
“It was the first time I had been to the Amu Ranch, and it was, indeed, a most memorable visit. Mzee Omari Twalib who heads Project Amu met us at the jetty where we landed by boat, accessing Amu through one of the many Mangrove creeks whose watery fingers reach into the scenic mainland. We drove the short distance through herds of coastal topi to Farouk’s Camp, one of two of Amu’s base camps. Built by the Amu staff, the camp was simple but extremely practical, made purely from natural materials. The Amu team is an inspiration, here everyone does everything, and we were treated to a royal welcome by the rangers”. – L. Daphne Sheldrick. Half or full day tours need to be booked in advance, at: 0704 748 739 or otm.amu2@yahoo.com. It is reached via a 30 minutes boat ride from Lamu Town.
Around Kenya are to be found a hatful of delightful nature parks and sanctuaries, many of these being community initiatives to protect wildlife in their natural habitats. Fairly small in comparison to the national parks and reserves, they offer a more intimate exposure to the wild, to fully appreciate the local flora and fauna.
Index of Nature Parks & Sanctuaries in Kenya
Bomet County - Kipsegon Ecosystem, Masese Nyangores Ecotourism Site, Bungoma County - Buteyo Miti Park, Garissa County - Garissa Giraffe Centre, Bour Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Homa Bay County - Ondago Swamp Nature Sanctuary, Kakamega County - Isecheno Nature Reserve, Yala Nature Sanctuary, Kericho County - Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary, Chebown Nature Sanctuary, Kilifi County - Mnarani Snake Park, Mazingira Park, A Rocha Ecolodge & Conservation Centre, Mida Creek Sanctuary, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Mida Creek Nature Camp, The Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Kisumu County - Dunga Beach Wetland Boardwalk, Kitui County - Mutomo Reptile Park, Kwale County - Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Colobus Conservation, Kaya Kinondo, Bora Bora Wildlife Park, Diani Reptile Park, Wasini Boardwalk, Gazi Boardwalk, Lamu County - Amu Ranch, Makueni County - Kivungoni Springs, Meru County - Thaaru Springs, Mombasa County - Mombasa Butterfly House, Haller Park, The Butterfly Pavillion, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Nairobi County - Nairobi Arboretum, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Safari Walk, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nyandarua County - Sharpe's Longclaw Reserve, Samburu County - Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Maralal Game Sanctuary, Taita Taveta County - Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Njoro Springs, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Tana River County - Ozi Conservation, Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Nature Conservancy, Treasure of Africa, Uasin Gishu County - River Sosiani Park, Eldoret Nature & Cultural Centre Park, Wajir County - Wajir Giraffe Sanctuary
Lamu County is one of Kenya’s most unique and enchanting regions, known for its rich Swahili culture, pristine beaches, and UNESCO-listed heritage. Located on the northern coast of Kenya, it consists of a group of islands (Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayu) and a stretch of mainland coastline. Lamu Island in particular is more than just a destination—it’s a living piece of Swahili history and coastal paradise.
You Are Here: Amu Ranch
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Explore Destinations Nearby Amu Ranch
A Guide to Lamu County
A Summa Digest of Lamu
About Lamu Way Back When
70 Destinations in Lamu County, arranged as one would visit these - west, south, north then west - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Delta Dunes Lodge, Lake Moa, Old Town Witu, Witu Forest Reserve, Pangani Swamp, Lake Kiboko, Amu Ranch, Lake Amu, Kipini Conservancy, Lake Kenyatta, Amu Baharini Beach, Kizuke Beach, Lamu (Manda) Port, Red Pepper House, Lamu Island, Matondoni Dau Workshop, Matondoni Ruins, Tusitiri Dhow, Kipungani Ruins, Kizingoni Beach, Old Town Lamu, Lamu World Heritage Sector, Lamu Museum, The Swahili House Museum, German Post Office Museum, Lamu Fort, Lamu Market, Masjid Khoja Ithnasheri, Masjid Riyadha, House of Habib Swaleh, The Mosque College Lamu, Lamu Catholic Church, Tamarind Tree Cafe, Donkey Sanctuary, The Floating Bar, Boat Rides, MaraRaha, Kijani Hotel, Shela Village, Friday Masjid, Forodhani House, Peponi Hotel, Shela Beach, Bahari Restaurant, Fort at Shela, Ras Kitau, Diamond Village, The Maljis, Takwa Ruins, Manda Island, Manda Lodge, Manda Toto, Manda Coral Quarry, Nabahani Ruins, Pate Island, Shanga Ruins, Siyu Fort, Shindamweh, Atu Ruins, Chundwa Ruins, Faza Village, Lamu Monuments, Mangrove Forests, Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine N. Reserve, Kiwayu Island, Ashuwei, Boni Forest National Reserve, Ishakani Ruins, Lamu Festivals
Know More About Lamu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like In Lamu?
Lamu County lies along the Equatorial Climate System, enjoying two rainy seasons and temperatures between 24°C and 30°C year round – Hottest in December & April
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.05?
Lamu is composed of a coastal zone of 65 islands, vast creeks, bays, sand bars and mangrove. Among these, Lamu Island, hosting Lamu Town, is the bussiest. The mainland is flat to undulating.
Abiri Kenya 