This reserve was named after its indigenous open canopy forest known as Boni forest which is also part of the Northern Zanzibar-inhambane coastal forest mosaic.
Boni forest boosts densities of plant species that are among the highest in the world and the forest has been declared a biodiversity hot spot.
The reserve is located in the Garissa County covering an area of 1,339 square kilometers (517 square miles) and is administered by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
It was established in 1976 as a dry season sanctuary for elephants in the former Kenyan Ijara and Lamu districts and Somalia though unfortunately elephant population has been greatly decreased by poaching.
The reserve is an ideal place for wildlife safaris due to its abundance of animals such as; warthogs, buffaloes, common duikers, hippopotamuses, bush pigs, gerenuks, warthog, topis, African wild dogs, aardwolves, and waterbucks among others.
Rare sightings in the reserve include; the African elephants and there are also numerous bird species in the reserve including the globally threatened species such as Sokoke pipit.
However though the reserve is so attractive with an abundance of wildlife, the government of Kenya believes that Boni National Reserve has become a suitable hide out for the Al Shabaab (a terrorist organization based in Somalia).
This has led to several armed invasion of the reserve by the Kenya Defense Force and Kenya Police.
On December 28th– 2010, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs included the Boni National Reserve on the list of Kenyan areas American travelers should avoid because of terrorism and violent crime.
However later alone in early 2017, the US troops were reportedly giving Kenya assistance in combing out the reserve.
Amazing activities in the reserve include; game viewing, bird watching, guided nature walks, cultural encounters where tourists visiting the reserve can interact with people by visiting the locals and see how life can differ from different parts of the world.
Through the cultural encounters, there are numerous gifts you can get from the crafts local shops to take home for remembrance or for loved ones thus making your safari a memorable one.
There are no accommodations in the reserve but visitors can stay in the good accommodations situated in the nearby towns.
