The Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary lies at the heart of the Tsavo eco system, surrounded by Tsavo East and West national parks and the Taita Game Sanctuary. It is composed of three group ranches (Taita, Lualenyi, Mramba and Oza), all of whom have elected to pool their natural resources in the interests of sustaining this unique wilderness area.  The area is a vital wildlife corridor for the animals of Tsavo East and West, it is also an ancient elephant migratory route. 

Fact File

• Altitude: 150-1,800 metres above sea level.
• Area: 98,840 acres.  
• Location: South-west Kenya, inland from the coast. 
• Distance from Nairobi: 360 km south of Nairobi, 200 km north west of Mombasa 
• Vegetation: The area features over 1000 plant species and a mixed habitat of bush, grasslands and acacia woodlands dotted with baobab, ivory palm, saltbush, doum palm, tamarind and fig trees. 
• Climate: the area has a typical savannah climate.
• Fauna: includes: lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe,  elephant, baboon, waterbuck, Coke’s hartebeest, gazelle, zebra, mongoose, hyrax, dik dik, porcupine, and oryx. 
• Birds: The prolific bird life features 600 recorded species. 
• Roads: The roads are well graded, maintained and signposted.   

Main highlights:

Encircled by mountains

The area is surrounded by the North Pares Mountains (70 km distant), Mount Kilimanjaro (80 kms away), the West Usambara Mountains and the Taita Hills.

The landscape

The landscape is composed of rolling savannah and remnants of ancient highland tropical rainforest. 

A vital lion breeding area

The habitat includes the Mwashoti, Mwakitau and Ndola Hills and Lion Rock, all of which are important breeding sites for lion.

Beautiful birds

Highlights of the birdlife include those of the semi-arid zone, such as ostrich and golden pipit while perhaps the most conspicuous are the white-headed buffalo weaver and the brilliantly plumaged golden-breasted starling. Raucous hornbill are also prevalent as are such hole-nesting birds as parrot, barbet and roller.