Nestled by the glorious Watamu beaches is the Arabuko Sokoke Forest. From the Indian Ocean, this jungle stretches to the Sabaki River which when combined with Athi and Galana Rivers becomes the second largest river in Kenya. Arabuko Sokoke is considered a unique habitat based on the array of flora and fauna found here. Of note, this forest holds the largest remaining section of coastal forest found on this side of Africa.
Inhabitant herds of buffaloes and elephants are occasionally spotted en route the Sabaki River using the forest as their desired path. The smaller kind of mammals in this Kenyan woodland are the golden-rumped elephant shrew species that are one of the rarest animals in the world and only found in the East African coasts. Please heed that this particular animal is the size of a rat and not an actual elephant but has a nose that looks similar to the larger mammal’s trunk. Another rare animal is the Ader’s Duiker, a forest antelope which with a little luck a visitor can get to see one directly on a forest path during a guided tour.
When it comes to birds and butterflies, the Arabuko Sokoke boasts of its several bird species – over 270 to be precise, including six endemic species. Most common in the forest is the Trumpeter Hornbill famous for its massive beak. Aquatic birds such as the African Jacana that search for prey while walking on floating vegetation, are ever present due to the forest’s aquatic location and ever-present rainfall. Other aqua birds include the African pygmy goose that’s known for its impressive courtship display and the African fish eagle that’s often on high branches crying evocatively.
The Arabuko Sokoke Forest is denser to its western end and in this section is where we find the endangered Sokoke Skopes owl. Other globally threatened bird species found in Arabuko-Sokoke include Amani sunbird, East Coast akalat, Sokoke pipit, and the spotted ground thrush. Many of these are found and observed regularly by visitors.
The forest also holds a significant past in Kenyan history. Within the forest is the former town of Gedi that was a private trading hub in the 13th century unbeknownst to the Portuguese invaders. Today, the former town is now known as the ruins of Gedi and lies among the trees of the forest but remain a reminder to a time before civilization.
Are you one of our history buffs who’s been to this coastal jungle? Or are you simply that photographer who has an eye from greenery? Post the photos below!
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