很多人到了肯尼亚蒙巴萨(Mombasa)只顾着在沙滩躺平,却不知道距离市中心北边大约12公里的地方,藏着一个叫恩古尼自然保护区(Nguuni Nature Sanctuary)的宝藏地点。这里没有马赛马拉那种一望无际的压迫感,却多了一份海滨城市特有的松弛。作为班布里水泥厂(Bamburi Cement)生态修复工程的一部分,这片原本荒废的采石场旧址现在已经变成了罗氏长颈鹿、大羚羊和各类水鸟的乐土。如果你想找个地方安安静静看场日落,顺便和长颈鹿来个亲密接触,这里比内罗毕名声大噪的长颈鹿中心要清净得多。
恩古尼最吸引人的就是那群优雅的罗氏长颈鹿。这种长颈鹿因为腿部白色如同穿了长袜而极具辨识度。到了下午4点以后,管理员会提着桶出现,那是长颈鹿最活跃的时候。你可以从管理员手里接过树叶或者草料干粮,感受它们厚实且带点黏糊的舌头掠过手心的触感。这种互动非常直接,没有高高的围栏挡着,长颈鹿就站在你面前几厘米的地方,甚至能闻到它们身上淡淡的干草味。带小孩的朋友记得把干粮举高一点,不然这些贪吃的家伙可能会直接把头埋进你的袋子里。
除了长颈鹿,这里还生活着剑羚(Oryx)和水羚。你可能会在去往野餐区的路上撞见几只慢吞吞散步的大羚羊(Eland)。由于保护区面积大约只有1平方公里多一点,动物密度相对集中,步行或者慢速驱车都能轻松看到它们。这里的鸟类资源也相当丰富,湿地旁经常能看到织布鸟忙着筑巢。对于摄影爱好者来说,这里没有国家公园里那种必须待在车里的限制,找个角度拍一张长颈鹿与落日交织的剪影,画面感绝对够高级。
恩古尼的落日位在蒙巴萨圈子里很有名。保护区中心有一片平整的草坪,视野越过低洼的湿地,直接面向西方。很多当地人会在傍晚带上野餐篮和折叠椅,在草地上占个位置。没有那种商业化景点的嘈杂,只有风吹过树梢的沙沙声和偶尔传来的动物鸣叫。如果是周末,这里偶尔会有露营活动或者小型的户外聚会。建议出发前在市区超市买好饮料和零食,坐在草地上看天色从橘红变成紫罗兰色,那种宁静感是商业酒店的露天酒吧给不了的。
天色全黑之前,工作人员通常会帮忙点起几个篝火堆。蒙巴萨的夜晚虽然不像内陆那么冷,但伴着微微的海风,围在火堆旁聊天确实很有非洲丛林的感觉。这里的闭园时间通常在晚上6点半左右,如果参加了特定的活动或者预约了露营,还能体验到星空下的荒野寂静。虽然周围不远处就是居民区,但因为植被茂密,待在里面会有种与世隔绝的错觉。
去恩古尼千万别直接跟着某些旧地图的步行导航走,建议在蒙巴萨市区直接打个Uber或者Bolt。如果是从班布里海滩附近出发,车程大约20分钟。告诉司机去基姆贝尼路(Kiembeni Road)上的恩古尼大门。进园的路最后一段是土路,如果碰到雨季可能会有点颠簸。非肯尼亚居民的成年人门票目前大约在800到1000肯尼亚先令之间,最好提前准备好零钱或者确保手机里的M-Pesa余额充足,因为那边有时刷卡机信号不稳定。
别因为在海边就只穿短裙凉鞋。保护区里杂草比较多,偶尔会有带刺的灌木。建议穿长裤和运动鞋,不仅是为了走路方便,更关键的是防蚊虫。傍晚是蚊子最疯狂的时候,一定要带上高浓度的避蚊喷雾,不然看日落的代价可能就是满腿的包。另外,如果想拍出好看的照片,下午4点左右的光线是最柔和的,去早了阳光太烈,拍出来的长颈鹿脸部阴影太重。
目前绝大多数肯尼亚景点都在推广数字支付,建议优先使用M-Pesa。非居民成人票价约1000先令,儿童票减半,如果只有现金,建议在大门口找工作人员确认,有时他们会根据当天的网络情况灵活处理。
普通游客通常下午3点半左右进场,待到6点日落结束。全程大约两个半小时就能玩得很透彻。如果你是专业的观鸟者或摄影师,建议提早一点入园,抢占靠近水源地的机位。
里面没有那种正式的餐厅,只有基础的饮料摊位。如果你打算在这里待一下午,务必自带足够的水和食物。这里是一个非常纯粹的自然观察点,不是那种配套齐全的主题公园,这种原生态的感觉正是它的魅力所在。
GB Oh wow. Hidden gem of a place. 1000 shillings for foreigners and 400 for residents. Maybe a 20 minute walk to the picnic/viewing area with shaded huts to sit and watch. At first it was about 5 oryx antelopes that wandered out. Then the two guides got the herd of giraffes to appear. They were all very tame and comfortable eating around the viewing area. So many amazing photos. The giraffes have free range but the park is a few km wide so be patient with the guides as they round up the giraffes. 2 thumbs up!
CLAIRÉ.A. MURUNGA You want to be upclose with an ostrich or giraffes!? Then make a visit to the place. I knew giraffes are tall but to see them upclose with no boundary between us was breathtaking. God really took his time with his creation huh? Oooooh and Penny the Ostrich was super friendly & adorable, I love animals. She kept following us around.. The nature walk to reach the animals was also an adventure to die for, I had a good time being one with nature. PS: Request for a tour guide it makes it sooo easy for you to be upclose with the animals.
pauline wanjiku This not so small sanctuary is absolutely beautiful and amazing . The environment is quite blissful and tranquil...perfect for picnics, birthdays and outdoor events . The staff and tour guide were so professional and helpful. It's a must visit . I loved the giraffes and antelopes too.
Nyawz .V If you fancy being in close proximity to giraffes, ostriches and gemsboks without the presence of a barricade, then this is the place for you. Carry your own meals and have a picnic by the giraffes or at the sundowner site. Having a personal vehicle for commute through the sanctuary is advised due to the distance from the entrance to where the animals are. Outstanding views are nonetheless promised as you take that drive to the animals and rid yourself of the fear of these beautiful creatures; only then will you truly enjoy your experience. In summary, a beautiful picnic spot that is lacking in your bucket list🫵🏾 ~22 Aug 2023~
Tony Mwati It's a great place for a picnic,the giraffes and ostrich are very friendly. Only visit when you are looking for a place to chill and watch the sun go down. Remember to carry some snacks with you. The staff are very helpful and inviting.