Excursions from Malindi / Watamu
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is East Africa's largest surviving, dry coastal forest, situated only 7 km inland from Watamu and 18 km southwest from Malindi on the Kenya Coast.
The Forest covers an area of approximately 400 square km and is composed of three distinctly different forest habitats: mixed lowland forest, open Brachystegia woodland and dense Cynometra forest, providing a unique and important habitat for a number of endemic and endangered birds, insects and mammals.
A small population of elephant, buffalo and six species of small antelope, including the globally endangered Ader's Duiker, can be found in the Forest. Mongoose, bush babies and genet cat can sometimes be seen at night, while the caracal and the endangered golden-rumped elephant shrew are often visible during the day. Baboons and Sykes monkeys are often spotted.
One third of Kenya's 870 butterfly species are abundant in the Forest, especially during the rainy season (May-July).
Considered the second most important African forest for its bird conservation value, over 260 bird species have been recorded in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. All endemic to the area, the Forest is a global stronghold for one Globally Endangered species, the spotted ground thrush, and five Globally Threatened species of birds, the Sokoke Scops owl, Sokoke pipit, east coast akalat, Amani sunbird and Clarke's weaver. The Forest is also home to a large number of bird species restricted to the coastal area, such as the green barbet, Fisher's turaco and southern banded snake eagle.
Well-trained and knowledgeable local guides are available to take visitors on educational walks. There are over 40 km of rough driving tracks and a network of walking paths to explore. A well-equipped Visitors Center is open daily for information and forest guide bookings.
Butterfly Farm
The Kipepeo Project butterfly farm was set up in 1993 to help farmers earn money from the nearby Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and its unique biodiversity. This compensates in part for the damage that elephants and baboons cause to farmers' crops, and helps to alleviate poverty in the area
Kipepeo become economically self-sustaining and was formally handed over to the National Museums of Kenya in 2001. Kipepeo (Swahili for butterfly) is a community based enterprise that supports the livelihoods of people living around Arabuko Sokoke forest in coastal Kenya, East Africa. This provides an incentive for their participation in the conservation of a forest with high biodiversity and endemism. Kipepeo seeks to demonstrate the tangible link between conservation and livelihood.
Farmers who live next to the forest collect tiny butterfly larvae (caterpillars) from the Kipepeo Project. They raise the caterpillars on leaves from forest trees; a very small, sustainable harvest. When the caterpillars change into pupae (the resting stage in the life of a butterfly), the farmers sell the pupae to Kipepeo.
The Project then ships the pupae to live butterfly displays in Europe and North America. The butterflies hatch from their pupae soon after arrival. Kipepeo Project is open every day of the year to visitors. It is located within the grounds of the Gede Ruins National Monument, about 20 km south of Malindi in Coast Province.
The Gede Ruins
This is probably the best known historic site on the Coast, with the possible exception of Fort Jesus. Located just a half a kilometre from Gede village and easily accessible by foot from the matatu “stage” at Gede, the Ruins are well worth a visit. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times, avoiding the heat of the day.
The Gede Ruins date back to the thirteenth century and are one of the best preserved of a series of Arab settlements along the coast of Kenya. Of particular interest are the Palace which has been extensively excavated, the nearby Great Mosque and the Tomb of the Fluted Pillar. The Dated Tomb gives a positive indication of the year, A.H. 802, which translates to 1399 A.D. The Palace was quite a sophisticated development with a rudimentary water system and even “flush” loos. At the peak of prosperity Gede had a population of over 2,500 people.
It is well worth straying from the central Palace area and taking a walk around the old city walls along the nature trail. Many old gates and mosques can be seen, as well as a good variety of wildlife, if you are quiet. In the late afternoon it is decidedly spooky and it is not surprising that the locals believe the place to be haunted.
The ruins are under the management of the National Museums of Kenya who charge a small entry fee. The guide book by James Kirkman is a very good buy. There is a small museum at the entrance, which is also worth a visit.
Hell's Kitchen
If you fancy a bit of an expedition into the back of beyond, this can provide a most interesting morning out. We mean “morning”, because during the heat of the day this place lives up to its name! It is quite a trip – between 1½ and 2 hours, depending on the road.
You will be rewarded by views of a miniature grand canyon with spectacular r ock towers and cliff faces. It is well worth hiring one of the local guides to take you down to the bottom and do a bit of exploring. Take a bottle of water with you and take care – the way down can be tricky.
The bottom of the “canyon” is littered with iron nodules, which give a clue as to how the rock formations – really just an eroded hillside – came to be created. Archaeologists have recently discovered evidence of primitive iron smelting by the Sabaki River, not too far distant.
It is not hard to imagine early man collecting these nodules, scraping holes in the hillside to get at more of them, ever deeper, then erosion taking place during the rainy season and the caves collapsing. Hard upper layers, softer lower layers overlaying the iron stratum, heavy rain every year and “Bingo” – we have our own Grand Canyon.
Mida Creek
Mida Creek is a large tidal inlet extending over 32 square kilometres. The tidal entry is at Temple Point at the southern end of Watamu and the main channel goes inland for about 6 kms. then takes a turn north east towards Gede. At the far end of the navigable channel are Sita Ruins, which are thought to be the old sea port for Gede.
More than half of the area of the Creek is covered by mangroves, which are a major breeding ground for many of the reef fish and some pelagics. There are numerous tidal inlets through the mangrove forests and it is fun to explore them by boat or just swimming.
Mida is a major breeding ground for many species of Northern migratory bird, including the rare Crab Plover. The inland end of the Creek has extensive mud flats and in the breeding season these teem with all manner of species of waders. There is also a resident population of Greater Flamingo as well as Yellow-billed Stork, and Egrets can usually be seen in the mangroves.
The best place to view all this activity is from the bird hide at the north end of the Creek. The hide is accessed by a boardwalk suspended on steel ropes through the mangroves and is in itself worthy of a visit – not for those of a nervous disposition!
The best time to visit is late afternoon, ideally when this coincides with an incoming tide. Our staff will be able to arrange your trip and advise of the best times depending on the daily tides.
