Mammal Watching in Central Kenya
In February 2025, John Sadler, Mark Hows, and I visited Kenya on what was primarily a mammal watching trip. With only 9 days at our disposal, we concentrated on sites located in the centre of the country. These included Aberdare National Park (NP), Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Meru NP, Samburu National Reserve (NR), and Soysambu Conservancy.
We recorded 70 mammal species, including Mountain Bongo, Maned Rat, Naked Mole-rat, and Harrison’s Giant Mastiff Bat.
Report last updated: 9 June 2025 (v2).
Mammal Watching in Central Kenya
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5 Comments
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tbutynski
The adult female in the photo is a Somali (Desert) Warthog. Flipped-back ears and relatively weak hind-quarters. Also, the skin is wringled. Congratulations. Yvonne de Jong, Jean-Pierre d’Huart, and I, are confident of this ID. We have seen 100s of Somali Warthogs in Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba…but not one Common Warthog…yet!
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mikerichardson
Many thanks Charles and Jon.
I have since been contacted by Tom Butynski, who among many other things, works on the IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group. He has very kindly advised me that we did in fact see Desert Warthog in Samburu NR.
‘The adult female in the photo is a Somali (Desert) Warthog. Flipped-back ears and relatively weak hind-quarters. Also, the skin is wrinkled. Congratulations. Yvonne de Jong, Jean-Pierre d’Huart, and I, are confident of this ID. We have seen 100s of Somali Warthogs in Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba…but not one Common Warthog…yet!’
I am very happy to be corrected and will edit my report. Tom has also made some other suggestions that I will include in my amended draft.
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Charles Foley
Great report Mike. Jealous of your Mastiff bat sightings!