Kenya Wildlife Impala Park — Attraction in City of Kisumu

You cannot pay tickets with cash or card at the main gate; there is a QR code (and free WiFi) to buy tickets online with a debit/credit card, then you just show it at the gate and you’re good to go.

Unfortunately, that was the smoothest part of the visit.

Price: Over $20 for foreigners: which might be okay for a proper park experience, but this felt like a very poor and sad “zoo” setup rather than a sanctuary.

Positives: Zebras, impalas, and monkeys roam freely and are lovely to see.

Negatives: All the other animals are kept in extremely small, barren enclosures, often alone, with no enrichment and nowhere to hide and showed clear evidence of stress; either obsessive pacing, lethargy etc.

I.e. Lions were pacing repetitively in an enclosure roughly 20m x 15m or monkey alone in a 4m*4m cage.

What is happening at Impala park directly violates the Kenya Wildlife Service’s OWN legal and welfare framework:

Captive Wildlife Management & Welfare Policy Guidelines: Requires suitable enclosures, adequate space, veterinary care, conditions that allow natural behaviour, and minimal stress.

Wildlife Conservation & Management Act (2013): Mandates the protection, conservation, and humane treatment of wildlife, including those in captivity.

Conservancy & Sanctuary Regulations (2015): Sets minimum standards for sanctuary design, registration, and welfare monitoring: which this facility fails to meet.

This place has potential, but in its current state it does more harm than good. Until these conditions are brought up to legal and ethical standards, this facility should not be supported by visitors, and KWS should enforce its own regulations to protect...

My latest visit pretty similar to others. They have different animals in the cages than last time I was here but the staples like lions, leopard and baboons are there. Good to see the park trying to keep evolving and getting in new animals. It's rather small and more of a zoo than a park since most of the animals are caged. However, the zebras and impalas are free and always graze around the park. Sadly, the significant rise of the lake has eaten portions of the park close to the lake and some inside inside of the park are water logged but doesn't prevent you from getting around. The staff as always is very friendly and it's a great place to visit for the weekend or a weekday afternoon just to wind down and relax. It's very close to town and a motorcycle taxi or bicycle taxi can get you there for 50ksh or 30ksh...

Its a very great area to go have a picnic due to the vast green area with an abundance of seating areas for the visitors. The animal cages seem secure although it can be a bit scary if youre on aite at night as the canivores seem restless especially when they are hungry. The leopards den has a huge tree with a large branch hanging over the edge of the fence where you can take some thrilling photos. The hotel at the Impala Park is far from the gate and walking at night in the dark is not for the feint hearted. The pier woth a seating area is just magnificent. The staff are friendly and the food and drinks are in abundance. Its worth a visit although an addition to the wildlife would be a great bonus to the facility. NB: One of the best sunset...