Background Information
The Tana River National Primate Reserve was gazetted in 1976 to protect the Lower Tana riverine forests and two highly endangered primates, the Mangabey and the Tana River Red Colobus. The reserve consists mainly of patches of riperian forests extending for 16km along the meandering course of the lower tana river, 350km east of Nairobi and 240km north of Mombasa. At the time of establishment, the reserve occupied approximately 171 Km of forest, dry woodland and savanna habitat on the East and West of the Lower Tana River. 16 patches of forests ranging ftom 10 to 625 ha. in size fall within the reserve.
Climate:
The climate is generally hot and dry. Average rainfall ranges between 400 and 500mm per annum. Precipitation is concentrated in one main season, may - june. Average monthly temperatures range from 20 to 40 degrees Centigrade.
