Arabuko-sokoke forest lies a few kilometers inland on the Kenya coast, between the towns of Kilifi and Malindi and it is 110 km north of Mombasa city.It is the largest extant fragment of the forest that was once covered much of East Africa Coast, and whose remnants constitute the East Africa Coastal Endemic Bird Area.Arabuko-sokoke was proclaimed a crowned forest in 1932 and gazetted in 1943, covering an area of 39100 ha (Leon Bennun & Peter Njoroge,1999).
Arabuko-sokoke forest consist of three very distinctive forest type each with its unique flora and fauna. Mixed forest (7000 ha) in the east, on the grey sand.This habitat is relatively dense, tall and undifferentiated, with a diversity of tree species including; combretum schumannii, drypetes reticulata, Afzelia quanzensis among other vegetation.
On the second category is Brachystegia woodland covering about 7700 ha.It runs in a strip through approximate centre of the forest, on the white very infertile soil.This relatively open habitat is dominated by Brachystegia speciformis.
Thirdly, we have Cynometra forest and thicket dominate by Cynometra webberi, with Manilka sulcata and oldfieldia somalensis growing on top of red magarini sand. Six globally-threaten species live in this forest, among them are; Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke Scops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, Amani Sunbird, Southern-banded Snake Eagle, Spotted Ground Thrush, East Coast Akalat, Fisher’s Turaco , Plain-backed Sunbird and Little-yellow Flycatcher .
David Ngala is an exceptional guide and his services is a must for any self-respecting birder.
Kenya Birding 
Hello!
I’m a French birder and I am planning to visit Arabuko Sokoke in march of this year, hoping to see the Scops Owl in particular. I understand that Mr. David Ngala sadly passed away last year. Are there other local guides that I could get in touch with to see if they are available for guiding ?
Many thanks in advance,
Thibaud Aronson
Hi Thibaud,thanks for your comment and I hope you will have a fantastic trip to Kenya.In Arabuko sokoke,Willy Gombe will be of great help to you.For more information, drop me an email on: joe.aengwo@gmail.com.
Unfortunately, I got your reply too late, as I was already back home. But since I missed out on the Scops-owl, I’ll be back some day!