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Coast · County · Kenya
Tana River
Long, sparsely populated county straddling the lower Tana River: the bird-rich Tana Delta wetlands, the Tana River Primate Reserve (rare Tana mangabey and red colobus) and Kora National Park, plus riverine and coastal ecosystems.
Know this county · verified 2026-09-16
The Tana Delta is best in the dry June to September; the primate reserve is good April to July and November to January. Access depends on security as much as season.
Advisory-dependent; a niche destination for birders and researchers where security allows
Hola is about 350 km / 6 to 7 hours by road north of Mombasa via Malindi and Garsen; the delta is reached via Garsen; much of the county is remote.
4x4 and local guides essential; boats are used in the delta; public transport is limited.
Important: most of Tana River County is covered by Do Not Travel / against-all-travel advisories (Al-Shabaab and kidnapping risk), with the Tsavo National Park area treated separately. Check your government's current advisory and take local security advice before any travel.
Police, ambulance and fire: 999 or 112 (also 911).
Hola County Referral Hospital (Hola); Ngao Hospital in the delta area.
Mobile and M-Pesa in Hola, Garsen and larger towns; weak or absent in the delta and bush.
birders, researchers and wildlife specialists travelling with guides and following advisories
Tana River travel questions
Sourced answers to what visitors ask about Tana River.
How do I get around Tana River?
4x4 and local guides essential; boats are used in the delta; public transport is limited.
Full answer and sources →How do I get to Tana River?
Hola is about 350 km / 6 to 7 hours by road north of Mombasa via Malindi and Garsen; the delta is reached via Garsen; much of the county is remote.
Full answer and sources →How many days should I spend in Tana River?
Advisory-dependent; a niche destination for birders and researchers where security allows
Full answer and sources →Is Tana River safe for visitors?
Important: most of Tana River County is covered by Do Not Travel / against-all-travel advisories (Al-Shabaab and kidnapping risk), with the Tsavo National Park area treated separately. Check your government's current advisory and take local security advice before any travel.
Full answer and sources →What is Tana River known for?
Long, sparsely populated county straddling the lower Tana River: the bird-rich Tana Delta wetlands, the Tana River Primate Reserve (rare Tana mangabey and red colobus) and Kora National Park, plus riverine and coastal ecosystems.
Full answer and sources →When is the best time to visit Tana River?
The Tana Delta is best in the dry June to September; the primate reserve is good April to July and November to January. Access depends on security as much as season.
Full answer and sources →Where is the nearest hospital in Tana River?
Hola County Referral Hospital (Hola); Ngao Hospital in the delta area.
Full answer and sources →Who is Tana River best suited for?
birders, researchers and wildlife specialists travelling with guides and following advisories
Full answer and sources →