Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve
Expert Reviews (4)
Kenya Parks
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.
4 people found this review helpful.
An Important Refuge for Endangered Wildlife
Arabuko Sokoke protects the largest remaining tract of coastal forest in Kenya. Although close to the popular holiday resorts of Malindi and Watamu, it isn’t a big tourist attraction. You won’t see lots of wildlife here, but it’s an important refuge for several near-endemic and highly endangered creatures such as the Aders’ duiker and the golden-rumped elephant shrew. The forest is also a birder’s hotspot offering a chance to see Africa’s smallest owl (Sokoke scops owl) among other sought-after specials.
You’ll need a specialized local guide to have a good chance of picking up these localized species, but even on a short stroll or drive you’ll be able to enjoy the bird chorus and fluttering butterflies. A squiz around the waterlily-filled ponds usually brings up some frogs as well.
Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
3 people found this review helpful.
A pleasant forest ramble near the coast and excellent for bird-watching
Next to the coastal road between Kilifi and Watamu, Arabuko Sokoke is one of the largest patches of coastal forest left in Kenya. But don’t expect tropical rainforest – as you approach from the road the only discernable difference is that the coastal scrub thickens and the trees are higher. A number of trails lead through the forest, and the host of endemic and endangered flora and fauna are the main attraction. Some of the birds are rare or not found in other parts of Kenya; for example Fischer's turaco, sokoke pipit and amani sunbird, rare mammals include Ader's duiker and golden-rumped elephant-shrew, and there are numerous species of frogs and butterflies. Arabuko Sokoke can't compete with a wildlife safari but walking is easy, the knowledge of the guides that go with you make it much more interesting, and it’s a refreshing excursion from the sultry coastal resorts.