Rising dramatically above the plains, the Taita Hills are made up of three main massifs: Sagalla, Mbololo, and Dawida. Classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and a global conservation priority site, these ancient forests are a vital refuge for endangered and range-restricted bird species found nowhere else on Earth
The Taita Hills are very old mountains that geologically form the northernmost part of a series of isolated ancient mountains that extend from Eastern Tanzania to southeast Kenya. These mountains were formed by a process of repeated uplifts and faults millions of years ago, causing the rising of the central plateau, also known as the Kenya/Tanzania Highlands. The forests in these mountains have existed for over 20 million years. The Taita Hills Forest is classified as an important bird area due to the presence of bird species with restricted ranges and globally endangered species. The hills are ranked among global conservation priority sites for birds and plants.
The Taita hills comprise three main massifs: Sagalla, Mbololo, and Dawida with the latter two only separated by a steep valley at 900m. Sagalla is quite far from the rest, separated by a long stretch of lowland plains and the Voi River. Dawida is composed of several forest fragments larger than 50 hectares and about seven other small patches. Surprisingly these fragments continue to support incredibly rich biodiversity
Mbololo Forest is the largest of all covering an area of 220 hectares, forming a narrow and long stretch on the hillcrest at 1,799 meters. Mbololo has the best preserved and richest flora and flora and is the most important stronghold of the endemic Taita thrush. It is also famed for three plant species and a snake species endemic to this forest. Ngangao Forest is the second largest. It covers an area of 147 hectares at an altitude of 1,952 meters at the peak. Ngangao forest is located 20 minutes drive from Wundanyi town, about 120 hectares are covered with indigenous forest while the rest is a plantation and rock outcrop, The forest is particularly special in that it hosts good populations of all the Taita Hills endemics birds, Taita Thrush, Taita Apalis, and Taita White Eyes as well as many other endemic taxa. Ngangao forest is the most visited by Birdwatchers
Ngangao forest also has huge and tall trees, especially Newtonian which are believed to be the hugest in the entire Taita Hills and have acquired the title of “Mother of –all-trees”
Reptiles of Taita Hills
The Taita Hills have 65 reptiles (34 snakes, 28 lizards, 1 terrapin, and 2 tortoises) and 26 amphibian species (24 frogs and 2 caecilians)
Taita Hills forest is one of the most exciting bird-watching sites in Kenya, because of its unique, endemic, rare, and beautiful bird species. Notable Birds in Taita Hills birding tour include; Taita Apalis, Taita Thrush, Taita White-eye
Other interesting bird species to see in Taita Hills are Stripe-cheeked Greenbul, Taita Falcon, Grasshopper Buzzard, Madagascar Bee-eater, Lemon Dove, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Orange Ground Thrush, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Evergreen Forest Warbler, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Yellowbill, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Brown-breasted Barbet, and Black-cheeked Waxbill.
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Amboseli National Park offers some of East Africa’s most iconic scenery, where arid lakebeds and golden savannas contrast sharply with lush, spring-fed wetlands. This remarkable ecological diversity makes the park a premier destination for world-class birdwatching and close-up wildlife encounters—all set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Ruma National Park is a hidden birding gem for nature lovers, birdwatchers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a rich diversity of species and some of Kenya’s most picturesque scenery. This delightful birding hotspot boasts a sensational mix of habitats, making it one of the country’s finest birding destinations. It is the best place to spot the rare Montane Blue Swallow and the iconic Roan Antelope, alongside a wide variety of other species in Kenya. Thanks to its mild climate and natural landscapes, birdwatching in Ruma is productive throughout the year. For an even more rewarding experience, an adventure to Ruma National Park can be successfully combined with nearby birding treasures such as Lake Victoria, Busia Grasslands, Mount Elgon, Kongelai Escarpment, and Kakamega Forest, forming part of Kenya’s western birding circuit.
