Eburu Forest

Kenya

The Great Rift Valley Safari

The Eburu Forest comprises 8,715.3 hectares of prime indigenous forest area contained within the steep hills, deep valleys and rolling foothills of Mount Eburu.

Overlooking Lake Naivasha to the south east, Lake Elementaita to the North and Lake Nakuru to the North West, the Mau Eburu forest is nestled within the folds of a geologically active volcanic mountain, whose highest peak, Ol Doinyo Eburu, stands 2,820 metres above sea level.

The forest is fully demarcated with formal title held by the Kenya Forest Service. It is one of the 22 gazetted forest blocks that comprise the Mau Forests Complex water tower.

Traditional bee-hives are allowed within the forest and are tended to by the marginalised Ogiek people.  Numbering around 30,000 people, the Ogiek are some of Africa’s last remaining forest dwellers. Traditionally honey-gatherers, they survived mainly on wild fruits and roots, game hunting and beekeeping. Having inhabited the Mau Forest for many centuries, their unique way of life is closely tied to its rich biodiversity and natural resources. We are proud to support these people through the purchasing of their honey for use at Loldia House.

Guests staying at Loldia House can explore the forest on a game drive and guided walk through the forest. This can be booked with the Loldia Manager at the house. There is a small entrance fee that guests wanting to visit the forest must pay.

The Forest

A precious mountain forest ecosystem the natural features of Eburu forest, include its diverse forest types, steep valleys, springs and waterfalls and make it a precious ecosystem, rich in biodiversity. The forest features a broad variety of indigenous tree species, such as Prunus africana (African cherry) and Juniperus procera (African pencil cedar), among others. The forest is recognized as a hotspot for birdlife within the greater Mau Forest Complex. It is home to over 40 species of mammals, including the critically endangered mountain bongo antelope, of which about 12 animals, representing 10% of its population known to exist in the wild, are thought to survive in this forest.

The endangered Bongo

The Bongo is a large antelope weighing up to 700 pounds, perfectly camouflaged with a red coat in the case of females, and dark red to almost black in the case of bulls. They normally have between ten to thirteen white vertical stripes that helps them blend into their bamboo habitat. They are browsers and feed on leaves and other forest foliage. Unfortunately their natural habitats are retiring and the Bongo Surveillance Project (supported by Rhino Ark) is a community wildlife conservation initiative which seeks to protect the precious few bongo that remain in Eburu, giving them a fighting chance to survive in their home.