Witu Forest Reserve
Witu Forest Reserve – Kenya
Witu forest reserve is majestically a green nature and one of Kenya’s nature forest reserve that inhabits lots of diverse species which can be explored by the tourists on their Kenya forest walk safaris. The reserve is located in Lamu district of Kenya East Africa, covering an area of about 11,463 acres ‘’46.39’’square kilometers, formed with a combination of two forests Utwani and Gongoni forests, the reserve acts as highlight of elephant migrating route between Kipini conservancy and Dodori national reserve.
The reserve is renowned as a home for endangered plant species such as Europhobia Tanaensis which are reported to be more than 20 mature plants in the forest noted by IUCN 2009 report. Moreover, it inhabits numerous species of birds and this is because the reserve is bordered by the Pangani swamp to the northeast, settlement area in the south west, Nairobi ranch in the south east and extends towards Mujanjini forest.
In general, Witu forest reserve was documented in 1927 and finally gazette in the year of 1962 and more hectares of land were added to the forest reserve in 2002, there after came up other organizations to protect the reserve such as David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust who had come to work hand in hand with ‘’KFS’’ Kenya forest service in order to protect the forest from human encroachment, preventing them to use its resources as well as protecting its remarkable biodiversity.
Travelers who tend to visit this reserve engage in the forest walk experience, where they can be able to encounter variety of forest species as they hike through its attractive trails, lots of wildlife can be seen such as primates, come across large herds of elephants passing through the reserve and much more like lesser kudu, hartebeest, giraffes, gerenuk, gazelle, buffalos among others.
The importance of this forest reserve is to inhabits various nature species such as wide range of different plant species which are highly endangered and other plants which are used by the locals to heal several kinds of diseases as traditional herbs.
Apart from exploring this nature forest, tourists can go visit beautiful community nearby and learn about their interesting culture, note that Africa as a country is gifted with different groups of people with their unique culture.
Tourists who visits the reserves can as well engage in wilderness experience of viewing beautiful bird species such as Blue –headed bee-eater, brown-chested alethe ,brown-throated wattle-eater ,Cassin’s honeybird ,chestnut wattle-eye ,crowned eagle, green Hylia,grey-green bush-shrike, joyful greenbul ,black-crowned waxbill, black-billed turaco, African goshawk, African broadbill, African blue flycatcher,yellowbill,yellow-billed barbet ,white-browed crombec ,white-breasted negrofinch ,turner’s eremomela ,shrike-flycatcher ,wildlife and plant species and notable butterflies.
What to carry with you?
In order to enjoy your safari at Witu forest reserve, you’re advised to carry useful essentials like hat, enough mineral water, hiking boots, pair of binoculars, sunglass, camera with enough batteries.
Best Time to Visit
The reserve can be visited throughout the year but the best time to enjoy the forest walk is in drier seasons when the rain forest is out of water source and slippery.
Accessibility
Witu forest reserve can be easily accessed by road from Nairobi capital to Lamu which takes about 5hour to reach the main destination.
Where to stay on Visit
Travelers shouldn’t get worried from where to stay on your visit to Witu forest reserve though the reserve does not have accommodations, but you can sleep to nearby comfortable accommodation facilities that suits your safe stay here such lodges include Rondo retreat, Forest Creek Lodge and Spa, Kumbali Country lodge, Fairmount zimbali lodge, Serenity forest eco reserve, Jalsa beach hotel and Spa and Kekoorok lodge among others. Book now and get to enjoy African scenery of landscape in the heart of Kenya.
