Karura Forest #19: Turaco Path
The cache, a small cylindrical camo-pot, is hidden in a stump under bark pieces a few metres off this small trail which runs alongside the Turaco stream between junctions 8 and 9 in the southern part of the forest.
To access the cache: (updated March 2016 with closure of Gate B to vehicles)
From main gate A (Limuru Rd) @ S01 14.829 E36 48.948, after paying your entry and parking fees, proceed the 1.2km or so to the junction by the barrier at S01 14.447 E36 49.148. Turn right here, continue past the new River Cafe to the extensive Amani Garden parking area @ S01 14.5777 E36 49.235.
From here take the exit gate at S01 14.594 E36 49.191 which gives access to a small trail crossing an open grassy area to join the trail heading east from Junction 5. Turn left (east) and follow this Lake Trail to J4 then straight across and down the smaller Pipeline Path to its end at J3 where it joins the wide Family Trail. Turn left (east) again and follow this trail past J8b to J8, the start of the Turaco Path, along which this and two other caches are located.
For background information on Karura Forest including access, fees, opening times, features, a detailed trail map and useful links, see GC4PD3V Karura Forest #1: Intro, Info & Entry.
See GC4PDEC Karura Forest #7: Turaco Terrain for general information on Turacos.
The turaco living in Karura Forest is Hartlaub's Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi) which is found in evergreen highland forests at 1,500-3,200m throughout East Africa. It frequents gardens with large trees in suburban areas, especially around Nairobi. It is 40-44 cm, weighs 195-275g and is spectacularly coloured - green with red primaries, crest and nape blue-black, chin, cheeks, neck, mantle, throat, and breast dark green, lower back, folded wings, and tail deep violet blue. White patch in front of eye, red eye ring. Juveniles are similar to adults but duller and with less red in primaries. It utters a high-pitched squawk and a loud, guttural series of barking calls 'kwa, kak, kwak-kwak, kwak'.
Go here for the call and a range map. Several species can thrive and breed in captivity and there is an International Turaco Society with its own website with information about each species and numerous photos.