About
Hola is the administrative headquarters of Tana River County in Kenya, set on the banks of the Tana River, the longest river in the country. The town lies in the semi-arid eastern part of Kenya, where the green line of the river stands out against drier land around it.
What the visit offers
Hola works best as a base rather than a destination in its own right. From here, visitors can head out to explore the riverine forests and the wildlife of the Tana River ecosystem, which differ noticeably from the open savannah landscapes many travellers associate with Kenya. The river itself is the focus of much of the area's life, and the town makes a practical starting point for any journey along its banks.
Culture and river life
The area is home to the Pokomo and Orma communities, and a stay here gives an opportunity to learn about their traditional ways of life. Visitors who are interested in how people live alongside a river in a dry region will find the setting rewarding.
River-based activities are a natural part of a visit. Time on the water lets you see the riverbank from a different angle and gives a sense of how central the Tana is to the surrounding land and its people.
Planning a trip
- Treat Hola as a base for exploring the river and its surrounding forests and wildlife.
- Allow time for both the natural landscape and the cultural life of the Pokomo and Orma.
- Expect a semi-arid setting, with the river as the main source of green and life.