Exploring Haller State Park

Haller State Park, a wildlife sanctuary in Mombasa, Kenya, is smack-dab in the middle of the Kenyan rainforest. The park, inlaid with lush greenery and dirt trails, features spacious enclosures where viewers can see animals like crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and more. Additionally, monkeys and turtles freely roam the park. There are also tons of activities where visitors can connect directly with the wildife, like feeding giraffes and watching crocodiles, hippo and rhino feedings.

Rated #3 on TripAdvisor for things to do in Mombasa, this park was a must-visit for my friends and I on our second day in Kenya. Getting up close and personal with the animals, and learning all about Kenyan wildlife in the most intimate way is an experience I won’t soon forget.

Butterfly Breeding at Haller State Park

While wandering Haller, I stumbled upon a small shack outside the Butterfly Pavilion. Curious, I head inside, and that’s where I meet Elphas, a soft-spoken, passionate Kenyan.

I learn that Elphas is the head butterfly caretaker at Haller, and he tells me all about what his work in butterfly breeding entails.

A video component about Elphas and his work can be found on my YouTube channel, sam nordstrom. It will be linked here, however if it doesn’t link properly due to poor ship internet, find my channel in my socials linked on the top and bottom of the page, or search “sam nordstrom” into the YouTube search bar. I will ensure this video is available on the post as soon as I have adequate internet.

Environmental portrait of Elphas, showing me the containers where he feeds and raises the caterpillars on January 27, 2023 in Mombasa, Kenya.