The Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary lies at the heart of the Tsavo eco system, surrounded by Tsavo East and West including Jipe national parks and the Taita Game Sanctuary. It is composed of three group ranches ( Lualenyi, Mramba and Oza), all of whom have elected to pool their natural resources in the interests of sustaining this unique wilderness area.

The area is a vital wildlife corridor for the animals of Tsavo East and West, an ancient elephant migratory route and an important breeding site for lions.

Fact File

Altitude:150-1,800 metres above sea level.
Area: 125,000 acres.
Location: South-west Kenya, inland from the coast.
Distance from Nairobi:360 km south of Nairobi, 200 km north west of Mombasa
Vegetation: The area features over 1,000 plant species and a mixed habitat of bush, grasslands and acacia woodlands dotted with baobab, ivory palm, saltbush, doum palm, tamarind and fig trees.
Climate: the area has a typical savannah climate.
Fauna: lion, leopard, cheetah, serval cat, civet, bat eared fox, buffalo, giraffe, elephant, baboon, waterbuck, Coke's hartebeest, eland, gazelle, zebra, mongoose, hyrax, dik dik, porcupine, and oryx, the unusual aard-wolf, and both striped and spotted hyena
Birds: The prolific bird life features 600 recorded species.
Roads: The roads are well graded, maintained and signposted. Drivable all year with little black cotton.

Encircled By Mountains

The area is surrounded by the North and South Pares Mountains (70 km distant), Kasigau ( 50km) Mount Kilimanjaro (80 kms away), the West Usambara Mountains and the Taita Hills.
The landscape
The landscape is composed of rolling savannah and remnants of ancient highland tropical rainforest.

A Vital Lion Breeding Area

The habitat includes the Mwashoti, Mwakitau and Ndola Hills and Lion Rock, all of which are important breeding sites for lion.

Beautiful Birds

Highlights of the birdlife include those of the semi-arid zone, such as ostrich and golden pipit while, perhaps the most conspicuous, are the white-headed buffalo weaver and the brilliantly plumaged golden-breasted starling. Raucous hornbill are also prevalent as are such hole-nesting birds as parrot, barbet and roller.