What is unique about Arabuko Sokoke forest? : The Arabuko Sokoke Forest is in the Northern part of Kenya, and it is accessible from Mombasa by travelling a distance of around 100 kilometres. With a total surface area of around 420 square kilometres, this national reserve is recognised as having the largest coastal forest in the world. The Arabuko Sokoke Forest was formally established as a national park in the 1980s with the primary goal of protecting all of the wildlife species that are present in the nation and are also regarded as some of the top tourist attractions that have made significant contributions to the growth of the Kenyan tourism industry. Furthermore, this national park is surrounded by breath taking natural features like knee-high grass, dense forests, shrubs, and many plant species like Hymenaea verrucosa and sansibarensis, savannah grasslands, among others. All of these tend to act as good natural habitats to many kenya wildlife Butterfly watching tours species, which have an estimated 252 species living there. Some of these animals include antelopes, yellow baboons, and elephants, among others. Because it is home to about 20% of bird species and about 30% of butterfly species, the Arabuko Sokoke Forest is also well-known for being a good birding destination. In addition, visitors who choose to stay longer and explore more of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest may have opportunities to partake in a wide range of activities and view a great deal of sights, making their safari successful.
What is unique about Arabuko Sokoke forest? : Attractions
There are numerous attractions in this national park that draw visitors from all over the world. A few of these attractions are the dense forest, which spans about 30 kilometres and has three distinct zones that hikers can tour through. Game drives are also the best way to see the various areas of the park. There are also excellent platforms where visitors may take stunning pictures of the entire forest in its entirety as well as the lofty Nyali, which is also regarded as the worthwhile sight. A vast number of migratory birds, including crab plovers, sand plovers, terek sandpipers, greater flamingos, and many others, winter in enormous numbers in this national reserve’s Mida Creek, which is surrounded by mangrove trees.
What is unique about Arabuko Sokoke forest? : Things to do
Tourists who are visiting the Arabuko-Sokoke National Park frequently have the chance to participate in exciting activities that let them enjoy themselves, learn new things, and make lasting memories. A few of these activities are:
What is unique about Arabuko Sokoke forest? : Wildlife viewing
While on an adventurous Kenya safari, Arabuko Sokoke National Park is a good place to stop because it is known to be home to over 252 mammal species, including yellow baboons, buffalos, leopards, elephants, lesser galago elephants, ader’s duikers, small antelopes that typically live in pairs, blue, red, and common duikers, unique golden-rumped elephant shrews, and primate species like vervet monkeys.
High endemism may be found in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, which is home to endemic creatures, birds, and plants. There are three main types of forests there: mixed forest, brachystegia, and cynometra, each of which protects a different plant and animal community.
Numerous endemic and near-endemic species are protected by it. The Sokoke scops owl, Sokoke pipit, Amani sunbird, and spotted ground thrush are only found here and in a forest remnant in Tanzania. In contrast, the Clarke’s weaver is entirely indigenous to the forest. The Terek sandpiper and the crab plover are two species that are protected by the park’s proximity to Mida Creek, a mangrove forest that serves as a vital wintering ground for shorebirds.
The adorable Sokoke bushy-tailed mongoose and Aders’s duiker (found only here and in Zanzibar) are more elusive than the lovable golden-rumped elephant shrew, an endemic elephant shrew. Savannah elephants, African civets, sokokes, baboons, and vervet monkeys are other animals that can be found in the woodland. The park is also acknowledged as a premier hub for amphibian variety.
Birdwatching
Approximately 270 different bird species can be found in the Arabuko Sokoke National Park, many of which are always accessible to visitors, especially bird lovers. Some of these birds include the Amani Sunbird, Sokoke Pipit, Snake Eagle, Plain-backed Sunbird, Fischer’s Turaco, Golden Woodpecker, Hawk Eagle, East Coast Akalat, African Pitta, Spotted Ground Thrush, Sokoke Scoops, and Scaly Babbler. Tourists should also be aware that the best time to go bird watching is always around dawn, around 6:00am. Around this time, many birds are active, giving you the chance to see them in huge numbers and hear their lovely songs.
Butterfly Watching
Due to the over 250 butterfly species that call this national park home, including the Mylothris agathina, Danaus chritsipus alcipus, Amauris ochlea, and Baliochilla minima of the Lycaenidae family, Mimetic, Charaxes blandae of the Nymphalidae family, and Charaxes lasti, you can see many beautiful birds while touring the park.
Tourists can also participate in other activities like game drives, community visits, cultural encounters, and guided nature walks, where they can travel through a variety of trails while being accompanied by park guides who ensure their safety and serve as their guides because they are familiar with much of the park.
When to visit
The Forest of Arabuko-Sokoke The two rainy seasons that characterise coastal weather are the short rainy season in November and December and the long rainy season from April through June, which begins with sprinkles by the end of March and is thought to be the wettest month.
Knowing the rain patterns can help you avoid the frustration of being unable to take advantage of everything that the forest has to offer because precipitation can impact forest pathways and make some of them more difficult to cross. Average yearly temperatures are often in the lower to mid-80s Fahrenheit (26-30 Celsius) during the day and lower to mid-70s Fahrenheit (21-24 Celsius) at night along the Indian Ocean coastline. Inland locations tend to be less humid than coastal areas.
But the forest is a lovely place to come at any time of year. You can purchase the official Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Map at the Gede main forest gate or view the map by clicking here for locations of activities and significant forest features.
Activities
Forest Drives: Over 100 kilometres of forest trails are accessible to the public. Our guide will give you advice on the accessibility of forest trails, although in some areas, especially during the rainy season, a 4WD is recommended. Don’t forget to visit the Arabuko Swamp, the only permanent water source in the forest where elephant come to drink at dusk, as well as other forest features like the Nyari viewpoint with its breath taking views of Mida Creek and the Indian Ocean.
Camping : All necessary supplies, transportation, food, and water must be provided by the campers themselves. There are currently no designated campsites with services, and no restrooms are provided. In the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, fires are NOT permitted, and all trash must be taken out with you.
Walking safaris: The sounds of birdsong and cicadas fill the air as you stroll through the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, and occasionally a mammal may cross the path. In accordance with your interests and physical capabilities, your guide will make sure you visit the appropriate areas.
Picnic: At a few locations in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, picnics are permitted. It should be noted that a picnic is defined as a small event with packed snacks for family and friends and cannot include food or the setting up of temporary structures like tents.
