Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary
Sweetwaters Game Reserve is 24,000-acre private ranch with magnificent views across the plains to the snow capped peaks of Mount Kenya. This game sanctuary is the closest reserve to Nairobi (2.5 hours drive) home to all the big five game, and has the highest ratio of game-to-area of any park or reserve in Kenya. Its popular waterhole is floodlit by night, providing excellent and secluded rarely seen game viewing. Game viewing may also take the form of game walks accompanied by our Resident Naturalist, and game rides on horseback. Camel riding, night game drives and "bush" lunches or dinners are a delight. Located on the reserve is one of several Jane Goodall Institute Sanctuaries maintained in East Africa. Kept here are a group of chimpanzees originally housed at the JGI sanctuary in Bujumbura, Burundi. When the Burundi government became unstable in 1994, the chimpanzees were relocated here. The aim of the project was to set up a colony where chimps could be introduced, rehabilitated and taught to fend for themselves in an area similar to their natural living conditions. Priority is given to orphaned and abused chimps. The Sanctuary currently has 26 chimps, including two babies born in the Sanctuary. There is also a new Visitor's Information Center at Morani's Boma. Morani is a tame black rhino (a rare phenomenon) born in 1974. He was brought to the ranch after his mother was killed by poachers, and ever since is resident in his own sub-sanctuary. A visit to Morani is an especially wonderful treat for children. Seeing wildlife within the sanctuary, perched atop camels is a unique experience. |
