Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, a privately owned reserve bordering Tsavo West National Park, offers a striking blend of lush mountain landscapes and open plains teeming with wildlife. Part of the ancient Eastern Arc Mountain Range, Taita Hills ranks among Africa’s oldest mountain formations.

Once a vast rainforest 30 million years ago, shifting climates gradually transformed the lowlands into savannah 10 million years ago, isolating the mountain forests as ecological “islands.” This unique evolution has led to a remarkable diversity of endemic flora and fauna. Today, the Eastern Arc stands as one of the world’s top 20 biodiversity hotspots, making Taita Hills a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.

Activities in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

• Sleep in the elevated rooms of the Salt Lick Safari Lodge, and watch animals drink at nearby waterholes.
• Have a delicious lunch in the beautiful surroundings of Taita Hills Resort & Spa.
• Go bird watching and stand a chance to see endemic species like the Taita White-eye.

Species to encounter.

Beyond the typical wildlife, the 110-square-kilometer Taita Hills are a haven for rare and endemic species. Among Kenya’s most endangered birds, the Taita apalis and Taita thrush find refuge here, alongside unique creatures like the Taita blade-horned chameleon, purple-glossed snake, Taita falcon, and Southern banded snake-eagle. For those seeking larger wildlife, the hills also host elephants, lions, cheetahs, buffalos, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, and zebras.

Climate

Kenya has a cold season from June to November, with average temperatures of 20°C during the day. Nights can get cold during this season, so it’s best to take a sweater.

Mid-October to November is the short rainy season, after which temperatures rise up to 30°C during the day from December to April. April and May come with showers again as this is the long rainy season. It normally doesn’t rain throughout the day as one sees sunny mornings with rain clouds building up towards the afternoons and evenings.

The best time to visit Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

We recommend visiting Taita Hills between June and November and in February and March (the dry season).

How to get there

Taita Hills is a seven-hour drive from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. It’s best to combine it with a visit to Tsavo West National Park.