Watamu
About 24 km to the south of Malindi lies Watamu, a small fishing village that is sheltered behind three separate coves divided from one another by eroded limestone Islands. At low tide each of the bays becomes a broad wide strand and it is possible to walk to the nearby islands and take a swim on the way in the crystal clear turqoise sea. Despite major development of the surroundings of Watamu into holiday resorts and private beach bungalows, the original village is still the centre of local fishermen and their boats with their characteristic sails adds great charm to the beautiful lagoon.
Watamu beach seen from the rooftop of one of the guesthouses in Watamu. Originally Watamu was just a small fishing village but during the past 20-30 years many new houses have been built and a big supermarket in Watamu now caters for the needs of wealthy visitors
Watamu has wonderful beaches and it has a very laid back atmosphere – perfect for a relaxing holiday. Also there are many interesting places to visit if you want to explore; Mida Creek, Arabuko_Sokoke Forest, Gede Ruins and other attractions on the coast are within easy access from Watamu. Also you can walk about 3 km down the beach (or take a boda boda along the road) where you will reach the end of the peninsula forming the entrance/exit of a large bay leading to Mida Creek.
Limestone formations, carved by the sea into shapes of a mushroom stands exposed off Watamu beach at low tide. The above image is a long exposure at night while the whole scene was lit by the moon
At 420 square km the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is the largest remaining tract of indigenous coastal forest remaing in East Africa. A small part of the forest was gazetted as a National Park in the late 1980s and the forest as a whole was gazetted as an International Heritage Site in 2002. The forest contains three forest types, mixed forest, Brachystegia and Cynometra, each of which protects different communities of flora and fauna. The signature animal for the Arabuko-Sokoke forest is the endemic and charming little golden-rumped elephant Shrew and in the forest you also have the chance to see forest elephants, African civets, baboons and vervet monkeys as well as many other species of mammals. Actually the Arabuko-Sokoke forest contains an unusually high concentration of endemic species and Clarke’s weaver is found nowhere else in the world. All in all there are some 240 species of birds including the beautiful miniature Sokoke Scops owl, only 15 cm high and this unique forest also boasts an impressive 260 species of butterflies.
Arabuko-Sokoke forest is the largest remaining tract of indigenous coastal forest in East Africa
If you want to visit the forest, the entrance is only 10 km by road from Watamu. There is a visitor centre at Gede Forest Station and from here there are a series of nature trails cut through the forest. Early mornings are recommendable for visits as it is the best time of the day to spot the wildlife and also it quickly becomes very hot and humid later in the day.
Mida Creek
The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest adjoins Mida Creek, a mangrove forest that is an important wintering ground for shorebirds including species such as the Terek Sandpiper, the Crab Plover and the Flamingo being one of the areas most prominent species. The mangroves also gives shelter for large colonies of breeding fishes and is therefore of vital importance in order to sustain a healthy ecosystem of the Ocean. Boat trips to Mida creek in glass bottom boats can be arranged in Watamu and via the hotels.
Tags:
Arabuko-Sokoke forest,
Mida Creek,
Watamu
Sunny20°Creal feel: 23°Ccurrent pressure: 1024 mbhumidity: 59%wind speed: 2 m/s Wwind gusts: 1 m/ssunrise: 6:28sunset: 18:34
Watamu
About 24 km to the south of Malindi lies Watamu, a small fishing village that is sheltered behind three separate coves divided from one another by eroded limestone Islands. At low tide each of the bays becomes a broad wide strand and it is possible to walk to the nearby islands and take a swim on the way in the crystal clear turqoise sea. Despite major development of the surroundings of Watamu into holiday resorts and private beach bungalows, the original village is still the centre of local fishermen and their boats with their characteristic sails adds great charm to the beautiful lagoon.
Watamu beach seen from the rooftop of one of the guesthouses in Watamu. Originally Watamu was just a small fishing village but during the past 20-30 years many new houses have been built and a big supermarket in Watamu now caters for the needs of wealthy visitors
Watamu has wonderful beaches and it has a very laid back atmosphere – perfect for a relaxing holiday. Also there are many interesting places to visit if you want to explore; Mida Creek, Arabuko_Sokoke Forest, Gede Ruins and other attractions on the coast are within easy access from Watamu. Also you can walk about 3 km down the beach (or take a boda boda along the road) where you will reach the end of the peninsula forming the entrance/exit of a large bay leading to Mida Creek.
Limestone formations, carved by the sea into shapes of a mushroom stands exposed off Watamu beach at low tide. The above image is a long exposure at night while the whole scene was lit by the moon
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
At 420 square km the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is the largest remaining tract of indigenous coastal forest remaing in East Africa. A small part of the forest was gazetted as a National Park in the late 1980s and the forest as a whole was gazetted as an International Heritage Site in 2002. The forest contains three forest types, mixed forest, Brachystegia and Cynometra, each of which protects different communities of flora and fauna. The signature animal for the Arabuko-Sokoke forest is the endemic and charming little golden-rumped elephant Shrew and in the forest you also have the chance to see forest elephants, African civets, baboons and vervet monkeys as well as many other species of mammals. Actually the Arabuko-Sokoke forest contains an unusually high concentration of endemic species and Clarke’s weaver is found nowhere else in the world. All in all there are some 240 species of birds including the beautiful miniature Sokoke Scops owl, only 15 cm high and this unique forest also boasts an impressive 260 species of butterflies.
Arabuko-Sokoke forest is the largest remaining tract of indigenous coastal forest in East Africa
If you want to visit the forest, the entrance is only 10 km by road from Watamu. There is a visitor centre at Gede Forest Station and from here there are a series of nature trails cut through the forest. Early mornings are recommendable for visits as it is the best time of the day to spot the wildlife and also it quickly becomes very hot and humid later in the day.
Mida Creek
The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest adjoins Mida Creek, a mangrove forest that is an important wintering ground for shorebirds including species such as the Terek Sandpiper, the Crab Plover and the Flamingo being one of the areas most prominent species. The mangroves also gives shelter for large colonies of breeding fishes and is therefore of vital importance in order to sustain a healthy ecosystem of the Ocean. Boat trips to Mida creek in glass bottom boats can be arranged in Watamu and via the hotels.