
Kinondo Sacred forest with visit to the Giraffe and Zebra sanctuary
You'll visit Kaya Kinondo sacred forest and Bora Bora Wildlife Park on this half-day tour. The trip combines ancient Digo traditions with wildlife encounters while supporting conservation efforts. Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest Your trip starts with a 45-minute drive from Diani Beach through Kenyan countryside. Kaya Kinondo is the primary sacred forest for the Digo Mijikenda Community. This ethnic group has lived on Kenya's South Coast for over 600 years. The Digo people created Kaya Kinondo as a fortified settlement 600 years ago when they arrived at the Kenyan coast. The 30-acre sacred grove stands as one of Kenya's most significant coastal landmarks. It represents the spiritual heart of the Digo community and their connection to the land. The forest connects to other sacred sites including Kaya Diani, Kaya Likunda, Kaya Muhaka, Kaya Tiwi, Kaya Waa, and Kaya Ganzoni. Each site preserves Mijikenda cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge. Your Kaya Kinondo Forest Experience You'll spend 1.5 hours walking through the forest with local Digo guides. They share traditional medicine knowledge, spiritual practices, and the relationship between forest and community. You walk across tangled roots and ancient coral while guides point out medicinal plants. You may participate in traditional rituals for transmitting fears and seeking blessings. You must follow cultural protocols when entering Kaya Kinondo. These include appropriate dress codes, respectful behavior, speaking quietly, no photography in certain areas, and showing reverence for natural flora. These guidelines preserve the forest's sacred nature while allowing cultural exchange. Giraffe and Zebra Sanctuary After the forest visit, you'll go to Bora Bora Wildlife Park. This is the largest animal sanctuary and eco-camp in the Diani area, located 450 meters from the Indian Ocean. The conservation-focused sanctuary maintains the same commitment to environmental protection and education. You'll feed and interact with gentle Maasai giraffes in a safe, controlled environment. Visitors consistently highlight giraffe feeding as a tour highlight. Zebras also approach closely for interaction. The park design allows meaningful animal encounters while prioritizing animal welfare and visitor safety. What Makes This Tour Special Cultural Authenticity : Experience genuine Digo traditions and spiritual practices in their original setting with community member guides who live these traditions daily. Biodiversity : Explore two ecosystems—the ancient sacred forest with 1000-year-old trees and endemic species, and the wildlife sanctuary with African fauna. Conservation Education : Learn how traditional conservation practices and modern wildlife protection work together to preserve Kenya's natural heritage. Interactive Learning : Move beyond observation to engage directly with cultural traditions and wildlife through hands-on experiences. Community Support : Your visit directly supports Digo community cultural preservation and wildlife conservation.