Destination Overview
Arabuko-Sokoke National Park could very well be Kenya’s best-kept secret. Thriving quietly in the shadow of Kenya’s heavyweights, Arabuko-Sokoke is the largest surviving slice of coastal forest in East Africa. About 100km (or 62 mi) north of Mombasa, this tiny 6 km² (about twice the area of Central Park in New York City) National Park is not only a birder's paradise but a naturalist's wonderland. For birders, Arabuko-Sokoke National Park is Kenya’s must-visit bucket-list destination. Arabuko-Sokoke National Park has no less than 6 endangered bird species, two of which are locally endemic and found nowhere else in the world. The highly localized Sokoke Scops Owl and the mysterious Clarke’s Weaver can both be found in the park. Add to this the globally threatened Amani sunbirds, Spotted ground thrush, Sokoke pipits, and East coast akalats and the challenging forest birding is well worth the effort.
In total, Arabuko-Sokoke National Park is home to over 230 bird species, as well as caracal, African civet, various duiker, two species of bushbaby, red-legged and red-bellied sun squirrel, aardvark, Syke’s Monkey, golden baboon, the occasional leopard, and several incredible butterflies. The park's flagship species, however, is the rare Golden-rumped sengi. 90% of these endearing, brightly colored elephant shrews' known population is found within the Arabuko-Sokoke forest.
