Haller Park sits on what was once a limestone quarry for Bamburi Cement, a barren wasteland where nothing grew.
In the 1970s, Dr. René Haller transformed that wasteland into the lush nature sanctuary you visit today. The environmental rehabilitation story is internationally recognized. Casuarina trees stabilized the soil. Millipedes broke down organic matter. Decades later, the forest returned, and with it, the wildlife.
Today it's Mombasa's best family-friendly wildlife attraction. You hand-feed Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform, watch Nile crocodiles snatch meat during feeding sessions, and walk through rehabilitated forest among antelopes and hippos. The park sits in Bamburi, about 12 km north of Mombasa island, an easy stop for visitors staying along the north coast.
Entry Fees
As of early 2026:
- East African Citizens: KES 800 adults, KES 400 children
- Non-Residents: KES 2,200 adults, KES 1,000 children
- Animal pellets (for giraffe feeding): sold separately, around KES 100-200
Annual passes available (Single KES 8,000, Couple KES 14,000, Family KES 20,000).
Opening Hours and Feeding Times
The park is open 8am to 5pm daily. Last entry 4:30pm.
The feeding sessions are the main attraction:
- Giraffe feeding: Around 2:45pm (you can buy pellets throughout the day and feed them at the platform)
- Hippo feeding: Around 4pm
- Crocodile feeding: Around 4:30pm
Feeding schedules shift occasionally. Confirm times at the entrance when you arrive. Plan to arrive by 2pm to catch all three sessions. Allow at least 2 hours for the full experience.
How to Get There
Haller Park is in Bamburi, on the north coast road (Malindi Road) about 12 km from Mombasa island.
If you're staying in Nyali, Bamburi, or Shanzu, it's a 10-15 minute tuk-tuk or Uber ride. From Mombasa city centre, it takes 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.
Most north coast hotels can arrange transport or give you directions. It's straightforward to find.
The Giraffe Feeding Experience
This is the highlight. You climb to a raised wooden platform where staff sell food pellets. Rothschild's giraffes approach and feed directly from your hand.
Their tongues are long, dark, and slightly slimy. They're habituated and gentle. You can touch their heads or necks while feeding them. The experience is similar to Nairobi's Giraffe Centre, but the setting is different — more tropical, less manicured.
Staff provide brief talks about Rothschild's giraffe conservation. Fewer than 2,000 remain in the wild. The encounter is quick but memorable. Perfect for photos.
The Crocodile and Hippo Feedings
The afternoon feeding sessions draw crowds.
At 4pm, staff feed the park's hippos near a viewing area. At 4:30pm, the crocodile feeding begins — handlers dangle chunks of meat over the water, and the Nile crocodiles lunge and snap. It's dramatic. Kids love it.
Both sessions last 10-15 minutes. They're scheduled entertainment, not spontaneous wildlife encounters, but they work.
The Nature Trail and Other Animals
Beyond the feeding sessions, you can walk the nature trail through the rehabilitated forest. The path is well-marked and takes 45-60 minutes at a relaxed pace.
You'll see antelopes (eland, oryx, waterbuck), vervet monkeys, and over 160 bird species. The reptile house displays snakes and lizards. The butterfly pavilion has colorful species. Fish ponds are stocked with tilapia and other species — children can feed them too.
The environmental interpretation panels along the trail tell the story of the quarry rehabilitation. It's genuinely impressive how the landscape was transformed.
Owen and Mzee — The Famous Duo
Haller Park gained global fame for the friendship between Owen (a baby hippo orphaned by the 2004 tsunami) and Mzee (a 130-year-old Aldabra tortoise). Their unlikely bond became a best-selling children's book series.
Owen grew too large to safely remain with Mzee and was relocated to live with other hippos. Mzee is still at the park. The story remains part of the park's identity and is featured in educational displays.
Don't visit expecting to see them together, but the story is still celebrated.
How Long to Spend
2-3 hours covers the giraffe feeding, crocodile and hippo sessions, the nature trail, and the reptile house.
It's not a full-day destination, but it's a solid half-day activity. If you arrive at 2pm, you'll finish around 5pm as the park closes.
Practical Tips
Bring cash for pellets and any extras. Comfortable walking shoes for the trail. Sunscreen and a hat — the giraffe platform and some sections of the trail have limited shade.
Bring your camera. The giraffe feeding produces excellent photos.
The park has basic facilities. Limited food options on-site. Consider eating before or after your visit at nearby Bamburi restaurants.
The park can feel slightly tired in places — it's not as polished as Nairobi's top attractions. But the experience is genuine and the conservation story is remarkable.
Haller Park vs Nairobi Giraffe Centre
Both offer Rothschild's giraffe hand-feeding from raised platforms. The mechanics are similar.
Haller Park is larger and offers more animal variety: crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, reptile house, nature trail. The environmental rehabilitation story is extraordinary — transforming a cement quarry into a functioning ecosystem.
The Giraffe Centre is more focused, more famous, and more polished. The conservation angle (breeding Rothschild's giraffes for reintroduction) is stronger. Visitor infrastructure is better.
If you're visiting both Nairobi and Mombasa, both are worth doing. They complement each other. If you're only visiting the coast and want a giraffe encounter, Haller Park delivers. If you're only in Nairobi, the Giraffe Centre is essential.
Who Should Visit
Families with children of any age. The giraffe feeding, crocodile show, and nature trail keep kids engaged.
Wildlife enthusiasts interested in conservation and environmental rehabilitation. The quarry-to-forest story is genuinely inspiring.
Visitors staying on Mombasa's north coast looking for a half-day activity that doesn't require a long drive.
Skip it if you're tight on time and prioritizing beach or Fort Jesus. It's excellent, but not essential unless you're specifically interested in wildlife.
The Environmental Story
This deserves emphasis. Haller Park is proof that large-scale ecological rehabilitation is possible.
In the 1970s, the site was a sterile limestone quarry. Dr. René Haller introduced casuarina trees (which can grow in poor soil) and coconut palms. Millipedes were brought in to break down leaf litter and create organic matter. The ecosystem gradually built itself from there.
Decades later, the forest supports giraffes, hippos, antelopes, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species. The story is internationally recognized and studied by environmental scientists.
That transformation is remarkable. The park isn't just a place to feed giraffes — it's a working demonstration of how damaged ecosystems can be restored with patience and science.
Browse more Things to Do in Mombasa on BestKenya, or explore our Fort Jesus Mombasa guide. If you're planning a coast trip, see our Diani Beach complete guide. For Nairobi's equivalent experience, read our Giraffe Centre Nairobi guide.
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