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The Tana River is Kenya 's largest river. Having traveled over 1000 kilometers from its source in the Aberdares, the river meanders across the Tana Delta flood plains. This inland delta has been cut by the Tana River changing course back and forth across its flood plain. Barricaded behind a rampart of sand dunes blocking the river's direct path to the Indian Ocean the resulting Lower Tana Delta Wetlands is a conservation area of 50,000 hectares to safeguard this unique ecosystem.
The main river is clad in stretches of thick riverine forest with fig and palm trees which sweep across the surface of the river and interspersed with lush grass paddies and sleepy villages. Explorable by boat trips, these deep forests are hot spots of nature teaming with interesting birdlife and often shelter buffalo, elephant, hippo and Nile crocodile as well as a host of smaller, shyer antelope and primates. A maze of tidal creeks and mangrove swamps, salt marshes and mud flats encircle islands of Dhoum palm forest, bush covered dunes and grassland.
Seeing is believing as the curve of sand, flanked by majestic sand dunes on one side and the surf of the Indian Ocean on the other, stretches as far as the eye can see and is yours to wander. The sea is warm and the surf roles across a gently slopping beach so you can choose the size of wave you wish to tackle.
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