Arabuka Sokoko National Park Kenya, Arabuka Sokoko Safari in Kenya, Wildlife Kenya Safari, Kenya Tour. When to visit Kenya, Attractions in Arabuka Sokoko National Park, how to get there and accommodation in Arabuka Sokoko National Park. Arabuko Sokoke Forest National Park is a small sized park of about 6 square kilometers, but extremely endowed Kenya Safari Park that lies 110km north of Mombasa in Kalifi district on the coast of Kenya.

The Park is under the Arabuko Sokoke forest reserve which is the largest tropical forest with an area of 420 square kilometers on the East African coast. It is a superb area for wildlife with rare species of mammals, reptiles and birds. It is a remarkable destination to see rare bird species like Sokoke Pipit, Golden Woodpecker, Amani Sunbird, Fischer Turaco, Clarkes weaver, among others.

History of Arabuka Sokoko National Park Kenya

Arabuko Sokoke National park was gazetted as a National park in the late 1980s and it straddles the forest reserve boundary with about 50 percent lying outside the boundary and the outer section lies outside an electric fence and is now the local communities which are fully inhabiting it to the extent that there is no sign to distinguish where the National park begins or ends.

On the other hand, the forest reserve was first protected as a crown forest in the year of 1943 and later in the 1960s it was gazetted as a forest reserve and its being protected and managed by the Kenya wildlife service, National museums of Kenya, the Kenya Forest Research Institute and the Kenya Forest service.

Kenya Safari Attractions in Arabuko Sokoke forest National park, Arabuka Sokoko National Park

Vegetation as a Kenya Safari Attraction in Arabuko Sokoke forest National park

This forest park holds 3 forest types each protecting different population of flora and fauna or communities of plants and animals, they include the mixed forest, Brachystegia and Cynometra. And connects to the Mida Creek, a shorebird wintering mangrove forest that inhabits rare birds species such as the Terek sandpiper and the crab plover.

Arabuko-Sokoke forest national park is worth visit because it is home to the rare reptiles like the bunty’s dwarf toad, green mamba, boomslang, rock python, sand lizards, forest cobra and day geullo. It also nests many butterflies, amphibians, unique tree and plant species.

Wildlife as a Kenya Safari Attraction in Arabuko Sokoke forest National park

The Arabuko Sokoke forest is a home to different endemic mammals and birds because it is an area of high endemism and it protects many near endemic species and the animal species include the golden rumped elephant shrew, an endemic elephant shrew the size of a rabbit which is the most noticeable of the park’s mammals, Aders’s duiker, Sokoke bushy tailed mongoose, Savannah elephants, African civets, vervet monkeys and baboons.

Bird life as a Kenya Safari Attraction in Arabuko Sokoke forest National park

The National park is also a home to different bird species which include the Sokoke scops owl, Sokoke pipit, spotted ground thrust, and the Amani sunbird which are only found here in the Arabuko Sokoke National park and the Clarke’s weaver which is completely endemic to the forest within the National park.

Plant life as a Kenya Safari Attraction in Arabuko Sokoke Forest National park

This magnificent forest is made up of 3 types of charming forest each accommodating various species of birds, reptiles, and mammals; that is the Cynometra forest which is thick and covers most of the Arabuko Sokoke forest reserve, the Miombo woodland also known as Brachystiga whose trees are hairy with an open canopy, Miombo woodland inhabits various species of birds and butterflies with good trails which enhances the birding experience. And the mixed forest whose dense vegetation create a conducive atmosphere during the traverse walks and drives in search for attractions.

Kenya Safari Activities in Arabuko Sokoke Forest National park, Arabuka Sokoko National Park

Birding as a Kenya Safari Activity in Arabuko Sokoke Forest National park

Kenya`s Arabuko Sokoke Forest National park is an outstanding birding safari destination with a variety of lively and endangered birds. the National park is a home to over 300 bird species which include the Sokoke Pipit, Amani Sunbird, Fishers Turaco, Clarkes weaver, Golden Woodpecker. Arabuko-Sokoke is one of the most important forest birds with six internationally endangered and species of concern.  The Southern banded snake eagle, Akalat, Clarke`s weaver, Plain backed sunbird, Dkatcha woodland, white Sokoke Scops Owl, among others are all known from Arabuko-Sokoke National forest park.

Game Viewing as a Kenya Safari Activity in Arabuko Sokoke Forest National park

Arabuko-Sokoke National Park is rich in biodiversity with over 40 different species of mammals especially herbivores like the African Elephant, African Civet, Sykes’ Caracal, African Buffalo, Yellow Baboons, bush baby/Galago. Never the less, some the most endangered mammals are found here including the Golden-rumped elephant-shrew, Sokoke Bushy-tailed Mangoose and Ader`s duiker.

Accessibility of Aruboke Sokoke Forest National park, Arabuka Sokoko National Park

Arabuko-Sokoke National park is found 110km from the north of Mombasa in Kalifi district along the Mombasa-Malindi highway. The rod is clearly signposted and visitor services are available at the Park gate. It is about 18km from the old town of Malindi and therefore one can use either private of public vehicles to access the park. There are also charter flights which operate between Nairobi and Mombasa airports and Malindi.

Where to stay in Arabuko Sokoke National Park

 Arabuko Jamil villas

Arabuko Jamil villas a community owned tourist facility, which is adjacent to Arabuko-Sokoke forest.

Jonjoloka House

The Jonjoloka House is situated on two acres of the exotic and indigenous tropical plants and it accommodates up to eight visitors. The House is comprised of;

• A restaurant
• 8 rooms
• En suite bathroom
• A veranda
• Swimming pool
• Up stirs terrace

Kitsapu cottages

These cottages are located along Malindi Garissa highway bordering the forest which is found 2kilometers from Gede Forest station.