Haller Park (formerly Bamburi Nature Trail) is located south of the Bamburi cement plant along the Mombasa /Malindi highway. A product of the company's efforts, since 1971, to convert barren landscape of disused limestone quarries into vibrant and diverse ecosystem of forest, grasslands and ponds.
Currently, Haller Park plays host to a variety of wildlife including hippos, giraffes, buffalos, and antelopes as well as smaller mammals and birds. The Park was the first recipient to be honoured with the United Nations Environmental Program Global 500 Roll of Honour award for the unique, ecologically sound and successful rehabilitation undertaken.
The Park consists of a Game Sanctuary, Reptile Park, small demonstration Fish Farm area, Palm Garden, Crocodile pens and a giraffe viewing platform, offering a variety of attractions at the various points to educate and entertain the over 160,000 visitors who visit the park every year. The diversity of vegetation is considerable, from mangrove palms and majestic indigenous shade trees to coastal forests where several of these plants are rare and endangered; a haven for botanist. Yet each plant plays an important role in the overall harmony of the ecosystem.
The park also provides a home to various animal species from the cheeky Vervet monkeys to the graceful giraffe; Weaver birds, Kingfisher, Storks, Herons, Egrets, Owls, Eagles, Kites, Cranes, Ibis, Sandpipers the list is endless, Haller Park a must visit for all lovers bird.
The story of Owen and Mzee
Found stranded on the Malindi beach after the 2004 Tsunami, Owen (hippopotamus) was rescued and brought to Haller Park where he was adopted by Mzee (a 130 year old tortoise) as his surrogate mother. It was this rare relationship that made Owen one of the famous animals worldwide.
Haller Park is Nature Park in Bamburi, Mombasa, on the Kenyan Coast. It is the transformation of a quarry wasteland into an ecological paradise. Haller Park holds a variety of plant and animal species which serve as a recreation hot spot to tourists and locals. Up to March 2007 it held the famous attraction of Owen and Mzee – the friendship of a hippopotamus and a tortoise
