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imageimageimageimageimageDodori National Reserve
It is very unlikely that your trip includes a visit to Boni and Dodori, both located at the northernmost corner of Kenyan coast, next to the Somali border. Sadly, the reason is the unsafety conditions. The area is raided by Somali guerrillas and therefore the visit is strongly discouraged, especially to Boni.

Boni National Reserve is a 1,339sq. km forest reserve created as a sanctuary for elephants. Buffalo, giraffe, topi, gerenuk, Harvey's and Ader's Duikers are also found here. This Reserve do not have accommodation but could make interesting excursions for small groups of keen naturalists, if prior arrangements are made through the KWS. Dodori National Reserve was opened in 1976 to preserve a breeding ground for the East Lamu Topi, pelicans and with other local birdlife. Covering 877sq. kms with views of Dodori River and creek outlet with the densest most varied species of mangrove forest in Kenya.

Both reserves were gazetted in 1976 and belong to Lamu District, in the Coast Province. Boni lies right next to the Somali border, in the traditional dwelling region of the Boni hunter tribe, today reduced to a few hundreds of people. Dodori reserve is named after the river ending in the Indian Ocean at Dodori Creek, a breeding place for dugongs.

Dodori hosts a vegetal diversity mainly consisting of coastal and riverine forests, mangroves, swampy grasslands and savannah. Away from the rivers and channels, impenetrable thorn bush is scattered with gigantic baobabs. At the Dodori coastal area, waterholes are frequently visited by gazelles, antelopes and water birds.
Dodori's main wealth is its topi population, one of the largest in Kenya. Other mammals include elephants, gazelles, lesser kudus, zebras and lions. The channels are breeding grounds for the green turtles and the dugongs, severely endangered aquatic mammals which feed on the sea grasses.

Birdlife at Boni and Dodori has not been yet deeply researched. The wet areas attract large numbers of palearctic migratory birds. Pelicans and other water birds are frequent in the channels and waterholes, while prey birds also abound. Bird species recorded include Brown-Hooded Kingfisher, Violet-breasted Sunbird, European and Carmine Bee-eaters, Honey Buzzard, Palmnut Vulture, Southern Banded Harrier Eagle and Brown-breasted Barbet.

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