位于肯尼亚海岸线瓦塔穆(Watamu)的蛇类农场,官方名称叫作 Bio-Ken。这里并不是那种为了博眼球而存在的动物表演场,它是整个东非地区最重要的爬行动物研究中心之一。即便你平时对冷血动物感到恐惧,来到这里也会被那种专业的科学氛围所吸引。这里的核心使命是蛇咬伤的研究与救治,对于整个非洲野外医疗保障有着举足轻重的意义。
这家农场由著名的爬行动物专家詹姆斯艾什(James Ashe)在 1980 年创立。詹姆斯曾是内罗毕国家博物馆蛇园的负责人,他在瓦塔穆建立这个基地的初衷是为了更好地分类记录肯尼亚的蛇类资源。走进农场,你会发现这里的陈设非常朴实,没有花哨的装饰,但每一个玻璃箱后面都藏着珍贵的生物样本。虽然詹姆斯已经去世,但他的团队依然维持着高水平的运作,让这里成了全球蛇类爱好者和学者的朝圣地。
很多游客不知道,Bio-Ken 实际上承担着救命的任务。肯尼亚全境分布着大约 127 种蛇类,其中不乏致命毒蛇。这里建立了一套名为「非洲蛇咬伤研究所」的公益系统,专门为偏远地区的诊所提供抗蛇毒血清。一旦周边村民被毒蛇咬伤,农场的人员甚至会亲自出动进行急救处理。这种深入社区的科学实践,让这座农场在当地人心目中拥有极高的地位,不仅仅是一个旅游景点这么简单。
在 Bio-Ken 你能看到最完整的东非毒蛇图谱。黑曼巴(Black Mamba)绝对是全场焦点,这种以速度和剧毒闻名的蛇类在笼中展示出一种冷峻的气质。同样令人惊叹的是红喷毒眼镜蛇(Red Spitting Cobra),它们精准的喷射距离能达到两三米远。透过厚实的保护玻璃观察这些生灵,你会对自然界的演化产生全新的认知。除了毒蛇,这里还饲养着温顺的蟒蛇、变色龙以及各种奇异的蜥蜴,色彩斑斓的爬行类皮肤在阳光下闪烁着宝石般的光泽。
如果不听讲解,来这里只是看个热闹。农场的门票里通常已经包含了向导费用。这些讲解员对每一种蛇的习性、分布地以及遭遇后的自救方法了如指掌。他们会用极其平实的语言告诉你,为什么蛇类对生态系统至关重要。运气好的时候,你还能目睹向导演示如何安全地捕捉和转移毒蛇。那种屏息凝神的观察过程,远比在电视上看纪录片要震撼得多。
去农场游玩不需要提前预约,直接上门即可。目前非肯尼亚居民的成人门票价格大约在 1000 到 1500 肯尼亚先令之间,具体取决于当季的政策调整。建议大家选择在上午 10 点或者下午 3 点左右到达,避开正午最闷热的时段,因为那时候蛇类往往会躲在阴影里睡觉,活跃度不高。游览全程大约需要 1 到 1.5 小时,时间安排上非常灵活。
蛇类农场的位置离瓦塔穆著名的白色沙滩非常近,步行或者打个当地的小三轮车(Tuk-tuk)几分钟就能到。你可以把早上的时间留给浮潜或者去格迪古城(Gedi Ruins)探秘,下午天气转凉后再来农场看蛇。这里距离马林迪(Malindi)大约 20 公里,如果你住在马林迪,打车过来也只要半小时左右。这种动静结合的路线,能让你在感受肯尼亚海滨风情的同时,也带走一点实实在在的自然百科知识。
这里的安全措施做得非常到位,所有有毒物种都保存在加固的玻璃容器或深坑中,游客只需遵守规定不翻越围栏即可。向导全程陪同并提供安全指引,这里不仅适合成年人,也是当地学生进行课外科普教育的热门目的地。
普通游客携带手机或相机拍照通常是不额外收费的,但严禁使用强闪光灯直射蛇的眼睛,以免引起它们的应激反应。如果涉及到专业的商业摄影或纪录片拍摄,建议提前联系农场办公室确认费用和许可事宜。
农场主要侧重于爬行动物,除了蛇类之外,你还可以看到东非特有的变色龙、大型巨蜥、陆龟以及一些稀有的两栖类动物。这里就像是一个浓缩的爬行界微縮景观,种类密度远高于普通的野生动物园。
你支付的门票钱有很大一部分会投入到「非洲蛇咬伤研究所」的日常运营中。这包括了购买昂贵的抗蛇毒血清、资助贫困地区的蛇伤治疗以及开展公众科普教育。在这里消费,实际上也是在支持肯尼亚当地的野生动物保护与公共卫生事业。
Aadil Chacha We had an amazing time at the Bio-Ken Snake Farm in Watamu. It is well managed and the information shared on the website matches out. Our guide was very knowledgeable. He spent a lot of time telling us about the different species of snakes, tortoises and turtles. We missed the milking session but they gave us the option of coming back the following day with the same ticket.
Wandia Kimita I had an amazing time at the Bio-Ken Snake Farm in Watamu! This place is a must-visit for anyone interested in wildlife, conservation, or simply learning something new. The farm is home to over 300 snakes from more than 20 species, and the tour was both fun and highly informative. Our tour guide, Reuben, was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about snakes and their conservation. He took the time to debunk some common local myths about snakes, which was eye-opening. What really stood out to me were the farm’s conservation efforts and their work in educating locals about the importance of coexisting with snakes. They’re also doing incredible work in anti-venom development, with a dedicated research lab on-site. It’s inspiring to see their future plans to produce antivenom locally, which will be a game-changer for the community. Overall, this was a great experience that combined education, conservation, and fun. Highly recommend it to anyone visiting Watamu!
MK Recent updates have this place looking fantastic!! They have some amazing snakes - such a cool experience to take the tour w kids - they loved it..
Lívia Nagy We enjoyed our visit soo much! Our guide told us a lot of interesting facts about the snakes. You can even see the venom milking process! The snake farm plays an important role in saving local lives! Highly recommended!
Ismail Hassan I had one of the greatest experience as a snake enthusiast, Kyle Buster and Florian Finke not excluding Maria were a great team. Taking us through the different snake species, snake identification (Venomous from non-venomous) snake bites, how to avoid getting bitten, treatment and snake rescue. I would encourage anyone to visit Watamu Snake Farm and learn more about snakes.