Arabuko Sokoke Forest is the largest remaining natural coastal forest in East Africa’s (420 km²). You can find common animals and plants but also some endemic, rare or endangered birds, plants, mammals and reptiles.

Anything written here about Arabuko Sokoke Forest can only be the merest introduction to the vast tracts of the largest indigenous coastal forest in East Africa, but it shall show how important this habitat is – for animals, plants and human. Some international organizations assist the local people to use the forest without destroying it. 

Eco tourism, education, reforestation programs and gentle utilization should help as well so that future generations can tell about an exciting visit to this wonderful place. Well trained guides accompany you on your walk and drive from the entrance at the Kenya Wildlife gate. From Watamu town it is a 10 to 15 minutes drive. Your visit plays an important part in preserving this forest and at the same time you learn about a unique biotope.

Arabuko Sokoke Forest is divided into 3 different types of vegetation:

Mixed forest contains the greatest variety (67 tree species) and grows near the main Mombasa road

Brachystegia-woodland prefers the light sandy soils of the Eastern side

Cynometra-forest covers the red compact magarini-soils of the Western more than 50% of the forest

The various biotopes provide a niche for almost 600 species of plants / trees (many are not yet described). While walking under the tall trees your guide will explain the characteristic and use of plants and trees. Best times are early mornings and evenings.

3 endangered mammals occur in Arabuko Sokoke Forest

Golden-rumped elephant shrew (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus)

Ader’s duiker (Cephalophus adersi)

Sokoke bushy-tailed mongoose (Bdeogale omnivora)

Some of the 40 mammals in Arabuko Sokoke Forest:  Red-, Blue- and Common Duiker, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Suni, African Civet Cat, Large-spotted Genet, Caracal, Golden cat, Wild cat, Serval Cat, different Mongoose, Sykes Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis albigularis) and Green Monkeys, Yellow baboons, various squirrels, Ground Pangolin, Aardvark, Cape hare, Buffalo, Elephants and many more

30 amphibian and 88 reptile species (tortoises, lizards and snakes) occur in the region. Should you be interested in snake please visit Watamu Snake Farm. They also organize interesting herpetological tours. 

Invertebrates – Nobody knows exactly how many beetles, dragon flies, grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, ants, millipedes, centipedes, termites live in Arabuko Sokoke Forest. Butterflies are around 250 registered species. Some of them can be seen at the butterfly farm (Kipepeo Project) near the Gedi ruins.

6 world wide endangered birds occur in this area

Sokoke sops-owl (Otus ireneae)

East coast akalat (Sheppardia gunningi sokokensis)

Sokoke pipit (Anthus sokokensis)

Amani sunbird (Anthreptes pallidigaster)

Fischer’s Ground-Thrush (Geokichla (guttata) fischeri)

Clarke’s weaver (Ploceus golandi) (Dakatcha Woodland)

Over 230 bird species are recorded and will attract your interest. Some like the Black-headed oriole accompany you with their typical call on your walk.

We list some of the special bird species of Arabuko Sokoke Forest- some are only found in this region and in East Usambara Mountains / Amani Forest– they are described on the bird pages

Southern-banded Snake, Eagle, Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco m. monogrammicus), Thick-billed Cuckoo, (Pachycoccyx audeberti validus), Green Malkoha, African Wood Owl (Strix woodfordii nigricantior), Southern White-faced Owl, Sokoke Scops-owl, Plain Nightjar, Forbes-Watson’s Swift (Apus berliozi bensoni), Mottled Spinetail (Telacanthura ussheri stictilaema), Böhm’s Spinetail (Neafraus boemi sheppardi), Green Barbet (Stactolaema o. olivacea), Eastern Green Tinkerbird, Mombasa Woodpecker,

African Pitta (Pitta angolensis longipennis), Malindi Pipit, Sokoke Pipit, Grey Cuckooshrike (Ceblepyris caesius purus), Eastern Nicator, Red-tailed Ant-thrush (Neocossyphus r. rufus), Fischer’s Ground-Thrush (Geokichla (guttata) fischeri), East Coast Akalat (Sheppardia gunningi sokokensis), Red-capped Robin-chat (Cossypha natalensis intensa), Bearded Scrub-Robin (Cercotrichas q. quadrivirgata), Little Yellow Flycatcher (Erythrocercus holochlorus), Coastal Cisticola (Cisticola haematocephalus), 

Black-headed Apalis (Apalis m. melanocephala), Pale or East Coast Batis (Batis soror), Eastern black-headed Batis (Batis minor suahelica), East coast Boubou (Laniarius sublacteus), Retz’s Helmet-Shrike (Prionops retzii graculinus), Black-bellied Starling (Notopholia c. corusca), Olive Sunbird (Cyanomitra olivacea changamwenis), Mouse-coloured Sunbird (Cyanomitra verreauxii fischeri), Plain-backed or Blue-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes reichenowi yokanae), 

Purple-banded Sunbird (Cinnyris bifasciatus), Violet-breasted Sunbird (Cinnyris chalcomelas), African Golden Weaver (Ploceus subaureus aureoflavus), Golden Palm Weaver (Ploceus bojeri), Dark-backed Weaver (Ploceus bicolor kersteni), Clarke’s Weaver (Ploceus golandi) more frequent in Dakatcha Woodland, Black-necked Weaver (Ploceus nigricollis melanoxanthus), Fire-fronted Bishop (Euplectes diadematus), Green Twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula chubbi)

While spending time in Watamu we overnight at Ocean Sports Hotel or Turtle Bay Beach Resort (if you prefer an other hotel just let us know and we book it for you). Ocean Sports Hotel is a comfortable hotel directly at the beach of the wonderful Turtle Bay. At 5 a.m. they serve us some sandwiches and coffee so that we can be at the entrance to Arabuko Sokoke Forest by 6 a.m. That is the time the light is coming in and birds as well as mammals are most active. Soon it will be hot and all will hide in the shade.

Our local guide knows Arabuko Sokoke Forest and it inhabitants.

You will drive and walk. One goal are the Sokoke Scops-Owls. They are rare. Please keep a good distance since one reason they are disappearing are reckless visitors.

Watamu is an amazing place to spend “only” beach holiday. We gladly organize excursions for you with our super team from Watamu.

Our 12 days safari South Eastern Kenya ends in Watamu and you have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful beach and the highly interesting places Watamu offers

Bird watching from Nairobi to Watamu – 13 days

Some impressions from Arabuko Sokoke Forest – sometimes we walk with a ranger since elephants and buffalos are in the area. The late David Ngala was the teacher who inspired many guides, also us! He knew the forest in and out and his stories were fascinating. David was also a great conservationist and was working closely with communities. We all miss him badly.