Gatamaiyu forest

It was a cool, grey day in August when we visited Gatamaiyu Forest. The hills were covered in mist. We parked our car in the compound of an old fishing station. Two black and white cows grazed peacefully under tall Muna (Aningeria adolfi-friedericii) and Macaranga (Macaranga kilimandscharica) trees, their branches full of birds.


As we walked through the forest, water dripped from the canopy above. The air smelled fresh and earthy, and everywhere we looked, we saw different types of fungi—bright orange mushrooms growing on rotting wood, fuzzy white fungi, and bracket fungi clinging to tree trunks.


There was so much life in the forest! Ants had built nests high up in the trees, moss and lichen covered the trunks, and delicate tree orchids bloomed in the shade. Bird calls filled the air. We heard the call of apalises, and golden orioles—but they were tricky to spot. Suddenly, a pair of Hartlaub’s turacos flew by, their wings flashing bright red. A flock of Kikuyu white-eyes, small greeny-yellow birds with white rings around their eyes, fluttered by the path. We glimpsed a star robin, some starlings, and a group of Colobus monkeys high in the canopy.

Among the trees we saw were the parasol tree, Mutati (Polyscias fulva), which is used to make boxes and beehives, and the East African Camphor (Ocotea usambarensis), a majestic evergreen tree with scaly bark. These trees were once common but have now become rare.

Deep in the forest, we came across a giant Muna tree, its huge roots forming buttresses at the base. The local people call this tree "Wangari Maathai," after the famous Kenyan environmentalist who won the Nobel Peace Prize. Wangari Maathai was a warrior for nature, and she loved trees. She visited this forest once and had her photo taken with this very tree!

Gatamaiyu Forest is managed by a Community Forest Association (CFA), a group of local people who work together to take care of it. These people understand how important the forest is—not just for the animals and plants that live there, but also for the community and future generations.

The CFA helps protect rare trees like Mutati and the Camphor tree from illegal logging and other harmful activities. They also plant new trees to replace those that have been lost. They teach others about the importance of the forest and offer ways to make a living that don’t harm the environment, like beekeeping and eco-tourism. Through their efforts, the forest continues to thrive.

Planning Your Visit

Gatamaiyu Forest is about an hour and a half drive from Nairobi, heading towards Naivasha. It’s a good idea to go with a guide, as the paths can be tricky to find. Whether you’re interested in birds, trees, or just want to enjoy a peaceful walk in nature, Gatamaiyu Forest is a wonderful place to explore. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even get to meet the giant tree named Wangari Maathai!