Tana River

Tana River County lies in Kenya's Coast region and is named after the Tana River, the country's longest river, which flows through it for hundreds of kilometres before reaching the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest town is Hola, also known as Galole. Much of the county is hot, dry and sparsely populated, with settlement and farming concentrated along the river.

The river has shaped the area's identity for generations. Pokomo farming communities and Orma pastoralists are among the main groups living along its banks and plains. Historic irrigation schemes at Hola and Bura turned parts of the semi-arid landscape into farmland, and the river remains central to daily life, trade and transport in many villages.

Travellers come for open landscapes rather than city life. Kora National Park, in the western part of the county, protects rugged bushland along the Tana and is known for its link with conservationist George Adamson. Downstream, the Tana River Delta is an extensive wetland and important bird habitat, while riverine forests shelter the endangered Tana River red colobus and Tana River mangabey. Arawale National Reserve lies in the county's north-east.

The main centres are Hola, Garsen and Bura, each with markets, shops and simple services. Agriculture, livestock keeping and fishing support the local economy, with rice, maize, mangoes, bananas and honey produced in the irrigation schemes and riverine areas. Roads are limited and conditions vary with the seasons, so travel usually requires patience and a suitable vehicle.

Tana River County suits travellers interested in wildlife, birdwatching, river landscapes and a less-visited side of Kenya, as well as business visitors working in agriculture, water, energy or development projects. It offers a slow-paced, authentic experience far from the busier safari circuits.