Running west–east through the park, this lovely year-round river is green-shaded and surrounded for much of its path by doum palms. Along with Mzima Springs, the river provides aesthetic relief from the vast semi-arid habitats that dominate the park. The trees all along the river are known to shelter leopards.
South of the river, running down to the Ziwani and Maktau gates, the foliage is less dense with cheetah sightings a small possibility. This area has seen problems with poaching and the encroachment into the park by local herders – the further south you go, the less you're likely to see.
