Msafiri: Arabuko Sokoke National Reserve

Arabuko-Sokoke National park together with the forest reserve is the largest stretch of coastal forest remaining in Eastern Africa. It is located 110km north of Mombasa. The ecosystem comprises of three forest types, mixed forest, Brachystegia and Cynometra, each containing many rare species of birds, butterflies, amphibians and plants. The Clarke's Weaver is completely endemic to the forest, while the Sokoke Scops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, and the Amani Sunbird and Spotted Ground Thrush are only found in the park and a few in Tanzania.
ACCESS:
It lies a few kilometers inland, between the towns of Kilifi and Malindi, you can get there by road, which is 75 Kms from Mombasa town or by plane through Malindi or Mombasa airports.

By Roads: Access through Mombasa, Tarmac road - 75 km.
Access through Malindi.
By Air: Malindi and Mombasa Airports.

SIZE / LOCATION:

6 km2.
It lies a few kilometers inland, between the towns of Kilifi and Malindi, you can get there by road, which is 75 Kms from mombasa town or by plane through Malindi or Mombasa airports.

CLIMATE:

Average annual rainfall ranges from 900mm in the dry and scrubby northwest to 1100mm in the east.

SAFARI CARD REQUIRED?
At present the park does not operate on smart card system. Entry is by cash only (KSH or US$).

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

Endemic Bird species, Butterflies, Remnant coastal forest.
It is the largest existing fragment of the tropical forests that covered much of the East African coast and is an important Kenya safari habitat for endemic/endangered birds, insects, butterflies and mammal species. It is also an important monument as remnants of the coastal tropical forests.
A couple of reptile species (in addition to other species living here e.g. butterflies, Beetles) are found here among them Boomslang, Green Mamba, Rock Python, Forest Cobra, Sand Lizard and Day Geullo.
It is a great reserve for birdwatchin and among the bird species includes Sokoke Pipit, Amani Sunbird,Fischers Turaco, Clarkes weaver, Golden Wooodpecker and many others

WILDLIFE:

Golden-rumped Elephant-shrew, Sokoke bushy-tailed Mongoose, Ader’s Duiker, waterbuck, Bushbuck, African Civet, Blotched Genet, Caracal, syke’s monkeys, several bird species.
Prolific birdlife features 600 species.

WHERE TO STAY:

There is Currently no accommodation in the reserve. There are lots of accommodation facilities along this coast to suit all budget levels

ACTIVITY OPTIONS:

Bird Watching
Butterfly watching
Walking Trails
Game viewing

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU:

Drinking water, picnic items and camping equipment if you intend to stay overnight. Also useful are: binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and guidebooks.