Bird watching at Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve
Bird watching at Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, being a tropical forest, with number of fruiting trees have been home to a number of bird species, hence attracting a number of bird watchers here, for the birding adventure, as the main tourist attraction, for those who love the winged ones.
The Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve is located on the coast of Kenya, 110 km north of Mombasa and is protected as a National Forest Reserve. This fascinating forest wilderness is nestled besides the beaches of Watamu, just minutes from the waters of the Indian Ocean.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve is found in Kenya’s coast in Kilifi County which is 260 miles square. The forest has more than 20% species of birds found in Kenya and also a vast of butterfly species.
The reserve is mainly a bird-watching destination, and several endemics and near-endemics can be found here. The forest is a magical place to spend a couple of hours – and a welcome refuge from the coastal heat – but don’t expect to see any of the big safaris animals.
It’s also home to about 270 bird species, among them the threatened Sokoke pipit and spotted ground thrush. The area is well-known for several globally threatened species, including Sokoke scops owl and Clarke’s weaver. Other sought after species that can be seen here include Sokoke pipit, Amani sunbird, and chestnut-fronted helmet-shrike. As always, forests don’t offer easy bird-watching, but the rewards of interesting species are plentiful here. Even non-birders will enjoy some of the more noticeable forest avifauna, including the trumpeter and silvery-cheeked hornbill.
Beautiful seasonal pools are hidden amongst the Miombo woodlands teeming with birds. From the four entrances to the park, nature trails and 4WD tracks cut through the forest. There are bird trails at Kararacha Pools and Spinetail Way, located 16km south of the main entrance, accessed via the Kararacha entrance. From the Mida entrance, a trail leads to the Whistling Duck Pools, a favorite gathering place of whistling ducks, open-billed storks, and grebes. A short trail leads north from the main entrance to the Treehouse, an excellent vantage point for spotting elephants who come to drink from a nearby lake; you may also spot them along the 4WD Elephant Track.
For the bird watching safari packages, to Kenya, get in touch with Enclose Africa Safari