Nature Sanctuaries in Tana River Ozi Community Conservation Area: A New Leaf The mouth of the River Tana has shifted many times. A century ago, the flooded river cut through into a canal dug for navigation from Belazoni, on the main river, into the Ozi – possibly an old Tana course. Today, the main stream of the Tana follows an artificial course, directly into an estuary at Kipini, rather than into the complex system of channels and deltas leading to its old mouth at Mto Tana. Until recently, some fresh water still flowed into the ‘old’ delta through one of these channels, the Kalota Brook – which is today the traditional jumping-off place, by boat, to Kipini, Delta Dunes Lodge and to the ruins of Mwana and Shaka. From Kalota you can also visit Ozi village on the coastal edge of the delta where Nature Kenya has been working with the community to establish a site support group, now in the process of establishing a useful community conserved area. Not so long ago, Ozi was considered an important community rice growing and producing area in the Tana River Delta. Ocean water intrusion, however, forced communities to abandon rice growing. At the interim, the rice variety cultivated could not survive in brackish waters. They sought alternative livelihoods, some of which were not good for the mangroves. The abandonment of rice cultivation in Ozi hurt the surrounding environment, particularly the mangrove and Ozi forests. Harvesting of mangrove poles was one of the alternative activities people got involved in. Communities also started clearing vegetation for farming, further into the forest, and this was detrimental. Since 2019 Nature Kenya, with support from European Union Rebuild, embarked on an initiative aimed at reducing degradation to the fading Ozi forest and the adjacent areas through the revival of rice growing. Today, visitors to Tana River County can explore Ozi Community Conservation area, governed by local communities with the goal of conserving biodiversity, preserving natural resources, and promoting sustainable development. Contact Nature Kenya via their site support group at: [email protected] or call +254 725 401684 to arrange for a guided tours to various site including Oza village, Fumo Liyongo Shrine, the ruins of a mosque and Old Town Kipini, among others. The tour of Ozi Community Conservation area get underway with a sailing start on the mdau – a localized dugout canoe made typically from the almond tree trunk. Safe, the locals say! Precarious to begin with but once proceeding are underway the balance becomes steadier. Interestingly, no two mdaus are the same, easy to tell because they are usually sailing side by side on the narrowest segments of the river. The mdaus are quite slender, the width of which allows just enough room for a single passenger. Powered by a single oarsman, they carry a maximum of three individuals at any given time, otherwise it is meant only for one and his load. As you paddle your way along the channel it is not unusual for a hippopotamus to bob up on occasion, then puff from its upturned nostrils as a way of announcing its presence. The birds here are as colourful as they are diverse. Nine different mangrove species can be found along the river’s delta, the most iconic of which is fondly referred to as “msukandazi” by the Pokomo, that is native to the area. On appearances alone Kipini could easily pass for anybody’s idea of a lost paradise. The meadows are evergreen, and the general atmosphere presents a prospect that is rather peaceful, relaxing and very pleasing to the eye and mind. The lush vegetation skirting River Tana’s banks is so luxurious that movement is made near-impossible at certain sections of the river channel. The quiet and solitude vista is punctuated only by the swishing sound of the slow-flowing river, or the mewing of a pelican or some other, hopefully small, bird in this birding haven. Otherwise, the rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze wafts in-between trees or the mooing of Boru’s cattle is the only audible sound there is. Elephants too roam the Delta as does the waterbuck and the buffalo. On the face of it, it is picture-perfect in many ways, a calm spot at the very edge of Kenya thanks in no small part to the rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. It does call to mind that this area is sold short. The first impression of the area hardly unveils any traits of human misery and degradation, but looks can be deceiving! As a matter of fact, the underlying causal effects imply that this near perfect portrayal of nature is not an unruffled splendor. It belies an ecological tragedy that's gradually inching to a tipping point. The ocean has been creeping further inland, impairing the freshwater flows. Felling of trees in River the area, coupled with the damming of its waters upstream for generating electricity, has all but done good in reducing the volume of water downstream. The communities around Kipini [Pokomo, Wardei and Orma] are bearing the brunt of this ecological tumble-down. Like the Orma, who are a pastoralist society, the Wardei are now forced to walk for many miles in search of water and pasture. The Pokomo, who are usually farmers, have had to contend with diminished levels of fresh water. Fishing activities have been affected, too. It is hoped that the Oza Community Conservation Area will open up this corner of Kenya for touring, and, by the same token, raise awareness of the plight of the modest people living here. Around Kenya are to be found a hatful of delightful nature parks and sanctuaries, many of these being community initiatives to protect wildlife in their natural habitats. Fairly small in comparison to the national parks and reserves, they offer a more intimate exposure to the wild, to fully appreciate the local flora and fauna. Index of Nature Parks & Sanctuaries in Kenya Bomet County - Kipsegon Ecosystem , Masese Nyangores Ecotourism Site , Bungoma County - Buteyo Miti Park , Garissa County - Garissa Giraffe Centre , Bour Algi Giraffe Sanctuary , Homa Bay County - Ondago Swamp Nature Sanctuary, Kakamega County - Isecheno Nature Reserve , Yala Nature Sanctuary , Kericho County - Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary , Chebown Nature Sanctuary , Kilifi County - Mnarani Snake Park , Mazingira Park , A Rocha Ecolodge & Conservation Centre , Mida Creek Sanctuary , Local Ocean Conservation , Bio-Ken Snake Farm , Mida Creek Nature Camp , The Kipepeo Butterfly Farm , Kisumu County - Dunga Beach Wetland Boardwalk, Kitui County - Mutomo Reptile Park , Kwale County - Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary , Colobus Conservation , Kaya Kinondo , Bora Bora Wildlife Park , Diani Reptile Park, Wasini Boardwalk , Gazi Boardwalk , Lamu County - Amu Ranch , Makueni County - Kivungoni Springs , Meru County - Thaaru Springs , Mombasa County - Mombasa Butterfly House , Haller Park , The Butterfly Pavillion , Nguuni Nature Sanctuary , Nairobi County - Nairobi Arboretum, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Safari Walk, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nyandarua County - Sharpe's Longclaw Reserve , Samburu County - Reteti Elephant Sanctuary , Maralal Game Sanctuary , Taita Taveta County - Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary , Njoro Springs , I thumba Elephant Nursery , Tana River County - Ozi Conservation , Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Nature Conservancy , Treasure of Africa , Uasin Gishu County - River Sosiani Park , Eldoret Nature & Cultural Centre Park, Wajir County - Wajir Giraffe Sanctuary Tana River County is a rewarding destination for travelers interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path locations in Kenya. River Tana is the longest river in Kenya, flowing through the county and offering opportunities for riverine activities such as boat cruises, fishing, and birdwatching. Tana River County is home to the Orma and Pokomo ethnic groups, each with rich cultural traditions, music, and dances. You Are Here: Ozi Conservation Area Where to Next? Explore Destinations Nearby Ozi Conservation Area A Guide to Tana River County A Summa Digest of Tana River About Tana River Way Back When 28 Destinations in Tana River County , arranged as one would visit these - north to south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart: Ngao Neukirchen Church , Lake Shakababo , Delta Dunes Lodge , Ozi Conservation Area , Tana River Lodge , Old Town Kipini , Ungwana Bay Ruins , Shaka Ruins , Mwana Ruins , Fumo Liyongo Shrine , Kipini Conservancy , Red Cliff Camp , River Tana Delta , Tana Delta Colonial Forts , Tana Delta Cultural Centre , Tana Primate National Reserve , Mchelelo Bandas , Ndera Conservancy , Mau Mau Hola Monument , Hola Methodist Church , Bura St. Jude , Bura Irrigation Scheme , Bura East Conservancy , Arawale National Reserve , George Adamson's Grave , Kora National Park , Adamson's Fall , Tana River Bridge Know More About Tana River County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments What's The Air Like In T. River? Tana River has a hot and dry climate with average annual temperatures of 30 o C; the highest,41 o C, is in January-March and the lowest being 20 o  C in June-July. Rainfall is low, bi-modal, and erratic. What's The Lay Of The Land In C.04? The land generally sloping eastward, Tana River is all undulating plain that is only interrupted in a few places by low hills – at Bilibil and Bura. Know More About Tana River County…

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