Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve – This is a small east African coastal remnant forest (c.372km2) with over 230 species. It is situated some 25km south of Malindi. Species of interest here are: Green Barbet, Eastern Nicator, Mangrove Kingfisher, Eastern Bearded Scrub-Robin, East Coast Akalat, Tambourine Dove, Trumpeter Hornbill, Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, Green-backed Woodpecker, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Black-headed Apalis, Peter’s Twinspot and Black-bellied Glossy Starling. One could also be lucky to see the following: Spotted Ground Thrush, Clarke’s Weaver (Kenyan endemic), Fischer’s Turaco, Sokoke Pipit, Sokoke Scops Owl and Amani Sunbird. The forest also has wildlife of interest like the endemic Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew. Elephant, Sykes’ and Yellow Baboon can also be seen.

Gedi Monument is a national monument situated 19km south of Malindi. It has similar birds with Arabuko-Sokoke. However, it’s famous for Spinetail, a swift known to nest in the unused walls of this ruined city of Islamic origin. Other birds expected here are: Green Pigeon, Brown-headed Parrot, Dark-backed Weaver, Scaly Babbler, Narina’s Trogon, Crowned Hornbill and Mouse-colored Sunbird. The rare Spotted Ground Thrush has been recorded here too.

Mida Creek is found in northern coastline of Kenya at Watamu south of Malindi. A tidal inlet, it’s East Africa’s largest creek and an important passage and wintering ground for thousands of Palaearctic migrant shorebirds amidst several other species in the surrounding terrestrial habitats and the mangrove forest. Her main habitat includes an extensive mangrove forests, shallow waters, and huge areas of mud flats at low tides. During migration period (Sept.-May), being the best time for Mida, you can expect to see the following: Yellow-billed Stork, Roseate Tern, Clab Plover, Tereki Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Sandplovers, Greater Flamingo, Mangrove Kingfisher, Dimorphic Egret, Curlew Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Little Stint, Greenshank, Whimbrel, and Sanderling. Others: Carmine Bee-eater, Scaly Babbler, and Mouse-colored Sunbird. This diversity of birds is coupled with an astonishing 260m-suspension boardwalk through the mangrove canopy that leads you to a hide where both bird watching and photography are best combined. Dues collected from entry fee contribute to a local education bursary scheme that supports education for children at both primary and secondary schools. One can also enjoy rides on traditional dugout canoes, Arabic dhows, or modern motorboats into the creek’s waters.

Lake Chem Chem are small inland marshy seasonal pools that exists as an oxbow lake in the lower parts of River Sabaki near Malindi. They normally fill up with water during wet seasons as so do birds. Though little visited, the site has both terrestrial birds and waterfowls. During the rainy season, the Lake fills with water attracting big numbers of waterfowls. Birds expected here are; Long-tailed Cormorant, African Darter, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Dwarf Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Common Squacco Heron, Madagascar Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Goliath Heron, Black Heron, African Open-billed Stork, Glossy Ibis, African Spoonbill, White-backed Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, White-faced Whistling Duck, Knob-billed Duck, African Pygmy Goose, Kittlitz’s Plover, Common Ringed Plover, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, Lesser Jacana, Allen’s Gallinule, Lesser Moorhen, Wood Sandpiper, White-winged Black Tern, Madagascar Bee-eater, Carmine Bee-eater, White-throated Bee-eater, Malachite Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, African Paradise Flycatcher, and Lesser Swamp Warbler.