Haller Park, Mombasa: Barren Quarry turned into a Lush Conservatory Park

In the heart of Kenya’s coast lies a marvel, not crafted by nature but resurrected from industry – a place where the roar of machines has given way to the rustle of leaves and hippos’ low grunts.

Haller Park in Mombasa is no ordinary conservation story; it’s a sanctuary painstakingly coaxed from rock and dust.

Step into this retreat, and you’ll see more than trees and animals – you’ll walk through decades of transformation, resilience, and ecological genius.

Here, beauty didn’t come naturally; it demanded grit, patience, and an unrelenting will to restore life where there was none.

A Barren Quarry turns Green

It’s hard to imagine that in the 1950s, the land beneath Haller Park was anything but green.

As Bamburi Cement Company’s mining stripped the landscape, the area became a barren wasteland. The soil, contaminated by brackish water, seemed hostile to life.

Enter Dr. Rene Haller, an ecologist with a dream to turn this ravaged quarry into a living ecosystem.

Beneath the coastal sun, he scoured the land for signs of life, finding hardiest ferns clinging to the quarry floor – small signs that gave him hope.

Painstakingly Slow Reclamation of Nature

Restoring life to this desert wasn’t as simple as planting trees. The soil was nearly sterile, and the landscape seemed unforgiving.

Dr. Haller introduced microorganisms to enrich the soil, and with time, a few trees began to survive. Between 1971 and 1974, thousands of saplings were planted, but only three species survived the harsh conditions.

Undeterred, Dr. Haller continued experimenting until, gradually, patches of green began to appear.

Haller even introduced red-legged millipedes to break down fallen pine needles and create humus to nourish the young plants. This attracted white-tailed mongooses and civets, which started a natural food chain.

From Hippos to Fish ….

One of Haller Park’s most unexpected champions was Sally, a hippo whose role went beyond spectacle. Hippos play a vital role in pond ecosystems, aerating water and fertilizing it.

Sally, joined by a rescued male named Potty, became a beloved resident, their presence supporting aquatic life, particularly a thriving fish population that would later grace local menus as “Bamburi tilapia.”

Haller’s experimental approach continued with the introduction of other species: crocodiles, elands, and oryx – all contributing to the park’s biodiversity.

Each species was carefully chosen, each with a role to play, until the quarry had blossomed into a self-sustaining ecosystem.

A Living Legacy

Today, Haller Park is more than a restored landscape – it’s a lesson in resilience and a living classroom of conservation.

Here, you’ll find crocodiles sunning by the ponds, tilapia darting through the water, and a rich variety of plant species, from baobabs to resilient palms, standing testament to one man’s dream and a community’s support.

How Much does it cost to visit Haller Park?

Location: Situated on the Mombasa – Malindi Highway, at Bamburi.

Opening Hours: Open Daily from 0900hrs to 1800hrs.

Entry fee:

• Citizens: Ksh500 for adults, Ksh200 for kids.

• Residents: Ksh1400 for adults, Ksh600 for kids.

• Non-Residents: $20 for adults, $15 for kids.

Find Inspiration from Haller Park’s Conservation Story

Visiting Haller Park isn’t just a trip; it’s a chance to witness conservation in action.

If you’re in Mombasa, walk the trails, explore the restaurant, and try dishes that support the park’s ecosystem – Bamburi tilapia, crocodile steak, and more.

Beyond that, take Haller Park’s story as inspiration to make small changes for the environment, wherever you are.

Plant a tree, nurture your green spaces, and be part of the legacy proving that even wastelands can bloom.

Quick explanation why Mombasa hard hit by flooding

Mombasa County in Kenya has been grappling with the devastating effects of floods triggered by persistent heavy rainfall over the past three days. Submerged homes, displaced residents, and impassable roads are just a few of the disruptions caused by the relentless downpour.

In a recent statement, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki revealed that the nationwide death toll from flood-related incidents has reached 60, with 10 of these fatalities occurring since Friday in Mombasa, Tana River, Kwale, and Kilifi counties.

While addressing the media in the aftermath of the flooding, Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir dismissed claims attributing the disaster to an inadequate drainage system. He asserted that the flooding resulted from the construction of entire villages on waterways, leaving no room for water to escape during heavy rainfall.

Despite the governor’s explanation, it is crucial to acknowledge that flood levels are gradually subsiding.

The question remains, why is Mombasa experiencing such severe flooding?

Coastal cities are particularly vulnerable to flooding due to several factors. One prominent factor is the rising sea level, a direct consequence of climate change.

A publication by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, titled “Sea-Level Rise and Global Climate Change,” explains that melting ice caps and glaciers add water to the oceans, leading to an increase in sea levels.

This phenomenon makes coastal areas more susceptible to flooding during high tides or storm events.

The report further highlights that the vulnerability of coastal areas to sea-level rise varies depending on the physical characteristics of the coastline, the population size and level of development, and the effectiveness of land-use and infrastructure planning at the local level.

As Governor Nassir alluded to, urban development planning also plays a significant role in the occurrence of floods.

Buildings erected along the ocean’s outlets obstruct its natural flow, leading to an insufficient drainage system and impermeable surfaces like pavement.

Furthermore, some coastal areas have experienced subsidence, the gradual sinking of land due to human activities such as poor disposal of minerals. This process blocks water paths, making the areas more prone to flooding.

Environmentalist Ronald Bulimu emphasizes that addressing the challenges faced by coastal regions will require a combination of sustainable urban planning involving all stakeholders and well-maintained infrastructure.

He attributes the issues in Mombasa to poor urban planning and the lack of renovation of the drainage system, which was originally constructed by the Arabs. He urges government officials to prioritize these factors.

While natural causes like climate change cannot be entirely avoided, the consequences of human actions can be mitigated through proactive measures. Coastal regions must prioritize sustainable urban planning and infrastructure maintenance to protect their communities from the devastating effects of floods.

Two foreigners lose Sh132m at a hotel in Shanzu, Mombasa

On September 13, 2023, two foreigners lost Sh132m at a hotel in Shanzu, Mombasa. The two men, from different nationalities, were in Mombasa for a training session. They left their hotel room locked in the evening to go swimming, but when they returned, they found the lock broken and their safe box missing.

The safe box contained traveling documents, including passports, and $900,000 (Sh132m). Other items stolen included a camera, two mobile phones, and two laptops.

The two men reported the incident to the hotel management and the Bamburi Police Station. CCTV footage showed two men breaking into the room, taking the items, and leaving. The hotel management declined to give further information on what happened, but the Kisauni sub-county OCPD confirmed that the matter is under investigation.

Dead banker’s family demand fresh inquest into his death

The family of Oscar Owino, a 35-year-old man who was found dead at his apartment, is calling on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate his death further, as they suspect foul play.

The family’s letter to the DCI, which was addressed to Mr. Mohamed Amin, the Director of the DCI, expressed their dissatisfaction with the way the Nyali police had handled the case. They also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Owino’s death.

The family said that they had tried to speak to the last person seen with Owino, his colleague Pheny Kisasati, but that they had found her statements to be inconsistent. They also said that no person of interest had yet provided a statement to the police.

The family outlined several specific concerns that they had about the investigation. These included:

  • The postmortem report, which they said was inconsistent with the injuries that Owino sustained in the alleged fall.
  • The conflicting accounts of the events leading up to Owino’s death.
  • The inconsistent statements made by Kisasati.

The family said that they were “apprehensive” about the way the investigation was being handled and that they believed that a fresh probe was needed. They called on the DCI to “take urgent action” and to “ensure that justice is served” for Owino.