Current view: Text account
Site description (2013 baseline):
Site location and context
Boni and Dodori forests are separated by a road and stretch about 100 km along the road from the boundary where the forest starts (Near Milimani) all the way to Kiunga.
The critically endangered Ader's Duiker ( this site is believed to be the most important site in Kenya for its conservation-which has almost disappeared in Arabuko-Sokoke); un-described Rhynchocyon sp, Boni-Dodori Sengi; Lion, Leopard, the rare Haggards Oribi, and coastal Topi. Other species recorded include Spotted hyena, Cape Buffalo, Common Hippopotamus, Suni, Waterbuck, Topi, Yellow Baboon, Gentle(Syke) Monkey,Vervet Monkey, Greater Galago, Aardvark, African Civet and Genet sp. The endagered Wild Dog and the endagered Hirola had ben recorded previouls prior to the 2013 survey. .
A total of 283 bird species have been recorded from more than 61 different families. This include five threatened and six-near-threatened bird species;27 Palaeactic Migrants , 24 Afro-tropical Migrants and 16 East African Coastal Biome species.Additionally, there are eleven Forest Specialists and 31 Forest generalists.
IUCN Red List species as at 2014. Endangered: Basra Reed Warbler. Vulnerable: Somali Ostrich, White-headed Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture and Martial Eagle. Near threatened: Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Bateleur, Crowned Eagle, Fischer's Turaco, Eurasian Roller and Plain-backed Sunbird.
The East African Coastal Biome species were also recorded as indicated in the other section of the database.
The main habitat types identified include: A mosaic of forest groves, grasslands, and Hyphaene palm savanna, sometimes flooded, on white or grey sand; Dry forest with a few tall trees and dense shrub under-story on white or grey sand; Dense thicket on red sands; Acacia woodland, coastal scrub, scattered baobabs and small seasonal wetlands on white sand; and Wetlands including pools in river channel.( Forest=much of it in form of a forest-grassland-woodland-thicket mosaic). Wetlands and sand dunes are available too.
The expansion of farming and vegetation farming -for planting of maize, cowpea, cassava. paw paw and mango trees.
The slash and burn method is increasing within the Boni-Dodori area.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
- Infrastructural developments because of the fight against militia from Somalia; Exploration for oil and gas along the coast; and proximity to the LAPSSET project.
- Expansion of farming and vegetation burning; the change from the traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture is leading to the clearing of substantial areas of the forest.
- Illegal logging and pit sawing is ongoing within the forest, and is believed to be on the increase due to influx of people from Kilifi and Tana River Counties.
- Overgrazing; the grassland habitats are heavily grazed and grasses in many areas are also burned as a means of controlling ticks.
- Poaching; the presence of snares is an indication of poaching though the species being poached and numbers have not been established.
Forest Reserves
National Reserves.
The Aweer Community Conservancy contain a few small settlements, farms and cleared areas. Recent fighting in Boni Forest may have altered the land use.
Administration of the Conservation Leadership Program (CLP) for funding the team, Dr Kimwele-University of Nairobi, Simon Musila- Mammalogy Section-NMK, Fleur Ngw'eno-Nature Kenya, David Ngala and Johnson Kafulo (Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Guides Association, Jasho Bomu, Francis Kagema, Mohamed Alale Abala, Abdul assan Murisa, Shizo Ali Mohammed and Hadja Gurumaa and Mohammed Maloo.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Boni and Dodori National Reserves (Kenya). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/boni-and-dodori-national-reserves-iba-kenya on 18/12/2024.
