Birding Sites in Kilifi County
Dakatcha Woodland: Home to the Sokoke Scops Owl
Though fragmented and small, Dakatcha Woodland is a remnant of the Guinean-Congo rainforest, playing a critical role as a watershed for the rivers and streams. 3 km2 in area, Dakacha Woodland, 20 km west of Marafa, consists of a series of dry forests, dense thickets with open woodlands. After the rains, the leaves are intensely bright green, and seldom-seen flowers, such as Cyrtanthus lilies with large, pink-orange flowers and tall yellow Eulophia ground orchids blossom.
To the south it is bordered by Sabaki River. The area is largely concealed by red sand forming hills rising to over 700 feet with thick forest cover and harboring indigenous trees some rising over 35 metres. Dakacha is known for its rare birds and for photographing the golden-rumped Sengi and Clarke’s weaver. The golden-rumped sengi are insectivorous animals who prey on earthworms, millipedes, bettles and termites by using their long nose to probe the leaf litter.
It also holds sizeable populations of Sokoke Pipit. Africa’s smallest owl, the Sokoke Scops Owl occurs only in three places in the world – one of them being a 10 x 4 km patch of forest in the key biodiversity area. The wetlands now protected by the reserve are known to provide nesting habitat for the rare Clarke’s Weaver, and shelters other threatened birds, earning it recognition an an Important Bird Area.
After opposition from Nature Kenya, to convert 10,000 hectares of Dakatcha Woodland to grow the bio-fuel crop ‘Jatropha curcas’, the National Environment Management Authority officially rejected a proposal . Dakatcha Woodland is a critical forest for the conservation of 13 IUCN Red Listed species. It is currently being cleared for charcoal and agriculture at an alarming rate. A Rocha Kenya is purchasing land to create a Nature Reserve and safeguard this indigenous forest.
Birding in Kenya offers enthusiasts and nature lovers a chance to observe diverse bird species in stunning natural settings. Whether exploring the forests, wetlands, savannas, mountains, or coastal areas, birders can experience the thrill of spotting variegated, rare and endemic birds while contributing to their conservation.
Index of Birding Sites in Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Bogoria Reserve, Lake Baringo Reserve, Bomet County - Trans Mara Forest, Bungoma County - Mount Elgon National Park, Busia County - Sio Siteki Swamp, Samia Hills, Embu County - Mwea National Reserve, Homa Bay County - Mbasa Islands, Kajiado County - Lake Magadi, Kakamega County - Kakamega National Reserve, Isecheno Nature Reserve, Kericho County - Chagaik Arboretum, Kiambu County - Kereita Forest, Kilifi County - Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, Mida Creek, Falconry of Kenya, Sabaki River Delta, Dakatcha Woodland, Kisii County - Nyangweta Forest, Kisumu County - Kisumu Bird Sanctuary, Ndere Island National Park, Kitui County - Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve, Laikipia County - Mukogodo Forest, Lamu County - Lake Kenyatta, Meru County - Nyambene Forest Reserve, Narok County - Ewaso Narok Wetland, Nairobi County - Raptor Rehabilitation Trust Kenya, Nakuru County - Nakuru Owl Center, Crater Lake Camp, Lake Elementaita, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nyandarua County - Sharpe's Longclaw Nature Reserve, Nyeri County - Wajee Nature Camp, Siaya County - Yala Swamp, Dominion Farm Bird Sanctuary
Touring Kilifi County offers a delightful blend of coastal beauty, lovely beaches, cultural richness, natural wonders, and fascinating ancient ruins. Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, historical sites, or vibrant cultural experiences – or a combination, Kilifi promises a memorable and enriching travel experience.
Your Are Here: Dakatcha Woodland
Where to Next
Explore Places Nearby Dakatcha Woodland
A Guide to Kilifi County
A Summa Digest of Kilifi
About Kilifi Way Back When
95 Destinations in Kilifi County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shimo la Tewa Prison, Mtwapa Creek, Mtwapa Ruins, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant, Jumba la Mtwana, Kikambala Beach, Vipingo Mosque Ruins, Kinuni Ruins, Kuruwitu Conservancy, Neem Tree House, Vipingo Ridge, Chasimba Cave, Kilifi Sisal Plantations, Vuma Cliffs, Old Town Takaungu, Takaungu Creek, Kitoka Ruins, Takaungu House, Beneath the Baobab Festival, Kilifi Creek, Kilifi Bridge, Kilifi Boatyard, Distant Relatives Lodge, Mnarani Ruins, Mnarani Snake Park, 3 Degrees South, Kamili House, Mazingira Park, Bofa Beach, Saltys Kitesurfing Bar & Restaurant, Bush Baby Kilifi, Casa Dalton, Panga ya Saidi Cave, River Rare Geo Park, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Mwangea Hills Forest, Watamu Marine National Park, Uyombo Ruins, Rock & Sea Resort, Mida Creek, Sudi Island, Kirepwe Ruins, Watamu Beach, Ocean Sports Watamu, Medina Palms, Hemimways Watamu, A Rocha Eco Lodge & Conservation Centre, Watamu Treehouse, Garoda Beach, Tribe Watersports, Kite House, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Kiburugeni Ruins, Mgangani Ruins, Mida Creek Nature Camp, Gede Ruins, Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Malindi Museum, Henry the Navigator Monument, Malindi Pier, Malindi Pillar Tomb, Malindi Waterfront Park, Portuguese Chapel, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Beach, Ndoro Sculpture Garden, White Elephant Sea & Art Lodge, Malindi Crocodile & Snake Farm, Malindi Marine National Park, Malaika Beach Sunbeds & Restaurant, Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions, Lo Sfizio Coffee Shop, Lennox Art Gallery, Falconry of Kenya, Hanging Gardens, Malindi Golf & Country Club, River Sabaki Delta, Marafa Depression, Dakacha Woodland, Mekatilili wa Menza Site, Mambrui Dunes, Mambrui, Mambrui Tombs, Kibirakani Ruins, Che Shale Hotel Kitesurf Center, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, The Nyika Plateau, Galana Conservancy, Ngala Mausoleum, Rabai Museum, Kaya Kambe Shrine, Thomas Wakefield Memorial Church
Know More About Kilifi County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.05?
Kilifi can be split into three zones – the narrow coastal plain, varying in width from 3 kms to 20 km; few coastal hills lying below 30 ms asl, and the Nyika Plateau rising from 100ms to 340 ms asl.
What’s The Air Like In Kilifi?
For the greater part of the year, the climate along the coastal plain is pleasurable, though humid. Temperature ranges between 21C and 30C along the coast, and between 30C and 34C further inland.
