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Savannah Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems

A renowned savannah ecosystem hosting diverse wildlife including the Great Migration.

463,933
km² Savannah Area
15
Counties Covered
300
Protected Areas
28,185
Elephant Population

Savannah Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystem (SASAE)

Kenya's largest conservation landscape and the main range for many migratory and wide-ranging species.

Data source: WRTI biodiversity database, Savannah ecosystem statistics.

What This Ecosystem Represents

The Savannah Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystem (SASAE) is Kenya's largest ecosystem, covering approximately 463,933 km² across 15 counties. It combines arid and semi-arid rangelands, open grasslands, acacia woodland, protected areas, and community-managed conservancies. Its conservation value depends on connected habitats rather than isolated parks alone.

Key Characteristics:
  • Climate: Arid to semi-arid with bimodal long and short rains
  • Vegetation: Grasslands, thorny bushland, and scattered acacia woodlands
  • Wildlife: High diversity of large mammals, birds, and reptiles
  • Conservation: Multiple protected areas including national parks, reserves, and conservancies
  • Communities: Pastoral communities including Maasai, Samburu, and Turkana peoples

Data Snapshot

463,933
km² ecosystem extent
15
counties covered
300
protected area records
14
national parks
11
national reserves
28,185
elephant population
Snapshot values summarize the current Savannah ecosystem statistics record. See the tabbed sections below for detailed parks, reserves, conservancies, species, IUCN, threats, and research data.

Climate Profile

Annual rainfall
400-800mm
Temperature range
15-30°C
Rainfall pattern
Bimodal - Long and short rains
20-32°C
dry season temp.
350-700mm
wet season rainfall

Why It Matters

  • It contains Kenya's largest connected dryland wildlife habitats, including migratory elephant, zebra, antelope, and carnivore ranges.
  • Conservation outcomes depend on coordination between state protected areas, counties, private land, and community conservancies.
  • Climate variability, water availability, land-use change, and human-wildlife conflict should be tracked together, not as separate issues.

Explore the Data

Parks
National park records and locations
Species Status
Census, IUCN and national conservation status
Threats
Threat analysis and risk context
Ecosystem Coverage Map

The map below shows the geographic extent of the Savannah Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystem across Kenya, highlighting major protected areas and conservation sites.

Map Layers