Arabuko Sokoke Kenya National park
The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is East Africa’s largest surviving, dry coastal forest, situated only 7 km inland from Watamu and 18 km southwest from Malindi on the Kenya Coast.
The Forest covers an area of approximately 400 square km and is composed of three distinctly different forest habitats: mixed lowland forest, open Brachystegia woodland and dense Cynometra forest, providing a unique and important habitat for a number of endemic and endangered birds, insects and mammals.
A small population of elephant, buffalo and six species of small antelope, including the globally endangered Ader’s Duiker, can be found in the Forest. Mongoose, bush babies and genet cat can sometimes be seen at night, while the caracal and the endangered golden-rumped elephant shrew are often visible during the day. Baboons and Sykes monkeys are often spotted.
One third of Kenya’s 870 butterfly species are abundant in the Forest, especially during the rainy season (May-July).
Considered the second most important African forest for its bird conservation value, over 260 species of bird have been recorded in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. A global stronghold for one Globally Endangered species, the spotted ground thrush, and five Globally Threatened species of birds, the Sokoke Scops owl, Sokoke pipit, east coast akalat, Amani sunbird, and the Clarke’s weaver, are all endemic to the area. The Forest is also home to a large number of bird species restricted to the coastal area, such as the green barbet, Fisher’s turaco and southern banded snake eagle.
East Coast Akalat, captured during a ringing exercise.
Well-trained and knowledgeable local guides are available to take visitors on educational walks. There are over 40 km of rough driving tracks and a network of walking paths to explore. A well-equipped Visitors Center is open daily for information and forest guide bookings.
Arabuko-Sokoke National Forest Description
The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is East Africa’s largest remaining indigenous coastal forest. The Forest contains over 260 species of birds including six species of globally threatened birds – Sokoke Scops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, East Coast Akalat, Spotted Ground Thrush, Amani Sunbird and Clarke’s Weaver. Several of the rare mammals that call the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest home are the golden-rumped elephant shrew, bushy-tailed mongoose and Ader’s duiker.
The forest plays host to plenty of rare species including birds, butterflies, amphibians and plants.
The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest contains three forest types: mixed forest; Brachystegia, woodlands on the east side, and Cynometra, thick forest on red soil located in the western area. The
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forest is a favorite picnic spot for residents and visitors.
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Hobbies & Activities category: Natural area; National park; Scenic site or route; Wildlife area, bird sanctuary.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
Arabuko-Sokoke forest (41,600 hectares) is the largest single block of natural coastal forest remaining in East Africa. Its rich biodiversity includes a concentration of endemic and endangered flora and fauna.
On the African mainland the forest ranks second in bird conservation value, after the Congo rain forest, as home to six globally threatened taxa (Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke Scops Owl, Amani Sunbird, Sokoke Pipit, Spotted Ground Thrush and East Coast Akalat).
Of the fifty two mammal species found in the forest 5 are globally threatened (African Elephant, Golden Rumped Elephant Shrew, Bushy Tailed Mongoose, Red Bush Squirrel and Ader’s Duiker). Diverse populations of reptiles and invertebrates are present, which include 250 recorded species of butterfly (4 are endemic). The forests conservation depends on its co-existence with the surrounding rapidly growing rural population that is hard pressed for land, jobs and income sources.
