The Taita Hills are a mountain range in Taita-Taveta District, southeastern Kenya. They are located at the northwestern edge of the Eastern Arc, a chain of mountains that stretches across eastern Tanzania and southern Kenya.
This region has many unique species because of its long biological isolation and stable climate, but it also has many vulnerable species due to habitat loss and human activity.
The hills are made up of three main massifs: Sagalla, located south of Voi; Kasigau, which lies south toward the Tanzanian border; and Dawida, the largest and highest of the three.
The highest point in Dawida is Wuria, which rises to 2,228 meters (7,310 feet) above sea level. Other notable peaks in Dawida include Iyale, Vesu, and Susu.
The Taita Hills rise sharply from the semi-arid plains of Tsavo West National Park, south and west of Voi. They are separated from other nearby mountain ranges.
The closest ranges are the Chyulu Hills and North Pares, about 70 kilometers away, and Mount Kilimanjaro, about 80 kilometers away.
The Western Usambara Mountains in Tanzania, which share many botanical similarities with the Taita Hills, are about 120 kilometers away.
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (THWS) is part of the Eastern Arc forests, which are recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. It is named after the nearby hill clusters and was established in 1970 to attract both wildlife and tourists, support conservation, and promote wildlife viewing.
The sanctuary borders the southern part of Tsavo West National Park and plays an important role as a wildlife dispersal area and migration corridor between Tsavo East and Tsavo West.
A seasonal river runs through the sanctuary, dividing it into valleys and lowland plains. The terrain is mostly mountainous, offering clear views of the Uluguru, Pare, and Kilimanjaro mountains, as well as the Taita Hill clusters themselves.
