Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve

Very happy birding

This was my second time in Arabuko Sokoke forest. I especially went there for the owl's.
My guide was very good, knew all the birds, made sounds to lure them and overall it was one of my better birdwalks in Kenya. ( a lot)
I did book a room in Mida Eco Camp to be in Arabuko as soon as it opened in the next morning.
The owl's made my day !
[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RiniqueNet/media/Kenya/Birds%20in%20Kenya/uil.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o586/RiniqueNet/Kenya/Birds%20in%20Kenya/uil.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

A once in a life time experience.

We were maybe just extremely lucky but in mammals we saw the Golden Rump ElephantShrew (4x), an Adlers Duiker another Suni(?) Shrews and a civet.
The bird experience was amazing: We saw the Amani sunbird; Sokoke Pipit; Sokoke Scops Owl; Forest weaver; Woodpeckers; Spotted Ground Thrush Bee-eater; as well as a number of horn bills and black kites.
Our experience in the forest started at 6 in the morning and we left the forest the afternoon. The guide assisted me a lot to follow the Pipit until I got a photo of it. The photo of the Amani Sunbird also clear to identify the bird but the distance was quite far.
I would recommend anybody to go very early and be very patient and prepared to walk long distances in hot and humid conditions.

This is not a park but only the natural forest exists between Malindi and Watamu

It is an ancient rainforest not yet destroyed
The natural forest is inhabited by locals residents. There are the ancient ruins of the city of Gede.
The area that I have visited is located at coordinates: 3 ° 17 '05 ", 18 S 40 ° 01' 39", 50 E. Here is an "agriturismo" (Kenyan Natural Village) recently built called "Tishi's farm".
The forest is easily accessible along the road that leads to Malindi Watamu.
The main road is in good condition, the landscape and climate are typical of the coast of Kenya.
There aren't wild animals such as lions, rhinos, gazelles, zebras, etc..

We were very disappointed. I think you need to hire a proper guide to get the best out of this park, which we rarely do. The coast is lovely though.

We visited the park at wrong time, midday ! But we were lucky to see some rare species. Do not visit at this time, go there very early in the morning or at the end of the day to watch and hear a lot of Birds. Arabuko is very difficult to see, inform yourself before at the office reception of the park
We found a very nice guide at the park for 2 hours walking arround.