The station has nine permanent staff members who offer hospitality to local and international guests. They help facilitate research and training activities as well as communication/networking with the local community. Research assistants are available upon request from the office of the station (with a daily fee 2,500 ksh).
Research Officer
Mr. Mwadime Mjomba
Caretaker
Mr. Granton Righa
Research assistant
Mr. Darius Kimuzi
Research assistant
Mr. Peter Mwasi
Guard
Mr. Elphinstone Kalaghe
Guard
Mr. Julius Mwamburi
Technician/Driver
Mr. Kennedy Muhia Gicheru
Research station premises are located in a verdant environment within a walking distance from Wundanyi town. The accommodation rooms are divided into three price categories based on their standard and amenities. Class 1 rooms are located in a newly constructed three-story building completed in 2023. All class 1 rooms have their own bathrooms, showers, and balconies. Class 2 rooms are situated in the station’s older buildings but have been recently renovated. Class 3 rooms offer more basic amenities and a simpler standard of accommodation. Class 2 and 3 rooms have typically shared bathrooms. All rooms are available for single, double or triple use. All beds are equipped with mosquito nets.
The prices below are for half board / full board. Full board includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner served at the station’s dining room, while half board includes breakfast and dinner. All prices are in Kenian shillings (Ksh) for one person per one night (note! not per room).
Class 1 rooms: 4,000/4,500 Ksh
Class 2 rooms: 3,500/4,000 Ksh
Class 3 rooms: 3,000/3,500 Ksh
Kenyan citizens receive a 500-shilling discount on all accommodation rates.
Free wi-fi: available at the station for the visitors.
Laundry service: available at an extra cost of 1000 Ksh per session.
Sauna: The station has a Finnish sauna and a terrace with a mountain view for cooling. Sauna is available upon request at 1000 Ksh per person per session.
Library: A small library in the office of the station has books, booklets, and copies of PhD dissertations and Master's theses mostly focusing on the Taita Hills and Africa in general. These can be borrowed by the guests to be used at the station for research and learning.
Other premises: The roof terrace at the top of the new building can be used for organizing seminars and meetings. The space is equipped with a projector and features a magnificent view, large fireplace, and a wood-fired pizza oven as special highlights. Additionally, the dining hall at the basement of the building can be transformed into a meeting/seminar room. The station has also two smaller terraces that are ideal for small group meetings, briefings, or for resting. Storage rooms are available for temporary storage of luggage, research equipment, and materials.
The research station provides transport services with its fleet of vehicles, primarily for local travel and research-related purposes within Taita Taveta County. However, airport transfers are also available for guests traveling to and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Mombasa Airport.
Mileage Charges
The following mileage rates apply to all transport services:
Additionally, three mountain bikes are available for rent at the research station.
Fuel costs are included in all mileage charges.
Driver Fees
Driver services are available at a rate of 3,000 Ksh per day. A half-day rate (50% of the full-day fee) applies if the driver returns to the research station (or Nairobi) before 8:00 p.m. and an overnight stay is not required.
Accommodation costs for the driver are not included in the fee. If an overnight stay is needed, accommodation expenses will be charged separately based on actual costs, or the customer may arrange accommodation for the driver.
Bookings
All vehicle and driver bookings must be arranged and paid for through the Taita Research Station office.
Taita Research Station has two research assistants available upon request through the station's office.
The service fee is 2,500 Ksh per day, but University of Helsinki researchers receive a 50% discount, reducing the fee to 1,250 Ksh per day. If research assistants are required to work during the night, an additional night duty allowance of 1,000 Ksh will be charged.
Please note that availability cannot be guaranteed, especially during busy periods.