The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is
the largest surviving dry coastal forest in East Africa and is situated
only 7km inland from Watamu and 18km southwest from Malindi on the Kenya
Coast. The forest covers an area of approximately 400 sq. km and is
composed of three distinctly different forest habitats: mixed lowland
forest, open Brachystegia woodland and dense Cynometra forest.
The Forest provides a unique
and important habitat for a number of endemic and endangered birds,
insects and mammals. The forest has a small population of elephant,
buffalo and six species of small antelope, one of which, the
Ader's Duiker, is globally endangered. Mongoose, bush babies and genet
cat can sometimes be seen at night, while the Caracal and the endangered
Golden-Rumped Elephant Shrew are often visible during the day. Baboons
and Sykes Monkeys are often visible.
Butterflies are abundant in the
forest especially during the rainy season, with one third of Kenya's 870
species being found here.
Our thanks to Melinda and Arbuko-Sokoke
National Park for allowing these links but please visit their
website to see further the valuable work being undertaken.
