Arabuko Sokoke national park is a stone’s throw away from Malindi, situated 18km off the Mombasa Malindi highway, and a mere 100km north of Mombasa town. The park is the tip of the iceberg, covering a tiny 6 square kilometers area within the vast Arabuko Sokoke forest reserve. As the largest coastal dry forest in east Africa, it’s a bird-watcher’s paradise and a butterfly enthusiast’s dream come true- ranking number 2 in Africa for its incredible biodiversity. It’s a hidden gem that’s worth exploring and a must visit destination for nature lovers.
The Arabuko forest reserve was placed under protection in 1943, and the national park was officially gazetted in the late 1980s. Today, it’s a treasure trove for bird and butterfly enthusiasts, ranking second in Africa for its incredible biodiversity. The park is a haven for wildlife, hosting a whopping 20% of Kenya’s bird population, 30% of its butterfly species and over 24% of its endemic birds, reptiles and mammals. The Kenya wildlife services are at the helm of the national park’s operations while the Kenya forest reserve services manage the forest.
Visitors to the park can take their pick from a plethora of activities, including wildlife viewing, bird watching, butterfly watching, guided nature walks, hiking, cycling and camping.
Wild life
Arabuko Sokoke national park is a veritable zoo, boasting an impressive array of wildlife, including 252 mammals, 76 amphibians and 60 plant species. The park is a hotspot for animal enthusiasts, with a diversity range of residents including the charismatic yellow baboons, lesser galago elephants, Sykes’ monkeys. Other notable inhabitants include the aders’ duiker, the tiny but mighty elephant shrew, and the majestic savannah elephants.
Bird watchers also in for a treat, with species like the Clarke’s weaver, Sokoke scops owl, Amani sunbird, Sokoke pipit and spotted ground thrush calling the park home. Additionally, the park is a haven for reptile and amphibians earning its reputation as a hub of amphibian diversity. With such a rich tapestry of wildlife, Arabuko Sokoke National Park is a true gem of biodiversity.
What to do at Arabuko Sokoke National Park.
Arabuko Sokoke national park offers tourist with marvelous adventurous opportunities to engage in several activities and these include;
Birding
the park is a renowned birding destination providing home to over 230 bird species including several endemic and near endemic species. Some of the top spotted bird species include Clarke’s weaver, Sokoke pipit, Amani sunbird, eastern nicator, Jackson widow bird among others. Birds in Arabuko Sokoke national park can easily be spotted in the coastal forests, branchiostegal woodland, park’s grasslands.
Wildlife viewing
Arabuko Sokoke national park is a home to a wide range of mammal species which visitors can spot while on a safari in the park and these include elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, rare golden ramped elephant’s shrew, ader’s duikers. The park also habits 79 amphibian species and over 49 reptiles such as the rock pythons, day Geilo, forest cobras, bush snake, sharp nosed vipers among others.
Nature walks
Guided nature walks are one of the most exciting adventures to take part in while in Arabuko Sokoke National Park. These walks offer visitors a chance to explore the wonders of the park because it requires them to move on foot. While on the nature walk, visitors get opportunities to spot many fascinating wildlife that reside in the park such as mammals, reptiles, birds, butterflies, all which gives them a good nature experience.
Butterfly sighting
The park is home to a large population of butterflies counting to over 30% of the butterfly species that do exist in the country. Arabuko Sokoke National Park offers cool atmospheres that allow breeding of the butterflies making it a perfect place for butterfly lovers. Visitors coming to the park for butterfly watching have a great opportunity to see different colored butterflies such as the mimetic, boloichila minima of the lycaenidea family, flying handkerchief butterflies, the charaxes blende of the nymphalidea family, amuris ochlea, danaus chritsippu alcipus among others.
Camping
The park offers thriving camping experiences, at its camping sites that is at the tree platforms, Nyari cliff which reward with the most specular atmosphere, which is cool for visitors. Visitors coming to the park for camping are advised to come along with their equipment like tents, chairs and spend a night with their families, friends while enjoying the campfires and natural wilderness of the reserve in one of the national parks in Kenya.
Best time to visit
Arabuko Sokoke national park is open to visitors all year around. However, the park receives humid coastal climatic conditions meaning its often hot. The best times to visit the park is between august and April for the most favorable conditions for all the park activities. Early morning or late afternoon as this is when the wildlife is most active, emerging from their dens and burrows where they escape the midday heat.
You should carry plenty of water and light clothes at any time of the year for a memorable experience.
How to get to arabuko Sokoke national park in Kenya.
Arabuko Sokoke national park is situated inland, approximately 110km north of Mombasa, between the coastal towns of Kilifi and Malindi. You can enter the park from its three entrance gates; Gede the main gate, Sokoke gate and Jilore gate.
By road
The park is accessible by a tarmac road from Mombasa along the b8 coastal highway to Malindi. The main gate is on a slight detour from the main road just 1km before reaching Watamua and gadi.
By air
visitors can also fly from Mombasa airport to Malindi using a domestic flight which is only 290km away from the park entrance gate. The flight journey takes less than an hour.
Where to stay
Arabuko Sokoke national park has a wide range of accommodation facilities that suit all budget tourists. These facilities range from luxury, mid-range and budget facilities. They offer a variety of experiences such as lodging facilities, restaurants, for different preferences and budgets. Some of the accommodations in the park include; Kipipeo butterfly house, turtle bay beach club, Watamu tree house, mid creek eco camp, Hemingway’s watamu among others.
Tucked away within the expansive arabuko Sokoke forest reserve, this national park is a hidden gem waiting to be uncovered. Although small in size, it’s a lifeline for them to thrive. Arabuko Sokoke national park is a hot spot for biodiversity, boasting an array of unique and endemic species, including the Clarke’s weaver and the golden-ramped elephant shrew.
As you venture into the unknown, our guided tours at vibrant holiday safaris will help you unravel the mysteries of this incredible destination. Explore the park’s dense thickets, teeming birdlife and breathtaking landscapes, and discover the natural beaty and ecological significance that makes arabuko Sokoke national park a must visit destination.
