Kenya Parks
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.
Arabuko Sokoke protects the largest remaining tract of coastal forest in East Africa. The reserve is mainly a bird-watching destination, and several endemics and near-endemics can be found here. The forest is a magical place to spend a couple of hours – and a welcome refuge from the coastal heat – but don’t expect to see any of the big safari animals.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
The Forest Reserve is home to a big variety of wildlife, but most of it isn’t very visible to visitors. There are some elephants and buffalo, but you are very unlikely to encounter them. Of greater interest are the three endemic mammals: Ader’s duiker, Sokoke bushy-tailed mongoose and the golden-rumped elephant shrew. Troops of yellow baboons are a common sight.
Scenery
The reserve’s main habitat is coastal dry forest. The ecosystem comprises of three forest types: mixed forest; miombo woodland (lovely for walking, with its open canopy); and cynometra (tropical forest), each of which is home to different animal species. There are several forest-fringed ponds with waterlilies along the trails as well as some viewpoints over the canopy.
Weather & Climate
Arabuko Sokoke doubles up on its dry and wet periods. There are two drier seasons (December to March and June to September) – a hotter one at the start of the year and a cooler one mid-year. In between are the ‘long rains’ of April and May, when storms are common, and the ‘short rains’ of October and November.
Best Time To Visit
You can visit Arabuko Sokoke year-round. The rain will test your stamina and perseverance on forest hikes in the wetter months, but you’ll have lots more birds as well as frogs for company. Alternatively, visit in the drier months, when the sunshine makes getting around that much more pleasant.
