Nature Walks & Birdwatching

Walking the reserve

Malu’s 1800-acre private reserve is one of East Africa’s original highland forests, and the last indigenous cedar forest of the eastern Rift Valley. There are beautiful walks in the cedar forest, up to the ridge and down to the streams and rivers of Malu, from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes.

Along the way you may meet bushbuck and dik-dik, see colobus monkeys in the trees, and find a rich variety of plants, birds and butterflies. Leopard, buffalo and zebra roam the reserve too. Children love swinging from the vines and exploring the streams.

Ten birds to look out for

These ten visually striking birds have a relatively high likelihood of being seen:

• Lilac-breasted roller, known for its vibrant plumage
• Malachite kingfisher, a small, colourful bird in stunning blue and orange
• Hartlaub’s turaco, green and red feathers and a unique crest
• Superb starling, iridescent blue and orange
• African fish eagle, the iconic African bird with a striking white head
• Blacksmith plover, contrasting black and white plumage, often near water
• Red-billed oxpecker, a bright red bill, found on large mammals
• Crowned hornbill, an imposing hornbill with a red and black bill
• Pied kingfisher, black and white, often hovering over water
• Scarlet-chested sunbird, a bright red chest, common in gardens and bushes

Five of them are in our Journal: Kenya’s feathered jewels.