Kenya
Giant Forest Hog, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni, Aberdare National Park
I’ve been to Kenya twice. For a week in 2011, and in 1.5 weeks in 2021.
Aberdare National Park
Giant Forest Hogs, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
In 2011 I spent a night at the Ark Lodge and another night camping in the park. We saw lots of Giant Forest Hogs, Buffalo, Elephants, Bushbuck, Warthogs, Olive Baboons, Guerza Colobus, Reedbuck, three duiker species (Bush, Kivu and Harvey’s/Natal Red) and a Savannah Hare. Probably the most unusual sighting was a pack of Wild Dogs in the moorland.
African Wild Dog, Lycaon pictus
At the Ark I saw some of the above including the hogs, plus Ochre Bush Squirrels, Suni, East African Giant Pouched Rat, Small-eared Galagos, Spotted Hyenas and a Blotched Genet.
In 2021 I returned for a full day in the park and saw some of these species again, together with East African (King) Root Rat and a Typical Zebra Mouse.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest National Park & Malindi
Golden-rumped Elephant-Shrew, Rhynchocyon chrysopygus
A night here in 2011 produced fabulous Golden-rumped Elephant Shrews, Zanj Sun Squirrel, Red-bellied Coast Squirrels, Blue Monkeys and Yellow Baboons and Northern Greater Galagos.
Heart-nosed Bat, Cardioderma cor
In two caves near by we saw Heart-nosed Bats, African Sheath-tailed Bats and Egyptian Rousette Fruit Bats.
African Trident Bats, Trianeops afer
In 2021 I visited Makahuru cave near Watamu, and saw two undescribed Bentwing Bats (Clade 5 & Clade 2), African Trident Bats, Hildegarde’s Tomb Bat,s Sundevall’s Roundleaf Bats (Clade 5) and more African Sheathtail Bats. There were Straw-coloured Fruit Bats over Malindi Airport at dusk.
Diani Beach & Shimoni
Kenya Dwarf Coastal Galago, Paragalago cocos
During a night at Diani Beach in 2021 I saw Kenyan Dwarf Coastal Galagos and Small-eared Greater Galagos, Blue Monkeys and Suni. In two bat caves close to Shimoni, an hour south of Diani Beach, we saw both Giant and Commerson’s Leaf-nosed Bats, Hildegarde’s Tomb Bats, Least Bentwing Bats and Egyptian Fruit Bats.
Lake Naivasha
Eloquent Horsehoe Bat, Rhinolophus eloquens. Soysambu Conservancy.
A few hours in two bat caves near Lake Naivasha in 2021 produced Persian Trident Bat, Mahgreb Leaf-nosed Bat, Eloquent and Lander’s Horseshoe Bats., two undescribed Bentwing Bats (Clades 7 and 8) and Egyptian Slit-faced Bats. In park and conservancy land near the caves we saw Impala,
Grant’s Gazelle, Thomson’s Gazelle, Plains Zebra and Giraffe.
Masai Mara
Cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus
Over two nights in 2021 we saw 31 species here: Southern Tree Hyrax, Elephant, African Grass Rat, Thick-tailed Greater Galago, Olive Baboon, Vervet, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Common Genet, Spotted Hyaena, Marsh Mongoose, Common Dwarf Mongoose, Banded Mongoose and Black-backed Jackal.
COVID test, safari style.
Along with Plains Zebra, Common Warthog, Hippopotamus, African Buffalo, Common Eland, Bushbuck, Impala, Steenbok, Grant’s Gazelle, Thomson’s Gazelle, Cavendish’s Dik-dik, Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Topi, Common Wildebeest and Masai Giraffe.
Meru National Park
Naked Mole Rat, Heterocephalus glaber
Two nights here in 2021 produced African Elephant, Naked Mole Rat, Unstriped Ground Squirrel, Somali Grass Rat, Olive Baboon, Vervet, Voi Shrew, Yellow-winged Bat, Lion, Black-backed Jackal and Somali Dwarf Mongoose.
Somali Dwarf Mongoose, Helogale hirtula
We also saw Plains Zebra, African Buffalo, Lesser Kudu, Impala, Gerenuk, Bright’s Gazelle,Waterbuck and Giraffe.
Mount Suswa Conservancy
Harrison’s Large-eared Giant Mastiff Bats, Otomops harrisoni
I visited here in 2021 to see the huge colony of spectacular Harrison’s Large-eared Giant Mastiff Bats. There were Rock Hyraxes at the cave entrance too.
Nairobi National Park
White Rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum
I spent an afternoon herein 2011, and saw Striped Ground Squirrel,Thomson’s Gazelle, White Rhinos, Eland, Masai Giraffe, Olive Baboons and Warthogs along with many Buffalo, Red Hartebeest, Plains Zebra, Grant’s Gazelle and Impala. We also saw an Ochre Bush Squirrel, a couple of Kirk’s Dikdiks and a Slender Mongoose.
Nanyuki
Crested Rat, Lophiomys imhausi
I spent a night at the Trout Tree Restaurant in 2021 and saw my target Crested Rat, along with Southern Tree Hyraxes, Blue Monkeys and Guerza Colobus.
Samburu National Park
Grevy’s Zebra, Equus grevyi, Samburu National Park
24 hours herein 2011 found Beisa Oryx, Elephant, Impala. Gerenuks, Kirk’s and Guenther’s Dikdiks.
Guenther’s Dik-dik, Madoqua guentheri, and its longer snout.
Along with Bright’s Gazelles, Giraffes, Waterbucks, Grevy’s Zebra, Vervet Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Dwarf Mongoose, Common Genet, White-tailed Mongoose, Civet, Unstriped Ground Squirrels, Savannah Hare and a Slender Mongoose
Tana River Primate Reserve
Tana River Mangabey, Cercocebus galeritus
A night herein 2011 produced Hinde’s Dik Dik, Mauritian Tomb Bats, Tana River Crested Mangabeys, Tana River Red Colobus Monkeys, Blue Monkeys ,Yellow Baboons and a Natal Red (Harvey’s) Duiker.
Tsavo East National Park
During two days in 2021 we saw Elephant, Unstriped Ground Squirrel, Yellow Baboon, Vervet, Yellow-winged Bat, Sundevall’s Roundleaf Bat (Clade 3), Egyptian Slit-faced Bat, Lion and Black-backed Jackal.
Black-backed Jackal, Lupulella mesomelas
We also had both Grevy’s and Plains Zebras, Desert Warthog, Impala, Gerenuk, Peters’s Gazelle, Thomson’s Gazelle, Waterbuck, Beisa Oryx, Hartebeest, Hirola, Hippos and Masai Giraffe.
Hirola, Beatragus hunteri
Community Reports
Kenya & Tanzania, 2024: William Henri Lewis, 6 nights & 53 species in Kenya including Red-tailed Monkey, Striped Hyena, and melanistic Leopard.
Kenya, 2024: Jane Kempler, 3 weeks & 92 species including Maned Rat, Rufous Sengi, Naked Mole-rat and Black-fronted Duiker.
Kenya & Uganda, 2024: Zhou Fangyi, 11 days & 48 species including Serval, Spotted-necked Otter and Black-fronted Duiker.
Laikipia, Samburu & Amboseli, 2023: Royle Safaris, 2 weeks & 60+ species including Grevy’s Zebra, Gunther’s Dik-dik and Zorilla.
Kenya, 2023: Dave Griswold’s series of reports covering a single Kenya trip with sections on i) Nairobi National Park ii) the Aberdares area; iii) Samburu; iv) Lake Nakuru; v) Lake Baringo & Kakamega.vi) Masai Mara.
Kenya, 2023: Zarek Cockar, 16 days & 102 species including Rufous Sengi, Grey-bellied Pygmy Mouse, Striped Hyena, Egyptian Mongoose, Hirola and Black-fronted Duiker.
Northern Masai Mara, 2023: Ralf Bürglin, 2 weeks & 36 species including Black and White Rhinos and a Marsh Mongoose on an interesting trip that gave participants hands on experience of conservation work instead of a traditional safari.
Kenya, 2022: Ben Chapple’s 10 month mega – no make that MEGA – report including Aardvark, Naked Mole Rat, Maned Rat, Harrison’s Giant Mastiff Bat, Caracal, Aardwolf, Zorilla, Weyns’s Duiker and 147 other species!
Gatamaoiyu Reserve and the Masai Mara – Cat Roundup, 2022: Chris D’s report of multiple cat trips and missing Golden Cat and Serval in Kenya.
Mara West & Golden Cat search, 2022: Royle Safaris, 10 days & 50 species including Serval, Maned Rat, Montane Climbing Mouse and an undescribed Red-legged Sun Squirrel.
Tanzania & Kenya Bovids, 2022: Marcus Burkhardt, 2 weeks with species including Serval and Suni.
Kenya, 2022: Matt & Maureen Steer, 2 weeks & 75 species including Golden-rumped Giant Sengi, Black & Red Giant Sengi, Maned Rat, Naked Mole Rat and Bushy-tailed Mongoose.
Kenya, 2021/22: Jan Ebr, 25 days & 84 species including Naked Molerat, Hammer-headed Fruit Bat, De Brazza’s Monkey and Weyn’s Duiker.
Kenya 2021: Jon Hall, 1.5 weeks & 84+ species including Maned Rat, Naked Mole Rat, Hirola, Somali Dwarf Mongoose and Harrison’s Giant Mastiff Bat.
Big Mammal Day, 2021: Zarek Cocker’s report of a massive 24 hours in Southern Kenya with 66 species including Zorilla, Serval and Red-tailed Monkey.
Kenya, October 2021: Andreas Jonsson, 12 days & 58 species including Hirola, Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew and Kenya Coastal Galago.
Kenya Rare Mammals, November 2021: Martin Royle, 8 days & 100 species including Naked Mole Rat, Tana River Mangabey and Serval.
Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya, 2021: Pictus Safaris, 30 days & 81 species including Ader’s Duiker, Maned Rat and Kipunji.
Kenya 2021: Venkat Sankar, 3 weeks and 126 (that is not a typo!) species including Naked Mole-rat, Sokoke Dog Mongoose, Maned Rat, Caracal, Striped Hyena, melanistic Serval, and Harrison’s Giant Mastiff Bat. Awesome report.
Kenya, 2021: Samuel Marlin, 3 weeks & 59 species including Hirola, Striped Hyena, Civet, Somali Dwarf Mongoose and Red-tailed Monkey.
Kenya, 2021: Alex Meyer, 10 days & 79 species including Hirola, Desert Warthog, Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, Striped Leafnosed Bat and Kenya Coastal Galago.
Kenya, 2019: Samuel Marlin, 8 days & 44 species including Serval, Gerenuk and Desert Warthog.
Masai Mara & Samburu, 2019: Greg Easton, 1 week & 38 species including Grevy’s Zebra and Kirk’s & Gunther’s Dik Diks.
Kenya, 2019: Alan Dahl, 2 weeks & 47 species including Gerenuk, Southern Tree Hyrax and Yellow-winged Bat.
Hell’s Gate National Park & Sokoke Forest, 2016: Zachary Harris’s account of a few days in these lesser-visited parks, with 20 species including Suni and Golden-rumped Elephant Shrews.
Kenya, 2016: Samuel Marlin, 12 days & 52 species including Hirola, Desert Warthog, Giant Forest Hog, Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew and Lesser Cane Rat.
Kenya, 2016: Steve Morgan, 2 weeks and 64 species, including Aardvark, Caracal, Zorilla, Striped Hyena and Hirola.
Laikipia, Kenya, 2016: Mattia Altieri, 9 days & 34 species including Zorilla, Leopard, Wild Dogs and White-tailed Mongoose.
Kenya, 2015: Royle Safaris, 19 days & 70 species including Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, Desert Warthog, African Groove-toothed Rat, Kenyan Coastal Dwarf Galago and Hirola.
Kenya & Tanzania, 2013: Venkat Sankar, 2 weeks & 76 species including Red-tailed Monkey, East African Mole Rat, Serval, Bushy-tailed and Marsh Mongooses.
Kenya, 2013: Dominque Brugiere, 10 days with species including Hirola, Desert Warthog,Tana River Mangabey, Black-fronted Duiker and Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew.
Kenya, 2013: Bob Berghaier, 9 days & 48 species including Cane Rat, Marsh Mongoose, Wild Dogs and a Serval.
Kenya, 2013: Indri Tours, 12 days & 35 species including Yellow spotted Hyrax, Serval and Caracal.
Kenya & Tanzania, 2013: Indri Tours, 17 days & 51 species including 3 Honey Badgers, Striped Hyena and Caracal.
Kenya, 2012: Coke Smith, 10 days & 42 species including Desert Warthogs and Greater (Marsh) Cane Rat.
Kenya, 2011: Jon Hall, 1 week & 56 species including Giant Forest Hog, Wild Dogs, Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew and Tana River Mangabeys and Red Colobus.
Tanzania & Kenya, 2011: Indri Tours, 2 weeks & 48 species including Yellow-winged Bat, Giant Forest Hog, Grevy’s Zebra and Gerenuk.
Nairobi National Park, 2008: Bob Berghaier, some brief notes.
Don Roberson’s trip reports for trips to Kenya, Gabon, Uganda and South-West Africa (South Africa, Namibia and the Okavango).
Kenya, 2005: Richard Webb, 2 weeks & 50 mammals including a Giant Forest Hog.
Also See
Requesting pictures of ‘Side-striped’ Jackals from Mount Elgon, October 2024
Northeast Kenya Antelope Survey, March 2024
Where to see Rock and Bush Hyrax in Kenya? June 2023
Where to stay between Nairobi and Samburu? June 2023
Kenya in May/June? Feb 2022
Help with rodent IDs, March 2021
RFI Guides in Arabuko Soroke, February 2021
Striped Weasels on the Western Cape (and Kenya), August 2020
Crested Rat (sometimes seen at Sirkio lodge… look at the comments), August 15
Kenya’s Loima Hills – including Patas Monkeys and Guenther’s Dik Dik but no Desert Warthogs.
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