Crocodile farming in Kenya hasn’t fully gained acceptance but it is one of the most ingenious ways of raking in money. This is a crude business where you literally engage with death each day because crocodiles are normally wild. That’s why this trade is usually not for the faint-hearted.
Once ventured, crocodile farming has a very good financial potential but all that’s needed is confidence and great patience because this is not any business you can start this year and expect returns by December…its initial investment time goes from 5-8 years. When the crocodiles are finally due for the market, then you can reap absolute fruits of patience and perseverance.
Other things like their teeth, skull and skeleton can be sold to curio makers for some extra income. You can also turn your crocodile farm into a sanctuary and then levy gate fee or viewing fee. Generally, crocodile farming ranks top among the best business ventures which have the highest possible returns and since many Kenyans are embracing crocodile farming, our export value has increased impressively. South Africa has the highest export value of $79m, then Zambia $71m, Kenya $67m and finally Zimbabwe $36m.
Here is a list of major crocodile farms in Kenya today.
1. Kenya Crocodile Farm (Mamba Village; Mombasa)
This crocodile farm is located off Mombasa’s Links road in Nyali estate. The farm which was established in 1972 sits on 17 acres and accommodates more than 15,000 crocodiles in its spacious 25 ponds. Tourists flock here daily to watch these crocodiles at close range as they feed. Crocodiles here lay more than 16,000 eggs a year and the farm has its own hatchery where they sell hatchlings to other crocodile farms.
2.Nairobi Mamba Village
This Crocodile farm which spreads to 30acres is the home to more than 100 Nile crocodiles. It is a great location for picnics, private parties and even family outings. The crocodiles here are not killed for meat or skin; maybe if they die naturally. They are the major source of tourist, both local and international ones in this place.
3.Kazuri/London Crocodile Farm
Kazuri London crocodile farm is located near Malindi and they majorly capture, breed and sell Nile crocodiles. This farm combines a captive breeding programme with commercial ranching which is linked with conserving of the crocodiles. They produce skins which are for exported and their meat is locally sold or fed to the crocodiles.
4. Nile Crocodile Farm
Located in Kikambala in Kilifi, Nile crocodile farm is owned by Daniel Haller. Haller rears more than 20,000 crocodiles on his farm and slaughters more than 5000-6000 yearly. He sells crocodile meat both locally and internationally, crocodile skins, teeth, skull and even its skeleton. Nile Crocodile farm is one of the biggest in the region.
5. Galaxy Crocodile Farm
Galaxy crocodile ranch is located in Sagana in Kirinyaga county. It is a ranching kind of rearing. Thier main market is the local restaurants and hotels for the sale of the crocodile meat and then to locally sell the skins to local bag makers. Kazuri
6.Collins Mueke Crocodile Farm
Mueke’s crocodile farm is located in Kitui county and sits comfortably on a 300-acre piece of land. He is one of the biggest suppliers of croc meat in many restaurants of upmarket tourist hotels in Kenya and for import majorly to China. He slaughters 3000 crocodiles each year.
7. Baobab Crocodile Farms
Baobab Crocodile Farm in Mombasa exports over 5000 crocodile skins annually and sells the croc meat locally, a venture which rakes in for them more than $2m yearly. Baobab has 7 ponds where the crocodiles are housed
8. Mark East Brook Crocodile Farm
Mark Easter Brook crocodile farm is located in Casuarina, Malindi and is owned by Mark Easterbrook. It has around 8000 crocodiles which are majorly reared for meat and skin import.
9. LaFarge Ecosystem
This ecosystem was an effort by Bamburi cement company where they converted a barren landscape of limestone quarries into a vibrant and diverse ecosystem of forests, grasslands, parks, and ponds for both fish and crocodile rearing. Their crocodile park attracts over 16,000 visitors each year and is home to more than 3000 crocodiles.
10. Kirinyaga Crocodile Farm
Its Located in Makutano (after Sagana bridge from Nairobi) and it holds more than 12,000 crocodiles. The crocodiles here are mainly reared for their skin but some of the meat is sold to hotels and restaurants while the rest is fed on the other remaining crocodiles.
Other notable crocodile farms are
Malindi Crocodile And Snake Park
Haller Park
