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Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve comprises the largest remaining tract of coastal forest in East Africa. It is best known as a bird-watching destination, thanks to the presence of several rare endemic and near-endemic species. However, the reserve also harbors a long list of mammals including elephant, buffalo and several localized forest specials. An extension of the main forest is protected in Gedi Ruins National Monument, a ruined medieval Swahili city complete with several old mosques.
Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve supports many interesting large mammal species but seeing them is challenging. On the Big Five front, it is home to around 300 elephants and 200 buffalo, as well as a few secretive leopards. Images of lions (presumably wanderers from nearby Tsavo East National Park) have been captured on camera trap. Antelope include Aders’s duiker, blue duiker and suni, while the most common primates are yellow baboon and blue monkey.
Around 280 bird species have been recorded in Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve. The area is a stronghold for several globally threatened species, including the endemic Clarke’s weaver and near-endemic Sokoke scops owl. Other notable birds include Sokoke pipit, Amani sunbird, spotted ground thrush, east coast akalat and chestnut-fronted helmet-shrike. These specials need to be actively looked for with a specialist guide (available at the entrance gate). Other more noticeable forest birds include Fischer’s turaco, trumpeter hornbill and silvery-cheeked hornbill.
It is possible to visit Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve at any time of year. However, heavy rain might interfere with drives and forest hikes. There is rain along the coast throughout the year, but the months of April, May and November are very wet and therefore less ideal.
Your entry point to Kenya will most likely be Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9mi southeast of the capital city Nairobi. The second international airport is Moi International Airport (MBA), located 9km/6mi west of the coastal city of Mombasa. From either airport you can take a domestic flight to Malindi, which is the closest airport to Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve.
The main entry for Arabuko Sokoke is Gede Gate, which stands alongside the main surfaced road between Mombasa and Malindi. It is around 100km/60mi north of Mombasa (2½ hours’ drive*) and 550km/340mi from Nairobi (at least 9 hours’ drive*).
Malindi is only 18km/11mi from Gede Gate (a drive of less than 30 minutes). Even closer, the popular beach resort of Watamu is a mere 8km/5mi from Gede Gate (15 minutes’ drive). Day trips are offered by most hotels in Malindi and Watamu, or you can hire a car.
The car park for Gedi Ruins National Monument is 3km/2mi from Gede Gate by road.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
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