Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest covers 420 square kilometres between Watamu and Kilifi, making it the largest surviving fragment of East African coastal forest. It harbours three globally threatened bird species — the Sokoke scops owl, Clarke's weaver, and the Amani sunbird — and is the primary habitat for the golden-rumped elephant shrew, a small mammal endemic to coastal Kenya. Guided nature walks depart from the forest station at dawn, when birding activity peaks and chances of seeing the nocturnal Sokoke scops owl at its roost are highest. The Kipepeo Butterfly Project on the forest edge works with local communities to farm and export tropical butterflies, offering a vivid demonstration of conservation-linked livelihoods.