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© Isaac Kilusu

Taita Hills Forest Fragments

-3.37088 , 38.34241

Kenya

The Taita Hills are an important bird area and bird endemic area with the endemic Taita white-eye, apalis and thrush, other near endemic birds are usambara double-collared sunbird and striped-faced greenbul. The habitat here comprises of steep hills, forest fragments and cultivation. The Ngangao forest section is most visited by bird watchers because the 3 endemics are easily seen there. These mountain ranges are located in Taita-Taveta County in south-eastern Kenya. The hills consist of three massifs: Dawida, Sagalla in the southern side of Voi township and Kasigau in the south near the border of Tanzania. The Dawida massif is the largest and tallest of the three, with an altitude of 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Vuria. Dabida has three other main peaks: Iyale, Wesu, and wesu where the Ngangao forest is located.

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The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : -3.3709/38.3424 (2022-12-14 12:24:23 )

Site name was changed by Isaac Kilusu into "Taita Hills Forest Fragments " (2022-07-08 06:30:22 )

Coordinates were set by Isaac Kilusu : -2.2142/38.3464 (2022-07-08 06:08:58 )

Site name was set by Isaac Kilusu as "Taita Hills" (2022-07-08 06:08:58 )

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-12-04 12:22:04
The Taita Hills are an important bird area and bird endemic area with the endemic Taita white-eye, apalis and thrush, other near endemic birds are usambara double-collared sunbird and striped-faced greenbul. The habitat here comprises of steep hills, forest fragments and cultivation. The Ngangao forest section are mostly visited is most visited by bird watchers because the 3 endemics are easily seen there. These mountain ranges are located in Taita-Taveta County in south-eastern Kenya. The hills consist of three massifs: Dawida, Sagalla in the southern side of Voi township and Kasigau in the south near the border of Tanzania. The Dawida massif is the largest and tallest of the three, with an altitude of 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Vuria. Dabida has three other main peaks: Iyale, Wesu, and wesu where the Ngangao forest is located.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:51:26
The taita hills Taita Hills are an important bird area and bird endemic area with the endemic taita white eye,apalis Taita white-eye, apalis and thrush,other thrush, other near endemic birds are usambara double colared double-collared sunbird and striped faced greenbul.striped-faced greenbul. The habitat here comprises of steep hills,forest hills, forest fragments and cultivations.cultivation. The Ngangao forest section are mostly visited by bird watchers because the 3 endemics are easily seen there .These  mountain there. These mountain ranges are  located are located in the Taita-Taveta Taita-Taveta County in south-eastern Kenya. The hills consist of three massifs: Dawida, Sagalla in the southern side of Voi township and Kasigau in the south near the border of Tanzania. The Dawida massif is the largest and tallest of the three, with an altitude of 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Vuria. Dabida has three other main peaks: Iyale, Wesu, and wesu where the Ngangao forest is locatedlocated.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 07:05:07
The taita hills are an important bird atea area and bird endemic area with the endemic taita white eye,apalis and thrush,other near endemic birds are usambara double colared sunbird and striped faced greenbul.The habitat here comprises of steep hills,forest fragments and cultivations.The Ngangao forest section are mostly visited by bird watchers because the 3 endemics are easily seen there .These  mountain ranges are  located in the Taita-Taveta County in south-eastern Kenya. The hills consist of three massifs: Dawida, Sagalla in the southern side of Voi township and Kasigau in the south near the border of Tanzania. The Dawida massif is the largest and tallest of the three, with an altitude of 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Vuria. Dabida has three other main peaks: Iyale, Wesu, and wesu where the Ngangao forest is located
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 07:03:59
  Language Download PDF Watch Edit The Taita Hills are a The taita hills are an important bird atea and bird endemic area with the endemic taita white eye,apalis and thrush,other near endemic birds are usambara double colared sunbird and striped faced greenbul.The habitat here comprises of steep hills,forest fragments and cultivations.The Ngangao forest section are mostly visited by bird watchers because the 3 endemics are easily seen there .These  mountain range ranges are  located in the Taita-Taveta County in south-eastern Kenya. The hills consist of three massifs: Dawida, Sagalla in the southern side of Voi township and Kasigau in the south near the border of Tanzania. The Dawida massif is the largest and tallest of the three, with an altitude of 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Vuria. Dabida has three other main peaks: Iyale, Wesu, and wesu where the Ngangao forest is located
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 06:58:54
  Language Download PDF Watch Edit The Taita Hills are a mountain range located in the Taita-Taveta County in south-eastern Kenya. The hills consist of three massifs: Dawida, Sagalla in the southern side of Voi township and Kasigau in the south near the border of Tanzania. The Dawida massif is the largest and tallest of the three, with an altitude of 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Vuria. Dabida has three other main peaks: Iyale, Wesu, and wesu where the Ngangao forest is located
  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Rameron Pigeon (Columba arquatrix)
Lemon Dove (Aplopelia larvata)
Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus)
Ayres's Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus ayresii)
Black Goshawk (Accipiter melanoleucus)
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill (Bycanistes brevis)
Tropical Boubou (Laniarius major)
White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis)
White-bellied Tit (Melaniparus albiventris)
Bar-throated Apalis (Apalis thoracica)
Taita Apalis (Apalis fuscigularis)
Evergreen-forest Warbler (Bradypterus lopezi)
Stripe-cheeked Greenbul (Arizelocichla milanjensis)
Cabanis's Greenbul (Phyllastrephus cabanisi)
Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler (Phylloscopus ruficapilla)
Taita White-eye (Zosterops silvanus)
Sharpe's Starling (Pholia sharpii)
Abbott's Starling (Arizelopsar femoralis)
Orange Ground-Thrush (Geokichla gurneyi)
Taita Thrush (Turdus helleri)
Pale Flycatcher (Agricola pallidus)
African Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus)
Usambara Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris usambaricus)
African Golden-Weaver (Ploceus subaureus)
Striped Pipit (Anthus lineiventris)

Sharpe's Starling (Pholia sharpii) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:35:32)

Abbott's Starling (Arizelopsar femoralis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:35:15)

White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:34:54)

African Golden-Weaver (Ploceus subaureus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:34:15)

White-bellied Tit (Melaniparus albiventris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:33:53)

Black Goshawk (Accipiter melanoleucus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:33:11)

Ayres's Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus ayresii) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:32:46)

Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:32:27)

Ethiopian Boubou (Laniarius aethiopicus) was deleted by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:31:49)

Orange Ground-Thrush (Geokichla gurneyi) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:31:18)

Tropical Boubou (Laniarius major) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:28:54)

Ethiopian Boubou (Laniarius aethiopicus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:28:09)

Pale Flycatcher (Agricola pallidus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:27:53)

Bar-throated Apalis (Apalis thoracica) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:27:00)

Evergreen-forest Warbler (Bradypterus lopezi) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:26:46)

Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler (Phylloscopus ruficapilla) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:26:33)

Silvery-cheeked Hornbill (Bycanistes brevis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:25:51)

Rameron Pigeon (Columba arquatrix) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:25:23)

Lemon Dove (Aplopelia larvata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:25:08)

African Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:24:49)

Cabanis's Greenbul (Phyllastrephus cabanisi) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:24:22)

Usambara Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris usambaricus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:23:54)

Striped Pipit (Anthus lineiventris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:23:31)

Stripe-cheeked Greenbul (Arizelocichla milanjensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:23:13)

Taita Thrush (Turdus helleri) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:22:20)

Taita White-eye (Zosterops silvanus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:22:04)

Taita Apalis (Apalis fuscigularis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2022-07-08 06:21:46)

  • Timing and strategy

The best time to bird here is from June to late February. Walking is recommended through the forest fragments, the best place to see all endemics is ngangao forest. Usambara double-collared sunbird is best seen at vuria hills though rare at iyale forest sections. The www.villageweaverbirding.com take a selection of birding tours here and across east africa. Isaac kilusu is an east african birder who can take you here, email him at isaackilusu45@gmail.com . Nathan mkombola is another local guide that you can hire from the office.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-12-04 12:22
The best time to bird here is from June to late February. Walking is recommended through the forest fragments, the best place to see all endemics is ngangao forest, usambara forest. Usambara double-collared sunbird is best seen at vuria hills though rare at iyale forest sections. The www.villageweaverbirding.com take a selection of birding tours here and across east africa. Isaac kilusu is an east african birder who can take you here, email him at isaackilusu45@gmail.com . Nathan mkombola is another local guide that you can hire from the office.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:52
The best time to bird here is from june June to late February February. Walking is recommended through the forest fragments,the fragments, the best place to see all endemics is ngangao forest, usambara double colared double-collared sunbird is best seen at vuria hills though rare at iyale forest sections.sections. The www.villageweaverbirding.com take a selection of birding tours here and across east africa. Isaac kilusu is an east african birder who can take you here,email here, email him at  isaackilusu45@gmail.com   .at isaackilusu45@gmail.com . Nathan mkombola is another local guide that you can hire from the officeoffice.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 06:48
The best time to bird here is from june to late February Walking is recommended through the forest fragments,the best place to see all endemics is ngangao forest, usambara double colared sunbird is best seen at vuria hills though rare at iyale forest sections.The www.villageweaverbirding.com take a selection of birding tours here and across east africa.Isaac kilusu is an east african birder who can take you here,email him at  isaackilusu45@gmail.com   .Nathan mkombola is another local guide that you can hire from the office
  • How to get there

If you are coming from taita road turn left at mwatate town and if you are coming from voi turn right at mwatate town and drive uphill through the snakey road enjoying views of kasigau and ngulia hills. Drive until you are past Taita Rocks hotel, you will see a 6km singnboard indicating the distance to Ngangao forest (note it can be longer) and drive straight then turn right at mgambonyi. From there you can ask the locals guide for directions or just drive straight to ngangao forest office.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:53
If you are coming from taita road turn left at mwatate town and if you are coming from voi turn right at mwatate town and drive uphill through the snakey road enjoying views of kasigau and ngulia hills,drive untill you hills. Drive until you are past taita rocks hotel Taita Rocks hotel, you will see a 6km singnboard indicating the distance to Ngangao forest(note forest (note it can be longer)and longer) and drive straight the then turn right at mgambonyi from mgambonyi. From there you will can ask the locals guide for directions or just drive straight to ngangao forest officeoffice.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 06:44
If you are coming from taita road turn left at mwatate town and if you are coming from voi turn right at mwatate town and drive uphill through the snakey road enjoying views of kasigau and ngulia hills,drive untill you are past taita rocks hotel you will see a 6km singnboard indicating the distance to Ngangao forest(note it can be longer)and drive straight the turn right at mgambonyi from there you will ask the locals guide for directions or just drive straight to ngangao forest office

Entry permits are paid at ngangao forest office. Guests are expected to pay the normal KfS fee and hire a local guide who may cost 10 usd per day.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-12-04 12:24
Entry permits are paid at ngangao forest office and the guests office. Guests are expected to pay the normal KfS fee and hire a local guide who may cost 10 usd per dayday.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 07:06
Entry permits are paid at ngangao forest office and the guests are expected to pay the normal KfS fee and hire a local guide who may cost 10 usd per day
  • Other attractions

Forest plantation, excellent views of Mount kilimanjaro, skull caves at iyale and vuria hills, african violets at vuria hills.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:54
forest Forest plantation, excellent views of kilimanjaro mountain,skul Mount kilimanjaro, skull caves at iyale and vuria hills, african violets at vuria hillshills.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 06:36
forest plantation, excellent views of kilimanjaro mountain,skul caves at iyale and vuria hills, african violets at vuria hills

Taita luxury hotel and Taita rocks hotel at wundanyi town offer bed and breakfast. There are camping sites at vuria hills, kasigau, and ngangao.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:56
Taita luxury hotel and Taita rocks hotel at wundanyi town they offer bed and breakfast. There are camping sites at vuria hills, kasigau, and ngangao.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:55
Taita luxury hotel and taita Taita rocks hotel at wundanyi town they offer bed and breakfast .breakfast. There are camping sites at vuria hills,kasigau,and ngangaohills, kasigau, and ngangao.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 06:39
Taita luxury hotel and taita rocks at wundanyi town they offer bed and breakfast breakfast .There are camping sites at vuria hills,kasigau,and ngangao
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 06:38
Taita luxury hotel and taita rocks at wundanyi town they offer bed and breakfast 

One of the best places that I have ever been on the coast, people are so friendly.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 10:56
One of the best places that i have I have ever been in on the coast,people coast, people are so friendly,friendly.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2022-07-08 06:37
the best places that i have ever been in the coast,people are so friendly,
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2024-12-03 to 2024-12-12 East_Coast Birding Trip James Apolloh
Taita Hills Forest Fragments - Orniverse