The
park is located in Arabuko Sokoke Forest, which lies on the coast of Kenya,
North of Mombasa. The forest covers 420sqkm and the park covers 6sqkm. The park
was gazetted in 1980s, and continues to be a protected area, both for wildlife
and birds. The park’s flora and fauna have been the biggest attractors to the
park.
How to access the park
There
are two ways or means one can use to gain access in the park and that is, road
and air transport.
Road transport, the park lies
between Malindi and Kalifi towns. These are accessible by all means. One needs
to go through Mombasa town, which is 75km to the park. As for air transport, one needs to land in
Malindi and Mombasa airport then proceed with road transport to the park. A 4WD
vehicle is highly recommended for the landscape in the park.
Things to take on your trip
It’s
advisable for a tourist to be well equipped with what is required and also
other items for emergency cases. Generally, a trip to this park, one would need
to have camping equipment, long sleeved shirts or garments, long trousers,
sunglasses, sunscreens, a hat, light rain coat, water proof backpack, water
proof hiking shoes, gardening gloves, a camera, binoculars, drinking water-
preferably packed, and other clothes.
When to Visit
The
park and the forest experience hot and dry season and wet seasons. The period
from March to June register long rains and November to December, short rains
are received. The other months of the year are dry and hot. The best time to
visit the park is from July-September and January-February which are the dry
most of the time.
Dry season
The
dry season is a perfect time for watching wild animals. They are easy to spot
during this time, for grass is short, and besides, they gather around rivers
for water, thus are easy to track.
Still
in the same period trails in the park are easy to pass through, thus favoring
nature walk safaris. Even the roads to the park are passable without the rains.
The
dry period is a busy season for the park. Also accommodation places are busy
and crowded. Therefore tourists are advised to do early booking to get the best
out of their trip.
It
should be noted however that during dry period clear visions might be affected
by haze in the park.
Wet Season
The
first wet season (November –December) is the peak period for bird watching.
Migratory birds come to the park during this time. Thus, bird watchers should
target it.
The
best views of the park can be seen during this period. Due to rain, the grass
is all green, trees and plants are at their best, with flowers, is such a
wonderful scenery.
Wildlife
can still be seen in the park during period of short rains. Wildlife in water
is best seen during this time.
During
this season, it’s a low period in the park, so rates of tickets, and at places
of accommodation are generally low compared to the dry season.
The
period however can disorganize a lot of tourism activities in the park
especially during the long rains. Visitors will be forced to keep indoors.
Roads can be impassable and tails in the forest can be slippery and muddy.
Things to do
The
park has been a touring ground of all time and there several activities that
tourists should engage in to have a wonderful time at the park. The best that
you can’t miss are as below.
Bird watching
The
park has over 230 species of birds at its disposal. Among these are migratory
birds and the rare bird species. With the pair of binoculars that you packed,
you will be able to see these flying creatures clearly. These are more seen in
huge numbers during the early stages of the wet season. On trees, in grazing
grounds, these birds will be visible.
Game watching
Viewing
wildlife is another exciting activity in this park. Guided tours are arranged
for tourists, especially during day, in the morning or evening hours for a
specified period of time, according to the day’s plan, to explore the whole
area in search of wildlife in the area. On these tours tourists not only see
wildlife but also adventure the park and see birds and park’s vegetation.
Nature walks
Safaris
walks is another wonderful activity in the park. Sometimes nature needs to be
appreciated and experienced while on foot. Guided tourists take walks in and
around the park for adventure. In the forest there’re trails created to be used
when exploring the area. These trails lead to different parts of the forest and
he park. While on a walk safari one needs to look out for wildlife, birds and
the unique species of plants.
Biking
This
is also a common activity and worth a try. There tourists who prefer a safari
on a bike. Trails for bikers are also present in the park. It also gives an
opportunity to a tourist to enjoy and explore the whole area while on a bike.
However if someone is to go deep, it’s advisable to have a group and a guide to
tag along.
Attractions
The
park has been able to standout, receiving visitors year in a year out for the
attractions it possesses that pull tourists like a magnet. Below are the
must-see things in the park
Wildlife
The
park has a large number of elephants, the likes of savanna elephants, golden
rumped elephant strew, bushbucks, water bucks, Ader’s duiker, sokoke bushy
tailed mongoose, African buffalos, African civets, primates like baboons, skyes
monkeys, vervet monkeys, among others. These can be enjoyed on game drives,
walk safaris among others especially in the dry season where they concentrate
around water bodies for water.
Birds
The
230 species of birds are worth a visit to the park. The likes of sokoke pitit,
Amani sunbird, sokoke scops owl, East coast akalat, spotted ground thrush,
clerker’s weaver, are among the rarest birds and can only be seen in the this
small park. Other birds like crab plover, fisher’s turacos, golden woodpeckers,
sparrows, eagles, among others will be at your sight. These are better seen in
the wet season.
Arabuko Sosoke Forest
Reserve
The
nearest adventurous place is this forest. It covers over 420sqkm and is the
largest coastal forest in East Africa. The forest is made up miombo woodland,
plants and different tree species, green vegetation and it harbors most of the
mammals especially monkeys and birds of the park. This huge area is worth a
visit and besides, what you will see will be rewarding to you.
If
you admire beauty then you will also need to look out for the butterfly species
in the forest. Over 263 lie in the park. The sight of these will make you
appreciate nature.
Accommodation
The
park is one of the smallest places of wildlife conservation and doesn’t have so
many places close to it. Close to the park will be found in Watamu, Malindi and
Kalifi. However the available places offer accommodation in categories and
provide different facilities and activities to tourists.
Villas Watamu
Resort
Lies
15km from Arabuko Sokoke forest. It is a wonderful place to enjoy. It lies not
so far from other sites in the area like the Ruins of Gedi, the snake farm
among others. Has over 14 furnished rooms, has a restaurant, for lunch
breakfast, dinner, free Wi-Fi, bar, swimming pool, among others.
Eagle Camp Mida
Creek
This
is a paradise for birds. It lies 8km from Arabuko Sosoke forest. Caters for
visitors 24 hours, the have guest rooms, family, queen beds, double, king size,
among others. The have restaurant, bar, outdoor picnic space, among others.
Kitsapu Cottages
Located
at the edge of the forest, along Malindi Garissa highway. Offers spacious
affordable accommodation, has a restaurant, bar, and offers exciting activities
to visitors.
Merry Crab Cove
Beach Resort.
Lies
11km from Arabuko forest, is a relaxing ground from a long nature walk. It has
free Wi-Fi, self-contained spacious rooms with king size beds, double beds and
a romantic suit. It has a restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, has a
bar, and one enjoys wonderful views of the sea.
Turtle Bay Beach
Club
Also located 14km from Arabuko Sokoke forest, has self-contained rooms, with twin beds, double beds, spacious, and with good service. It’s a midrange accommodation. It has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, among other services.
Hemingways Watamu
Luxurious accommodation, offers 24 hours
wonderful service. Is located 14km from Arabuko Sosoke forest, offers self-
contained rooms, with king size beds, the place is very spacious and one can
spend quality me time. It has a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, spa, among
others.
The park’s
attractions and activities done have satisfied visitors all the time. They have
come to understand that the size of the park doesn’t matter but what it has to
display is what matters.
