Taita Hills

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The Taita Hills, sometimes also written as Teita Hills, are a precambrian mountain range in the south-west of Kenya. They have an altitude up to 2.208 m asl. They are known for their moist forests with an unique fauna and flora. More than 20 endemic species of African violets (e.g. Saintpaulia teitensis) occur exclusively in that region and known endemic bird species are the Taita Thrush (Turdus helleri) and the Taita Apalis (Apalis fascigularis). The Taita Falcon (Falco fasciinucha) and the Taita Fiscal (Lanius dorsalis) were first discovered at the hills but occurred elsewhere too. Also an amphibian genus Boulengerula occurs only at the Taita Hills. The native Taita people are living at the edge of the forests and develop the soil which is very productive. The region was severely logged in the past and the remained indigenous forest is now part of a nature reserve.