The Kenyan coast is known for its expansive, bewitching beaches and the calming sound of the Indian Ocean. However, a few kilometres inside the coastal ecosystem, sands dim their sparkle as they give rise to dense greenery and the coast’s best-kept secrets: Arabuko Sokoke Forest and Shimba Hills National Reserve.
These two ecosystems take pride in their unmatched floral diversity and unique habitats, attributes that pin them on the list of the 35 world biodiversity hotspots identified by Conservation International.
Arabuko Sokoke
The Arabuko Sokoke Forest, in particular, is the largest remaining fragment of the dense forests that once painted the East African coast with impenetrable green canopies. The forest was proclaimed a Crown Forest in 1932 before being officially gazetted in 1943, and later made a strict nature reserve whose biodiversity needed additional protection.
As the realm of remarkable flora, the Arabuko Sokoke is the perfect home for various fauna. Rare species, especially, are enticed by the charm and safety of the forest’s embrace. Key among them are the six varieties of butterflies endemic to the East African coast who reign in splendid beauty over here alongside near-endemic mammals.
Additionally, over 50 of Sokoke’s plant varieties are either nationally or globally rare, which makes it an exceptional assemblage for distinct bird species. It is a sanctum for a variety of endangered, vulnerable and regionally threatened birds. For this, Sokoke has been ranked by BirdLife International as the second most important forest for bird conservation in mainland Africa.
Shimba Hills National Reserve
The Shimba Hills National Reserve, on the other hand, is a biodiversity paradise of its own with a perfect blend of coastal rainforest, woodland, and grassland. This set of diverse biomes makes Shimba Hills an ecologically significant ecosystem hosting over 50% of the 159 rare plants found in Kenya.
Remarkably, the reserve is a core excerpt in Kenya’s conservation story: it is a safe home for the last herd of the endangered large ebony-coloured Sable Antelopes with curved horns. The presence of these Eastern Sables is the reason Shimba Hills bears the name: ‘The Paradise of the Sable Antelope.’
Coastal Bliss
Collectively, Arabuko Sokoke and Shimba Hills National Reserve flourish in greenery backdropped by the shimmering oceanic blue. Here, rain and shine combine forces in a harmonious collaboration to foster endemic biodiversity, pitching these coastal wonders on the UNESCO radar as strong natural heritage sites contenders.