Raffia Forest, home of the Palm-nut Vulture

 

The Raffia Forest Walk has to be on the top of your list when visiting Kosi Bay!

 

The forest is a nature’s lovers delight with fascinating flora and fauna. Described by some as a mini-Amazon. 

 

Situated on the banks of 4th Lake, you will find these giants. Considered the largest palms in the world, growing as high as 16 meters.

 

The Raffia palms also have the largest leaves of any tree in the world - some of these leaves are 25 meters in length. Since the fronds are spongy, they float with ease and are used by the local people for building canoes. 

 

The Raphia forests are home to the Palm nut vulture, a red data species, and the only fruit-eating vulture in the world.

These phenomenal birds feed from the palm nut fruit. 

​

They hang upside down below the fruit, pull the palm nut off the tree with their beaks, and then hold it in their feet to eat it.

The Palm-nut Vulture supplements their diet with crabs, fish, and locusts. 

 

The tour guide has fascinating information about the forest and will help you look out for this iconic bird.