Arabuko Sokoke Forest National Park

Arabuko Sokoke Forest National Park
Arabuko-Sokoke forest is found in the coastal town of Malindi. It was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1943 and later became a protected nature reserve and park in the 1980’s. This one of the biggest forests in coastal Kenya and East Africa as well-one of the few remaining tropical rain forests in the coastal zone.
The park covers just an estimate of 6 square kilometers on the coastal strip. Half of the park is the Arabuko-Sokoke forest reserve that covers and entire 420 sq km on the coast together managed by the Kenya Wildlife service although continually faced by threats from increase human activities such as cultivation and settlement from the different Swahili communities living near the forest borders. The park is actually located on the north western border of the forest reserve.
The vegetation is composed of the a sheer blend of tree species of brachystegia and Cynometra besides the heavy under bush growth.
Wildlife
The forest is home to several forest endemic species including primates, mammals, birds, insects and several exotic plants and trees. There are more than 220 birds in the forest reserve and park but the most notable species are the threatened endemics like the Spotted round thrush, Sokoke scoops owl, Amani sunbird and Sokoke pipit among others. There are more birds breeding and nesting in the mangrove swamps and grasslands at the ocean shores such as the crab plover, golden woodpecker, Fischer’s Turaco, shore bird Clarke’s weaver and Terek sand piper among others.
Game viewing is best in the forests to the mainland where African elephants, Golden rumped elephant shrew and the endemic Elephant shrew are seen crisscross the nature trails. Other mammals in the forest include the African civets, vervet monkeys, baboons, Ader’s duiker, gent, waterbuck, bushbuck, Sokoke bushy tailed mongoose and reptiles like sand lizard, forest cobra, day geullo, boomslang, rock python and green mamba.
Activities
Nature walks, forest walks and beach strolls are the major adventures of in this coastal Kenya national park. Game drives are limited on concerns of conservation plans. Of course bird watching is a favorite for Arabuko-Sokoke forest and park tourist.
Other adventures in the town take you to the 12th century Gedi Ruins, the Swahili coastal villages, Malindi Marine Park and reserve for exciting diving and snorkelling.
Getting there
The forest is found between Mombasa and Malindi in the district of Kilifi. The park is actually 110km north of Mombasa town accessed by road from Mombasa Malindi highway. The distance from the town of Malindi to the park is a mere 75km to the park gate. There are flights from Mombasa to Malindi airports for charters. The park ios good place to visit all through the year
Accommodation
Camping is allowed in the park for only a few restricted sites with self catering camping facilities and supplies. Other forms of accommodation are available at the beach from several hotels, resorts and cottages. Some of the options include Kitsapu cottages and Jamii Villas located near the forest reserve headquarters.

Comments are closed.