Mount Suswa is not a traditional safari destination. It has no game drives, ranger posts, or fenced reserves. What it offers instead is something far rarer: a wild, unfenced volcanic ecosystem, still governed by the rhythms of climate, Maasai pastoralism, and nature itself. While it lacks the large wildlife densities of places like Maasai Mara or Amboseli, Mount Suswa’s volcanic caves, lava plains, forested crater, and highland scrublands host a unique and often elusive cast of animal species—many of them poorly studied, and all of them adapted to a rugged, fire-scarred, and cave-riddled environment.
🦁 Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena)
Elusive Nocturnal Predator of the Lava Slopes
Striped hyenas are the apex predator of Mount Suswa, though they are rarely seen in daylight. Sightings are most common at night near cave mouths, lava ridges, and in the inner crater, where they scavenge or hunt rodents, hares, and goat remains.
- Territorial ranges here may span over 20–40 km², as prey is sparse and scavenging is competitive.
- They are highly adapted to nocturnal foraging, using keen hearing and scent to locate food.
- Hyena latrines and scat are often found near campgrounds or pathways, and their cackling calls echo through the crater rim after dusk.
Unlike the spotted hyenas of savanna ecosystems, striped hyenas are more solitary, and their activity is closely tied to Maasai boma patterns and livestock movement.
🐒 Olive Baboons (Papio anubis)
The Guardians of the Baboon Parliament
Perhaps Mount Suswa’s most famous residents, the olive baboons that roost in the Baboon Parliament lava cave are a remarkable example of behavioral adaptation.
- At dusk, entire troops—sometimes over 100 individuals—descend into the caves to sleep, away from predators.
- The large males are known to take positions at elevated cave ledges, keeping watch over the troop and sounding alarms if danger approaches.
- Their use of the caves is not just practical but ritualized: the same entrances are used nightly, and the troop’s spatial structure is well organized.
In the early morning, baboons emerge to forage across the crater rim, occasionally descending into the inner basin or heading to steam vent zones for warmth in cold seasons. They are known to raid campsites for food if precautions aren’t taken.
🦌 Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus)
Masters of the Crater Walls
Small, sure-footed, and remarkably agile, klipspringers are one of the most terrain-adapted antelope species found at Mount Suswa.
- They inhabit the rocky walls of the crater, both inner and outer, and are often seen silhouetted against the sky at dawn.
- Mated pairs form permanent territories, using vantage points to scan for predators.
- Their hooves are uniquely adapted to grip rock, allowing them to traverse steep lava escarpments with ease.
Due to their cryptic coloring and tendency to freeze motionless when threatened, they are often overlooked. Sharp-eyed hikers may spot them with binoculars near ridges or ledges early in the morning.
🦇 Harrison’s Giant Mastiff Bat (Otomops harrisoni)
One of Africa’s Rarest Bats – Roosting in the Heart of the Volcano
Mount Suswa’s lava tubes are one of the few known roosting sites for Harrison’s Giant Mastiff Bat, a species considered globally rare and vulnerable. Identified only in select parts of Kenya and Tanzania, these enormous bats can have a wingspan exceeding 50 cm and are recognizable by their wrinkled faces and long tails.
- Prefers deep, undisturbed cave systems with low light and stable humidity
- Likely feeds on large moths, beetles, and night-flying insects
- Roosts communally but separately from smaller bat species like fruit bats
- Often roosts deeper in the cave system, where human access is difficult
This species’ presence at Suswa makes the crater’s lava cave ecosystem ecologically significant, and worth ongoing scientific study and conservation.
🦓 Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)
Grazers on the Volcanic Grasslands
While not abundant, zebras are occasionally seen grazing on grassy clearings inside the outer crater and along access roads into the conservancy. These are usually small, transient groups, likely crossing from nearby pastoral lands or the Suswa–Narok plains.
- Typically observed in small herds of 3–10 individuals
- Most active during morning and evening grazing hours
- Often accompanied by goats or Maasai livestock without incident
Zebra sightings are unpredictable, but they underscore Suswa’s role as a natural corridor between wild and pastoral lands.
🦒 Masai Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)
Nomadic Browsers on the Edge of the Caldera
Giraffes are not commonly found inside the crater, but they’re occasionally spotted on the outer flanks and buffer zones, especially near scattered acacia woodlands.
- Tall browsers that feed on acacia and Commiphora trees
- Sightings are seasonal — usually when adjacent plains are dry
- Often travel in loose family groups, blending well into scrubland
While giraffes are not part of Suswa’s core ecosystem, their occasional presence adds a surreal vertical contrast to the low, wind-swept volcanic terrain.
🐆 Leopard (Panthera pardus)
The Ghost of the Crater Forest
The leopard is Suswa’s most elusive and least confirmed large predator. Sightings are extremely rare — typically inferred from tracks, scat, and local Maasai reports — but the species almost certainly uses the inner crater forest and outer rocky slopes as part of a nocturnal hunting range.
- Solitary and nocturnal, often following hyrax, small antelope, or baboon movements
- Likely range overlaps with hyena territories, requiring stealth
- Never observed directly in recent surveys — but locals tell of rare encounters
If leopards do persist in Suswa, they represent some of the last truly wild, uncollared individuals in the Rift Valley highlands.
🐢 Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
Slow-Walking Icons of the Savannah
Amidst the heat and rocks, the Leopard Tortoise can occasionally be found lumbering across trails or resting under shrubs in the crater.
- Largest land tortoise in Kenya, reaching over 40 cm in length
- Herbivorous, feeding on grasses, cactus, and dry-season succulents
- Often active after light rains, when vegetation softens
While not numerous, these tortoises are a pleasant surprise on hikes and a symbol of Suswa’s seasonal resilience.
🐾 Mongooses (Multiple Species)
The Busybody Hunters of the Lava Fields
Several mongoose species inhabit Mount Suswa, most notably:
- Banded mongoose (Mungos mungo): Seen in small packs foraging near campgrounds and open areas
- White-tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda): Nocturnal, solitary, larger; leaves distinctive droppings and tracks
- Slender mongoose (Galerella sanguinea): Occasionally spotted darting through bush or rocks
Mongooses play a vital ecological role in insect and rodent control, and their fast, agile movements add liveliness to Suswa’s mid-day stillness.
🐕 Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
The Night-Calling Scavenger
While striped hyenas are more common, spotted hyenas are occasionally heard or seen in the outer plains and steam vent regions.
- Recognized by their loud whooping calls at night
- Tend to stay further from human activity, but scavenge near bomas and old cave sites
- Leave larger, more rounded scat and track impressions than striped hyenas
The coexistence of both hyena species is rare and underscores Suswa’s unique transitional habitat between savannah and highland.
🐿️ Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis)
The Sentinel of the Cliffs
Despite resembling a rodent, the rock hyrax is more closely related to elephants. These plump, marmot-sized mammals are highly adapted to rocky environments, and are frequently seen sunning themselves on crater walls and lava outcrops.
- Found in family groups of 3–12 individuals
- Emit sharp warning whistles at the sight of danger
- Provide a key prey base for Verreaux’s eagles and leopards
Often overlooked, they’re one of the most visible daytime mammals in Suswa — especially in the early morning.
🦉 Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl (Bubo lacteus)
Nighttime Royalty of the Crater
The largest owl in Africa, this formidable nocturnal hunter is occasionally recorded around Mount Suswa’s outer crater acacias and cave entrances.
- Distinctive with its pink eyelids and deep hooting call
- Feeds on hares, birds, bats, and even young mongooses
- Typically roosts during the day in dense tree canopies or cliffs
Spotting this owl requires patience and a flashlight, but its deep hoots can often be heard during still nights.
🐦 Hartlaub’s Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi)
The Crowned Jewel of the Inner Crater Forest
The Hartlaub’s turaco is a rare and visually stunning bird, limited to high-elevation forests and gorges in East Africa.
- Vibrant green plumage with a white facial streak and crimson underwings
- Feeds on wild figs and berries, playing a role in seed dispersal
- Known for their nasal, laughing call heard in early mornings
Most likely to be encountered by birders who hike into the inner crater forest, especially between June and August.
🐸 Banded Rubber Frog (Phrynomantis bifasciatus)
A Colorful Amphibian in a Dry Land
Despite its arid environment, Suswa supports amphibian life in seasonal pools, steam vents, and shaded caves. The banded rubber frog is small but striking.
- Glossy black with bright red or orange bands across its back
- Secretes a mild toxin when handled — not dangerous, but best admired from a distance
- Breeds in temporary rain pools, often after November or April rains
Their presence reflects microhabitats created by volcanic shelter and geothermal warmth.
🐜 Safari Driver Ants (Dorylus spp.)
The Marching Invertebrates of the Forest Floor
Inside the crater’s forest or near the cave systems, you may spot long, organized lines of driver ants, a keystone invertebrate predator in East African ecosystems.
- Known for massive raids on insects, spiders, even small reptiles
- Colonies can number in the hundreds of thousands
- Give wide berth — their bite is painful and relentless
Their movements maintain balance in insect populations and create ecological openings for smaller species.
🦉 African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis)
A Tiny Master of Camouflage
The African scops owl is tiny — about the size of your hand — and perfectly camouflaged against bark and lava rock.
- Blends in so well that most sightings are accidental
- Emits a single repeated “prrrp” sound, like a squeaky door
- Can be spotted with red-filtered torches at night near campsite trees
Birders should listen carefully around dusk and early night for its unmistakable call.
🦢 Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)
The Snake-Stomping Strider of the Rift
On rare occasions, the secretary bird is spotted striding across open grasslands surrounding Suswa. This ground-dwelling raptor is both dramatic and efficient.
- Stands over 1.2 meters tall with crane-like legs and eagle head
- Hunts snakes, lizards, rodents by stomping them to death
- Usually seen solo or in pairs near conservancy edges or buffer zones
Photographers who stake out open plains may catch these striking birds on the move.
🐀 Bush Vlei Rats & Grass Mice
The Foundation of the Food Chain
Rodents are rarely spotted during the day, but they form the backbone of the food web — feeding snakes, owls, mongooses, and raptors.
- Multimammate mice breed rapidly and are key prey in dry seasons
- Vlei rats dig burrows in sandy volcanic soil near grassy edges
- Their movement can be heard in dry leaves and undergrowth
Pitching camp near their runways often brings out mongooses and owls after dark.
🦎 Flap-Necked Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis)
The Slow Shifter of Acacia Bushes
While rare in Suswa’s drier parts, chameleons are sometimes spotted near steam vent areas or shaded ravines.
- Recognizable by color changes, slow gait, and rotating eyes
- Active during cool, misty mornings
- Feed on insects, playing a minor but charming ecological role
Spotting one is a treat — they’re silent ambassadors of Suswa’s cryptic diversity.
🦅 Raptors of Suswa
Aerial Predators Patrolling the Thermals
Suswa’s steep cliffs and geothermal vents create ideal conditions for birds of prey, particularly eagles, buzzards, and vultures.
Notable species include:
- Verreaux’s Eagle (Aquila verreauxii): Frequently seen soaring along the outer crater, often in pairs. They nest in cliff faces and prey on hyrax and small mammals.
- Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur): A common sight, often perched on lava rocks scanning for rodents.
- Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus): Occasionally seen circling steam vents, scavenging bones and carrion.
- Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus): Rare but reported by birders in the high crater zones.
Raptor diversity here is a product of low human disturbance, plentiful thermals, and the presence of small prey in open habitats.
🦇 Cave-Dwelling Bats
The Hidden Engineers of the Underworld
Mount Suswa’s lava caves host some of Kenya’s densest bat colonies, with multiple species co-roosting in the same systems.
- Most numerous are Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and Little free-tailed bats (Chaerephon pumilus).
- Colonies number in the tens of thousands, creating dense masses on cave ceilings.
- The bats are vital for seed dispersal and insect control, but their guano also nourishes unique invertebrate cave ecosystems.
Sunset is the best time to witness them — thousands burst from the caves in tight spirals, their wingbeats whispering through the dusk.
🐍 Reptiles of the Volcanic Slopes
Heat-Lovers of the Lava Rock
The rocky, sun-baked environment of Suswa provides perfect basking and hunting grounds for reptiles.
- Rock Python (Python sebae): Kenya’s largest snake, rarely seen but occasionally found near caves or collapsed lava tubes.
- Kenya Sand Boa (Eryx colubrinus): Found burrowing in soft volcanic ash near campsite clearings.
- Agama Lizards & Skinks: Widespread on lava outcrops and boulders. Males display bright breeding colors during hot months.
Reptiles tend to be more active from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when rock temperatures rise.
🐾 Other Noteworthy Species
- Common mongoose: Frequently seen darting across trails near camp.
- White-tailed mongoose (nocturnal): Sometimes observed near cave entrances at night.
- Porcupines: Evidence of digging and quill droppings near forested crater zones.
- Ground squirrels and hares: Important prey species for raptors and snakes.
🔭 How to Increase Your Chances of Wildlife Sightings
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Camp near natural corridors | Wildlife uses these routes at dawn/dusk |
| Avoid loud groups | Most species here are shy and avoid noise |
| Hike early or late | Activity peaks at sunrise and before dusk |
| Bring binoculars | Many species are small or high up in cliffs |
| Work with a Maasai guide | They know where species are regularly seen |
📸 Wildlife Spotting Tips
| Time of Day | Best Animals to Spot |
|---|---|
| Early Morning | Klipspringer, baboons, raptors |
| Midday | Tortoises, agamas, mongooses |
| Dusk | Zebras, giraffes, steam vent birdlife |
| Night | Hyenas, bats, owls, leopards (if lucky) |
🔍 Conclusion: A Volcanic Refuge for the Unexpected
Mount Suswa’s wildlife is not defined by drama — it’s defined by discovery. A bat colony in a lava cave. A baboon troop assembling like clockwork. A lone klipspringer pausing on a cliff at sunrise. This is not a place of drive-by sightings. It’s a place of patience, silence, and sudden, electrifying glimpses.
In an age of shrinking wild spaces, Suswa’s open, unpolished ecosystem stands as a reminder that nature doesn’t need infrastructure to be remarkable — only respect, time, and curiosity.
🧭 Ecological Insight: Why Mount Suswa Matters for Biodiversity
Mount Suswa’s unique mix of volcanic terrain, dryland forest, lava caves, and semi-nomadic land use creates a mosaic habitat — ideal for:
- Endemic and near-threatened species (e.g. Harrison’s Giant Mastiff Bat)
- Migratory and elevationally mobile birds
- Coexistence of wildlife and Maasai livestock through traditional conservation ethics
This blend supports a low-density but high-diversity animal community, crucial for the resilience of East Africa’s semi-arid highlands.
🧭 Final Thoughts
Mount Suswa may not host elephants or big cats, but its wildlife experience is no less intimate or immersive. Here, you earn your sightings — by listening, watching, and stepping lightly through one of Kenya’s last unfenced, unspoiled highland wildernesses.
You won’t drive up to a lion kill. But you might sit in silence while a baboon troop flows like shadow into a lava cave, or see the wings of an eagle stretch wide against the crater’s orange sky.
It’s not about volume. It’s about depth. Connection. Stillness. Surprise.