Haller Park Mombasa: A Beautiful Sanctuary

Haller Park is a nature park located in Bamburi, Mombasa. Today it is a beautiful, green paradise that houses many different species of animals and plants. It gives a cool vibe and providing relaxation from normal city life. However, this beautiful park was not always like that. In the 1960s after years of quarrying, the area became an arid wasteland. In 1971 Bamburi Cement Company decided to rehabilitate the land. After failed attempts to introduce any life in the limestone desert, Dr Rene Haller introduced red-legged millipedes. These millipedes fed on casuarina needles and produced droppings that were easily broken down by bacteria to provide a rich humus layer where other plants were able to grow.

Initially referred to as “Bamburi Nature Trail”, it was renamed Haller Park in 1999. In honour of Dr Haller’s efforts in the rehabilitation of the wasteland into the beautiful park, it is today.

The Park Today

Today the park contains a crocodile farm, a game sanctuary, a fish farm, a butterfly sanctuary, a reptile park and a giraffe viewing area. It is home to a variety of animals including giraffes, crocodiles, snakes, buffalos, hippos, antelopes as well as many other small animals.

The best time to visit the park is during feeding time. You will see the various animals being fed and you get to see the giraffes.

Giraffes are fed twice: 11.00Am and 3.00PM.

Hippos and Antelopes are Fed at 4.00PM

Crocodiles are fed at 4.30 PM. In my opinion, this was not feeding it was a show for us and I really pitied the crocodiles. The guy came out with only one chicken cut into 3 pieces. He tied each piece to a rope, he then dangled it closer to the crocs and made them fight for it. The first time was fun but after that, it just seemed cruel.

Best time to visit: 2.00 PM

Entrance Fee: East African citizens, Ksh 500 for adults, Ksh 200 for kids and Others, Ksh 1400 for adults, Ksh 600 for kids.

Opening Hours: 8.00AM – 5.00PM daily. (Google has wrong hours)

Website: https://lafargeecosystems.co.ke/

Haller Park also neighbours a sister park that offers nature trails and bile riding trails for a fee of Ksh 250, if all you need it to relax.

If you have a day in Mombasa I would recommend visiting Fort Jesus in the morning and then heading to Haller Park in the afternoon.