The Tana River is Kenya 's largest river. Its source far to the east of the delta in the Aberdare Mountains and the craggy snow covered peaks of Mount Kenya . Having traveled over 1000 kilometers, the river meanders across a flood plain on the northern edges of the conservation project. The main river is clad in stretches of thick riverine forest with fig and palm trees which sweep across the surface of the river and interspersed with lush grass paddies and sleepy Pokomo and Orma villages. Explorable by boat trips from the lodge these deep forests are hot spots of nature teaming with interesting birdlife and often shelter buffalo, elephant, hippo and Nile crocodile as well as a host of smaller, shyer antelope and primates.

The Pokomo and Orma are the two main tribes. They have very different backgrounds and cultures and both are very hospitable welcoming prior arranged visits to their humble abodes.

The Pokomo people are the majority tribe in the region and their lives revolve around the river and its flooding cycles which irrigate their fields and nurture the mango trees that shade their villages.

The Orma are Ethiopian by origin and are traditionally pastoralists moving their beehive shaped dwellings across the floodplains wherever the grass for grazing takes them.