Haller Park Mombasa Entry Fee
BeyondForest- Jan 7
- 8 min read
Updated: May 6
By the end of this section you will have learnt
1.)Haller Park Location
2.)Haller Park Mombasa Casuarina Story
3.)List of Trees In Haller Park
5.)Haller Park Entrance Fee
7.)Haller Park Activities
Image of Haller Park Mombasa Gate Entrance Along Mombasa -Malindi Highway
Haller Park, located in Bamburi, Mombasa, Kenya, is a renowned ecological and wildlife sanctuary that has transformed from a barren limestone quarry into a vibrant natural haven.
This park, which covers approximately 200 hectares, is a testament to the power of environmental rehabilitation and serves as an iconic example of how human ingenuity can restore degraded landscapes.
It was established in the 1970s by Dr. René Haller, a Swiss agronomist and ecologist, whose vision turned a desolate area into a thriving ecosystem teeming with flora and fauna.
Haller Park's origins date back to the mid-20th century when the area was exploited for limestone mining by Bamburi Cement, a subsidiary of the Lafarge Group. The mining activities left behind vast stretches of barren land, with depleted soil incapable of supporting vegetation.
In 1971, Dr. Haller undertook the ambitious project of rehabilitating the quarry. His approach involved introducing hardy plant species, particularly the fast-growing Casuarina trees, to stabilize the soil and create a microhabitat suitable for other vegetation and wildlife.
Dr. Haller employed innovative techniques, such as using organic waste from the cement plant as fertilizer and introducing nitrogen-fixing plants to enrich the soil. Over the years, these efforts gradually transformed the landscape, attracting various species of animals, birds, and insects. By the 1980s, the area had begun to resemble a natural ecosystem, leading to its official designation as a wildlife sanctuary.
Haller Park Location
Haller Park is located in Bamburi, a coastal suburb of Mombasa, Kenya. It is situated along the Mombasa-Malindi Highway, near the Bamburi Cement Plant, approximately 10 kilometers north of Mombasa's city center.
Haller Park Casuarina Story
The dense forest at Haller park that is visible throughout the territory from the entrance was established in 1971 through planting of fast growing salt tolerant casuarina trees on the bare quarry floor. Casuarina is famously known to grow under harsh environmental conditions. And after 5 years of the pioneer planting, the casuarina started self seeding and began to colonize the surrounding quarry. After ten years 1981 the fastest growing casuarina trees reached a height of 30 m with a humus layer of 10 cm .The casuarina trees finally had pretty much accomplished their task which was to establish a friendly environment in a former wasteland hostile to plant life .
Under normal growing conditions casuarina trees develop deep tap roots ,however on the rocky quarry floor they can only form lateral root systems. Eventually the casuarina trees become so top heavy that the shallow roots fail to support the entire tree during storms and high ground water levels .At the moment casuarina trees are selectively harvested for timber and firewood to make room for indigenous trees, food and shelter for animals
List of Trees In Haller Park Mombasa
1.)Ficus thonningii(Mugumo Tree)
Ficus thonningii, commonly known as the Wild Fig or Strangler Fig, is a fast-growing, evergreen tree native to tropical Africa. It belongs to the Moraceae family and thrives in a wide range of ecological zones, from dry woodlands to riverine forests.
Ficus thonningii is well known for its aerial roots and dense canopy, providing excellent shade and habitat for birds and insects. Its small, round figs are edible and attract wildlife. Traditionally, the tree is valued for its medicinal properties—used to treat wounds, respiratory issues, and digestive ailments.
2.)Milicia excelsa
Milicia excelsa, commonly known as Iroko or Mvule, is a large, deciduous hardwood tree native to tropical Africa. It belongs to the Moraceae family and can grow up to 50 meters tall. Revered for its durable, termite-resistant timber, Milicia excelsa is widely used in construction, furniture, flooring, and boat building.
Image of Milicia excelsa tree at Haller Park Mombasa
The tree also holds cultural significance in many African societies and is considered sacred in some regions. Its leaves and bark are used in traditional medicine to treat ailments like coughs and wounds.
3.)Psidium Guajava
Psidium guajava, commonly known as guava, is a tropical fruit-bearing tree or shrub belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Native to Central America, it is now cultivated widely across tropical and subtropical regions.
The tree produces round to pear-shaped fruits with green or yellow skin and pink or white flesh, rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Guava is prized for its sweet, aromatic flavor and is consumed fresh or in juices, jams, and desserts. Medicinally, its leaves are used in teas to treat diarrhea, coughs, and inflammation.
4.)Erythrina sacleuxii
Erythrina sacleuxii is a rare and striking tree species belonging to the Fabaceae (legume) family, native to East Africa, particularly Kenya and Tanzania. Known for its vibrant red flowers, it plays an important role in supporting pollinators like birds and insects.
The tree features a thorny trunk and compound leaves, and it typically grows in dry, wooded areas or along riverbanks. Erythrina sacleuxii is valued for its ecological role in nitrogen fixation, enriching soils in degraded landscapes.
5.)Sycamore Fig
The Mkuyu tree (Ficus sycomorus), also known as the Sycamore Fig, is a large, spreading tree native to Africa and parts of the Middle East. It belongs to the Moraceae family and thrives in riverine areas and savannahs.
The tree is known for its broad canopy, gnarled trunk, and smooth, flaky bark. It produces edible, yellowish figs that attract birds, bats, and monkeys. Culturally significant, the Mkuyu is mentioned in ancient Egyptian texts and is still sacred in many African traditions.
6.)Red Sandalwood tree
Adenanthera pavonina, commonly known as the Red Sandalwood tree or Coral Wood, is a fast-growing, deciduous tree native to Southeast Asia and widely naturalized in tropical regions.
It belongs to the Fabaceae family and typically grows up to 15–20 meters tall. The tree is easily recognized by its bright red, bead-like seeds, which are often used in jewelry, ornaments, and traditional games. Its wood is reddish and durable, suitable for carving and firewood.
7.)Casuarina Tree
The Casuarina tree, also known as Whistling Pine or She-Oak, is a fast-growing evergreen native to Australia and Southeast Asia, but widely planted in tropical and coastal regions worldwide. In Kenya, Casuarina is highly valued for its hardwood, windbreak capabilities, and soil stabilization in sandy and coastal areas.
Casuarina can grow up to 30 meters tall and is easily recognized by its thin, needle-like foliage, which resembles pine needles but is actually made up of jointed branchlets. Casuarina is extremely drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, and thrives in poor soils, making it ideal for arid and semi-arid regions.
List of Animals In Haller Park
1.)Nile Monitor Lizard (Varanut niloticus)
The Varanut niloticus is Africa's largest lizard with pointed snout,the eye is large with a round pupil,roundyellow iris and black-yellow eyelids with long tongue and forked usually dark,very long neck ,relatively slim and cylindricalwith well developed muscular limbs with strong claws. They are usually hunted for their skinfor use in making leather products making the population under threat .They lay 20-60 eggs and incubates for 4-6 month . The Nile Monitor Lizard are commonly known to raid unattended crocodile nests, sea turtles and terrapin nests
2.)Red eared Terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Also known as Red eared slider Terrapin. Most popular pet turtle across the world. Carapace can reach more than 40 cm in length. Females are usually larger than males with a life span more than 40 years. The Red eared Terrapin native to colorado,virginia and Florida . They live in still warm water such as ponds, lakes and swamps. When threatened it secrets a very foul smelling oduor and lays 2-30 eggs up to 500 m from the nearest water in October -January and in march - April hatching appear
3.)Puff adder (Bitis arietans)
This African largest viper with small eyes with vertical pupil, yellow iris and upturned nostrils with a maximum size 1.85 m. They are found in most parts of East Africa with a bias ranging from semi deserts . This is Africa's most venomous snake ,it has long fangs that injects large quantities of venom deeply
4.)African Rock Python
This is the largest snake in Africa ,big, heavy and sub -triangular head, snout rounded ,eye fairly large and vertical pupil . Non- venomous, it does not have fangs but their bites penetrate deepy into the skin. The Python sebae are powerful constrictors and dangerous to humans. Maximum size of 5.5 meters with the average size 2.8 to 4 meters .
The African rock python are nocturnal but can bask and hunt opportunistically during the day. It is both terrestrial and aquatic with adults spending most of the time in water for both hunting and feeding purposes
5.)Ashe's/Giant spitting cobra /Naja nigricollis
The giant spitting cobra color ranges from brown,olive ,black,grey,red-brown with orange or pink bars on the neck. Broad heads, cylindrical bodies ,smooth scales with a maximum size of 2 meters. The giant cobra is found in coastal thickets, moist and dry savannah and found in western, central,southern kenya and along the coast. The giant cobra is terrestrial but can easily climb trees. They can lay 8-20 eggs. They mainly prey on toads, chicks and eggs, snakes,lizards and rodents
Haller Park Entrance Fee
Citizen Adult | 600Ksh |
Citizen Child | 250Ksh |
Resident Adult | 600Ksh |
Resident Child | 250Ksh |
Non Resident Adult | 1800Ksh |
Non Resident Child | 700Ksh |
Lower Primary (PP1-Grade 3) Teachers | 450 Ksh |
Lower Primary (PP1-Grade 3) Student | 200Ksh |
Upper Primary (PP1-Grade 3) Teachers | 450Ksh |
Upper Primary (PP1-Grade 3) Student | 300Ksh |
Secondary Teachers | 450Ksh |
Secondary Students | 350Ksh |
Colleges and Universities Teachers | 500 Ksh |
Colleges and Universities Students | 400Ksh |
Non-East African Institution Teachers | 1500Ksh |
Non-East African Institution Students | 1000Ksh |
Special Tours (Talk & Field practical) Teachers | 1000 Ksh |
Special Tours (Talk & Field practical) Students | 1000 Ksh |
Special Talk and Park Tours Teachers | 1000 Ksh |
Special Talk and Park Tours Student | 1000 Ksh |
Guided Bird Watching Teachers Teachers | 3000 Ksh |
Guided Bird Watching Teachers Students | 3000 Ksh |
Haller Park in Mombasa offers visitors the opportunity to observe animal feeding sessions, which are among the park's highlights. Giraffe Feeding is Around 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Visitors can engage in feeding the giraffes during these times .Hippo Feeding is at 4:00 PM. This session allows visitors to watch hippos during their feeding time. While Crocodile Feeding is at 4:30 PM. Visitors can observe crocodiles being fed during this time.
Haller Park Activities
Haller Park in Bamburi, Mombasa, offers a range of activities that highlight its rich biodiversity and rehabilitated landscape.
Animal Feeding Sessions
Giraffe Feeding
Visitors can hand-feed giraffes at scheduled times, creating a unique and interactive experience.
Hippo Feeding
Observe hippos during their feeding session and learn about their behavior.
Crocodile Feeding
A thrilling opportunity to watch crocodiles being fed by park staff.
Explore the lush trails winding through the park, featuring diverse vegetation, including palm groves and indigenous coastal forests. The paths offer scenic views of lakes, quarries, and wildlife habitats
Wildlife Viewing
Encounter a variety of animals, including giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, waterbucks, and elands.The park is home to hundreds of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts.
Fish Farm Visit
Learn about fish farming and aquaculture initiatives undertaken as part of the park's sustainability projects.
Butterfly Pavilion
Witness vibrant butterfly species in their natural habitat, providing a serene and colorful experience.
Educational Tours
Ideal for students and families, the tours provide insights into the park’s history, ecological rehabilitation, and sustainable practices.
Reptile Park
View snakes, lizards, and other reptiles up close in a safe environment.
Designated spots are available for relaxing picnics amid the park’s serene surroundings.
Guided Tours
Trained guides offer in-depth tours of the park, highlighting its history, flora, and fauna.
Comments