Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

Tucked beneath the dramatic Golini Ridge less than an hour from Diani Beach, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary protects a crucial 40-square-kilometre corridor connecting Shimba Hills National Reserve with Mwaluganje Forest Reserve. Established in 1995 by more than 260 local landowners from the Digo and Duruma communities, the sanctuary transformed a conflict hotspot into Kenya's first community-owned wildlife reserve, safeguarding ancestral elephant migration paths.

Explore forested ridges, deep river gorges, and ancient stands of prehistoric cycads along guided walking and hiking routes far from coastal crowds. Beyond elephant tracking, the sanctuary showcases inventive community enterprises including honey harvesting and crafting recycled paper from elephant dung, with entrance fees directly compensating community landholders and supporting local village schools.