Description
Castle Forest Lodge is located deep in the thick forest on the slopes to the south of Mount Kenya. It is set in a natural surrounding of rainforest and fresh water rivers with falls. About 175 species of birds have been identified that are partly specific for this altitude and forested areas.
The birding takes place by foot on a sand road. Some of the highlights: Crowned Eagle, Kikuyu White-eye, Black Sawwing, Abbott's Starling, And my favourite observation were the numerous Hunter's Cisticola, which have an amazing song.
Other birds you can observe in the area are Scaly Spurfowl, White-headed Barbet, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Red-fronted Parrot, Delegorgue's Pigeon, Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler, Hartlaub's Turaco, Waller's Starling and Purple-throated Cuckooshrike.
Details
Access
Castle Forest Lodge is accessible via road from Nairobi, approximately a 3-hour drive. Castle Forest Lodge is part of a National Park, and an admission fee is required and is about 52 USD. A stay in Castle lodge is highly recommendable, so you can have a tour through the forest on different times of the day. Since the environment is mainly tropical forest, lots of birds are identified by their song and therefore the services of a local birding guide are recommendable as well.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Valley , Canyon/cliff , MountainConditions
MountainousCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundRoute
Unpaved road , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Since Mount Kenya is on the southern hemisphere, near the equator, in het month of July it can be very cold (yes, truly!) and humid. So be prepared with warm clothes and hiking shoes.


