Taita-Taveta County
Taita Hills
Source: Nature Kenya (East Africa Natural History Society) (opens in a new tab) · checked 1 Nov 2026
About Taita Hills
Forested hills in south-eastern Kenya that form the northern part of the Eastern Arc Mountains: isolated forest fragments, like forest islands, home to birds and animals found nowhere else.
Source: Nature Kenya (East Africa Natural History Society) (opens in a new tab) · checked 1 Nov 2026
Highlights
- The Taita thrush and Taita apalis, birds found only here
- Endemic frogs, a snake, caecilians and the Taita dwarf shrew
- Forest fragments including Ngangao, Mbololo, Chawia and Vuria
Source: Nature Kenya (East Africa Natural History Society) (opens in a new tab) · checked 1 Nov 2026
Suggested time
At least 1 day
KenyaPlus editorial guidance for a comfortable visit, not an official rule.
Confirm before booking
- Access to the forest fragments and whether you need a guide or permit
- Where to stay — KenyaPlus holds no accommodation details
- Road conditions up into the hills, especially in the rains
KenyaPlus does not yet hold verified data for these.
When to go
Rain affects travel in Kenya, especially on unpaved roads. Here is the yearly pattern and the current forecast for Taita Hills, both from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
- January: between the rains.
- February: between the rains.
- March: long rains.
- April: long rains, expected peak.
- May: long rains.
- June: between the rains.
- July: between the rains.
- August: between the rains.
- September: between the rains.
- October: short rains.
- November: short rains.
- December: short rains.
- Long rains
- Short rains
- Between the rains
- Expected peak (2026 outlook)
A summary of Kenya's national rainfall pattern from the Kenya Meteorological Department: long rains March to May (with the peak in April inland and May on the coast, as KMD expected for 2026) and short rains October to December. Other months are shown as between the rains. Rain varies by year and place, and between-the-rains months can still be wet.
Forecast: October–December 2026
For Taita-Taveta County, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains starting in the 3rd to 4th week of October and continuing into January.
Source: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
A seasonal forecast, not a guarantee. KMD also issues monthly and weekly updates.
Kenya's rainy seasons
March to May is the main rainfall season — the “long rains” — over most parts of Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2026 season (KMD/FCST/01-2026/SO/01) (opens in a new tab); Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2025 season (KMD/FCST/01-2025/SO/01) (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
For the 2026 long rains, the Kenya Meteorological Department expected the peak in April over most regions, and in May along the coast.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
October to December brings the “short rains”, a major rainfall season in Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
More in our guide: Best time to visit Kenya.
Where next from Taita Hills
Close by
Photo: Byrdyak · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Tsavo Eastabout 1½ h by road (estimate)
Photo: Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Mombasaabout 2½ h by road (estimate)
Photo: Sho Hatakeyama · CC0 · original
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Chyulu Hills National Parkabout 3 h by road (estimate)
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If you like Taita Hills
Photo: Mutisya Maingi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Shimba Hills National ReserveAlso good for wildlife, hiking
Photo: Bett Duncan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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NaivashaAlso good for hiking, wildlife
Photo: Galkey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Mount KenyaAlso good for hiking, wildlife
Thinking of visiting Taita Hills?
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Sources
- Nature Kenya (East Africa Natural History Society) (opens in a new tab) — KBAs in Focus — Taita Hills Forests (5 Aug 2024) (checked 1 Nov 2026)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us — we check corrections against the source before changing anything.