Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Taita Taveta

Geography of Taita Taveta County

Taita Taveta County is divided into three major topographical zones. The upper zone comprised of Taita, Mwambirwa and Sagalla Hill, with altitudes ranging between 304 to 2,208 ms. The lower zone consists of plains of Tsavo Parks. The main rivers in Taita Taveta County are Tsavo, Lumi and Voi. Mzima Springs is the major water supplier to Voi Town and Mombasa City, while small springs and streams include Njukini, Njoro kubwa, Kitobo, Sanite, Maji Wadeni and the Lemonya Springs. And in addition is Lake Jipe exploited for small-scale fishing.

Land Use in Taita Taveta County

The land surface area of Taita Taveta County is 17,059 km2. Of these, the total agricultural land is approximately 10,630 km2, with arable land constituting about 2,055 km2. The rest is rangeland best suited for livestock rearing. About 14,307.2 km2 of land is non-arable. The percentage of arable and non-arable land area is 12% and 88% respectively. Additionally, the Tsavo National Parks cover an approximate area of 10,650 km2, which translates to about 62% of the total land area. Water bodies cover approximately 16 km2, leaving about 22% of the land for settlement and agricultural activities. Much of the land in Taita Taveta County is communally retained with only 35% of land having title deeds.

Highlights in Taita Taveta County

In the lowlands and transitional zone of Taita Taveta County lies the expansive rangeland where the Tsavo National Parks are located. 62% of Taveta County’s area constitutes Tsavo National Parks. Some of the notable areas include Aruba Dam, Mudanda Rock, Lugard’s Falls, Mzima Springs, craters and Yatta Plateau.

Population in Taita Taveta County

According to the 2009 Population and Housing Census, the total population of Taita Taveta County was 284,657. This population was projected to be 306,205 in 2012 – comprising of 149,869 females and 156,336 males – set to increase to 329,383 and 345,800 in 2015 and 2017. Of the four constituencies, Voi has the highest number of people at 96,229; followed by Mwatate with a population of 76,926, and Taveta, with 72,787. Wundanyi, its HQ, is the least populated town. Majority of the population lives in areas between 1000-2000 ms especially in Wundanyi, Mwambirwa and Tausa. These high potential agricultural areas have experienced growth rates above the county’s average, which has led to increasing land fragmentation and land shortage.

The result is down slope migration to the foothills and lowlands. Besides, many Kambas have settled in Taveta and the drier, less densely occupied areas of Taita, especially around the Kasigau area. Many Duruma and Mijikenda have settled between Buguta and Maungu where they have outnumbered the indigenous Taita. The Luo and Luhya are mainly found in and around the sisal plantations (Taveta, Ziwani, Mwatate, and Voi (where they are employed). Other tribes are mainly found in urban areas, especially Voi and Taveta and in the mining areas. There is an increasing number of Somali leasing ranches in Taita for livestock keeping.

Airports in Taita Taveta County

There are 17 airstrips in Taita Taveta County with 6 located in Taveta, 5 in Voi and 6 in Mwatate. These include 2 private airstrips, one located in Mwatate and another in Taveta and 4 public airstrips found within the Tsavo National Parks.

Roads in Taita Taveta County

Taita Taveta County has almost 90 class D, E and unclassified roads totaling 1,513 kms and a further 200 kms of class A, B and C roads. The main roads are A109 Mtito Andei-Voi-Bacuma Road (150 kms), A23 Voi-Taveta Road (123 kms), C104 Mwatate-Wundanyi Road (18 kms) and the C105 Voi loop (6 kms).

Climate in Taita Taveta County

Rainfall is low and bi-annual, with roughly equal maxima in March/April and November/December. It decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the Taita hills. Thus, while the rain-gauge one hundred yards north of Mwatate Station (Mwatate II) records an annual average of 23 inches, a gauge only two miles away, northeast of Sembi (Mwatate IV) records an average of 20 inches. Rainfall distribution is uneven, with the highlands receiving higher rainfall than the lowland areas. The mean temperature in Taita Taveta is 23 Degrees Celsius.

National Monuments in Taita Taveta County

  • First District Commissioner’s Office Taveta
  • Taveta ACK Holy Trinity Church Mahoo
  • The German Fortress
  • Voi Commonwealth War Graves
  • Maktau Indian Commonwealth Graves
  • Taveta Indian Military Cemetery
  • Taveta Commonwealth War Graves
  • Taveta ACK Graves
  • Maktau Railway Station
  • Maktau Picket Hill
  • Salaita Hill
  • Kino Caves (Kenyatta Caves)

Situated in south-western Kenya, and part of the Coast Region of Kenya, Taita-Taveta County is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The county features diverse landscapes, including the Taita Hills, which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and the vast plains of Tsavo, which are part of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks – Kenya’s largest wildlife preserve.

You Are Here: Taita Taveta County

Where to Next?

Explore Destinations in Taita Taveta County

Guide to Taita Taveta County

A Summa Digest of Taita Taveta

About Taita Taveta Way Back When

85 Destinations in Taita Taveta County , arranged as one would visit these - north, west then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Chyulu Hills National Park , Kisula Caves , Kampi ya Kanzi Lodge , Tsavo West National Park , Kamboyo Lodge , Mzima Springs , Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge , Ancient Roaring Rocks, Ngulia Hills , Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary , Kitchwa Tembo Hill , Chaimu Crater , The Five Sister's Hills , Shetani Lava , Finch Hattons Camp , Mount Kilimanjaro , Lake Chala , Crystal Lake Chala Caves , Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp , Sniper Tree , Gicheha Ziwani Farm , The Njoro Springs , Grogan’s Castle , Mokine Hill, Lake Jipe , Lake Jipe Eco-lodge , Salaita Hill , The Taveta Military Cemetery , Maktau Indian Cemetery , Maktau Railway Station , Taita Hills Game Lodge , Taita Hills Museum , Sarova Salt Lick Lodge , Mwashoti Hill , Maili 27 Bridge, Mwakitau Hill , Lumo Game Sanctuary , Lions Bluff Lodge , Lualenyi Camp , Ndolwa Game Sanctuary , Dembwa Falls , Bura Mission Church , Vuria Hill , Taita Hills , Wesu Rock , Taita Rocks Hotel , Malowa's Shrine , Taita Skull Caves , Taita Research Station , Kilangarenyi Falls , Ngangao Forest , Kenyatta Caves , Mount Sagalla , Rev. Wray Memorial Museum , Ngutuni Wildlife Sanctuary , Volunteer International Camp Tsavo , Mount Kasigau , Kasigau Base Camp , The Maungu Plains, Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary , Wushumbu Conservancy, Teita Sisal Estate , Mbulia Conservancy , Tsavo East National Park , Ithumba Elephant Nursery , Yatta Plateau , Tsavo Springs , Emusaya Wilderness Arc , Galdessa Little Camp , Lugard's Falls , Mudanda Rock , Voi War Cemetery , Lion Hill Lodge , Kanderi Swamp , Voi Wildlife Lodge , Aruba Dam , A. Aruba Lodge , Nyiri Desert

Know More About Taita Taveta County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Air Like in T.Taveta?

The mean temperature in Taita Taveta is 23 Degrees Celsius, cooler around the hills and hotter on the Nyika where the Tsavos sit. Rainfall distribution is uneven, with the highlands receiving higher rains than the lowland areas.

What’s The Lay Of The Land in C.06?

Taita Taveta County is divided into two major topographical zones: The upper zone high zones, and the lower zone consists of plains of Tsavos.

Know More About Taita Taveta County…