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© Mwangi Gitau

Karura Forest

-1.23852 , 36.82784

Kenya

Karura Forest is located north of Nairobi city, the forest covers an area of about 1000 hectares, and it is one of the urban forests found in Nairobi. The vegetation comprises both indigenous and introduced tree species. Karura Forest has more than 100 bird species recorded

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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 set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : -1.2385/36.8278 (2020-11-29 21:38:52 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Karura Forest" (2020-11-29 21:38:52 )

Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 13:59:36
Karura Forest is located north of Nairobi city, the forest covers an area of about 1000 hectares, and it is one of the urban forests found in Nairobi. The vegetation comprises both indigenous and introduced tree species. Karura Forest has more than 100 bird species recorded

  • 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)

White-backed Duck (Thalassornis leuconotus)
Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata)
Scaly Spurfowl (Pternistis squamatus)
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Hartlaub's Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi)
Red-chested Flufftail (Sarothrura rufa)
Malagasy Pond-Heron (Ardeola idae)
African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus)
African Goshawk (Accipiter tachiro)
Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina)
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus bilineatus)
Spot-flanked Barbet (Tricholaema lacrymosa)
Lesser Honeyguide (Indicator minor)
Brown-backed Woodpecker (Dendropicos obsoletus)
Highland Rush Warbler (Bradypterus centralis)
Slender-billed Greenbul (Stelgidillas gracilirostris)
Collared Sunbird (Hedydipna collaris)
Grosbeak Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons)
Purple Grenadier (Granatina ianthinogaster)

Slender-billed Greenbul (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:29:50)

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus bilineatus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:28:59)

Spot-flanked Barbet (Tricholaema lacrymosa) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:28:35)

Scaly Spurfowl (Pternistis squamatus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:27:57)

Highland Rush Warbler (Bradypterus centralis) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:27:21)

Lesser Honeyguide (Indicator minor) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:26:38)

Grosbeak Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:26:08)

Collared Sunbird (Hedydipna collaris) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:25:35)

Red-chested Flufftail (Sarothrura rufa) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:25:09)

Purple Grenadier (Granatina ianthinogaster) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:24:49)

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:23:58)

African Goshawk (Accipiter tachiro) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:23:17)

African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:22:50)

Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:22:08)

Hartlaub's Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:18:49)

Malagasy Pond-Heron (Ardeola idae) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:18:33)

White-backed Duck (Thalassornis leuconotus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:18:02)

Brown-backed Woodpecker (Dendropicos obsoletus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:17:43)

Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 14:17:16)

  • Timing and strategy

Birdwatching in Karura Forest is excellent during the whole year, a birding tour is normally done while walking in pristine nature trails. Being a forest bird sounds and calls are the most aiding factors when birding, so patience is required to see the shy and skulking bird species. 

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 Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 14:47
Birdwatching in Karura Forest is excellent during the whole year, a birding tour is normally done while walking in pristine nature trails. Being a forest bird sounds and calls are the most aiding factors when birding, so patience is required to see the shy and skulking bird species. 
Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 14:04
Birdwatching in Karura Forest is excellent during the whole year, a birding tour is normally done while walking in pristine nature trails. Being a forest bird sounds and calls are the most aiding factors when birding, so patience is required to see the shy and skulking bird species. 
  • How to get there

The forest is accessible by both private and public transport

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

Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 14:06
The forest is accessible by both private and public transport

Karura Forest has two entrances; Limuru Gate A and Gate C on Kiambu Road

The forest is managed by Kenya Forest Service in conjunction with Friends of Karura Forest and an entry fee is charged. Opening hours are 6 am and close at 7 pm in the evening

Kindly Note: Plastic water bottles are not allowed in the forest, carry the reusable water bottle

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 Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 14:11
Karura Forest has two entrances; Limuru Gate A and Gate C on Kiambu Road The forest is managed by Kenya Forest Service in conjunction with Friends of Karura Forest and an entry fee is charged. Opening hours are 6 am and close at 7 pm in the evening Kindly Note: Plastic water bottles are not allowed in the forest, carry the reusable water bottle
  • Other attractions

Karura Forest has a number of interesting mammal species which include, the Red Duiker, Suni, Black and White Colobus Monkey, Syke's Monkey, Lesser Bushbaby, Bushbuck, Porcupine, and Rock Python

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 Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 14:16
Karura Forest has a number of interesting mammal species which include, the Red Duiker, Suni, Black and White Colobus Monkey, Syke's Monkey, Lesser Bushbaby, Bushbuck, Porcupine, and Rock Python

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

Not available yet

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

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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