Haller Park

Home · Safari

Visit Nyali Haller Park

During our visit to Kenya we were keen  to venture out of the Voyager hotel complex.

One day we took the hotel taxi with a knowledgeable guide and went to visit Haller Park. The journey was an adventure in itself. We decided not to take the local transport – many of which are just bikes with a strange looking padded seat above the back wheel. The ‘driver’ settles you onto the seat and pedals of to your destination. It is a very cheap way to travel. There were no Tuk Tuks in this area – there were quite a few in the Malindi area though.  The best time to visit Haller Park is late afternoon feeding starts around 4pm (check with hotel the animation team can advice)

We arrived at Haller Park and were greeted warmly by the staff. This is a sponsored project supported by Lafarge who used the quarry then created the park when their work had finished there. It is popular with locals, schools and tourists alike.

Once you have paid, many go straight to see the giraffes. They live in the quarry and on the higher section which forms the sides, a platform has been put in and you can look a giraffe in the eye!! You can also feed them by hand. Hold out your open hand with food on it and the giraffe will come to you – and the tongue is HUGE. The gentle creature happily accepts your offering – just leaving you with a saliva-wet hand there is running water to wash your hands.

When or even if, you have had enough of these lovely creatures, you can carry on into the park and visit the many other creatures.

It is quite exciting to get around it all and manage to see each of the animals being fed. The most spectacular has to be the crocodiles. Raw meat is attached to a strange contraption, which hoists the meat above the crocodiles as they laze in the sun.

Suddenly they spring into life and leap out of the water to try for their meal. The keeper does not give in easily and moves it up and down and teases the crocs. Jaws snap and the larger crocs try to show their supremacy over the youngsters. At a time like this you are grateful for the large wall in place apparently after heavy rains the crocodiles escaped but luckily they have all been re-captured.. or have they *smile*

Another feeding session takes place by the lake. As the food is put out around the grass area, the buffalos birds stroll across to have something to eat. Next moment, there is a splash from the lake and large jaws emerge giving a wide yawn. Out from the depths emerge the hippos. They amble up into the shade and begin to eat slowly. It is the closest we have ever seen a hippo.

When you tire of this wonderful site, you can walk up into the clearing where you can meet close up, a 125 year old tortoise. There are other reptiles, snake, lizards and tortoises. There are plenty of places to take a drink and relax in the shade enjoying the huge range of fauna.

Haller Park is a great place to visit and you can meet so many creatures there an ideal half day trip for all the family.