Naivasha Raptor Centre: Kenya’s Most Important Bird of Prey Sanctuary

The Naivasha Raptor Centre, operated by the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust, is a rescue, rehabilitation, and release facility for eagles, vultures, hawks, falcons, owls, and other raptors that have been injured, orphaned, or otherwise compromised across Kenya. Though one of the lesser known areas, it is slowly turning out to be a popular place to visit in Naivasha.

It lies on the shores of Lake Naivasha, within the Kilimandege Sanctuary along South Lake Road, one of Kenya’s most important conservation organisations works quietly on behalf of animals that receive very little public attention: birds of prey. 

The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust was founded by Simon Thomsett, East Africa’s foremost bird of prey expert with over 50 years of experience, and Shiv Kapila, who manages the Naivasha centre. 

The trust operates two centres: the Naivasha Raptor Centre at Kilimandege Sanctuary, and the Soysambu Raptor Centre near Lake Elementaita. Together, they house the largest collection of permanent captive raptors outside of South Africa — over 60 birds in total.

The Conservation Crisis

Kenya is one of the raptor-richest countries in the world. Of approximately 330 known species of raptors globally, 83 are found in Kenya. But raptor populations are in serious decline. The three primary threats, according to Simon Thomsett, are power lines, poison, and people. Birds are electrocuted landing on power lines, poisoned when they consume carcasses laced with chemicals by farmers trying to deter lions from their livestock, and killed directly by communities that associate large raptors with threats to chickens and other poultry.

The consequences are severe. The Augur buzzard, once one of Kenya’s most common raptors, faces potential local extinction within a decade according to recent research. Six species of vultures in Kenya are now classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, including the Rüppell’s vulture, the Lappet-faced vulture, and the White-backed vulture. The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust is working to reverse these declines through rescue, rehabilitation, captive breeding, community education, and advocacy.

Visiting Naivasha Raptor Centre

The Naivasha Raptor Centre is open to visitors by appointment at 11am and 3pm daily. Visits are conducted by the centre’s staff, including director Shiv Kapila, who introduce visitors to the birds in their care and explain their stories: how they were injured, what treatment they received, and what their prognosis is. Critically endangered Rüppell’s vultures are housed at the centre in a dedicated enclosure; the centre is attempting to become the first facility to achieve captive breeding of this species.

The encounter with birds of this scale and power at close range is genuinely impressive. The wingspan of a Lappet-faced vulture is over two and a half metres. The Verreaux’s eagle, one of Africa’s most powerful raptors, is capable of hunting baboons. 

Meeting these animals face-to-face, understanding the threats they face and the work being done to protect them, is an experience that changes your understanding of the Kenyan ecosystem.