Arabuko Sokoke Forest Eco Tour /

Arabuko-Sokoke forest (41 600ha) is the largest single block of natural coastal forest remaining in East Africa. Its rich biodiversity includes a concentration of endemic and endangered flora and fauna.

On the African mainland the forest ranks second in bird conservation value, after the Congo rain forest, as home to six globally threatened taxa (Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke Scops Owl, Amani Sunbird, Sokoke Pipit, Spotted Ground Thrush and East Coast Akalat).

Of the fifty two mammal species found in the forest 3 are globally threatened (Golden Rumped Elephant Shrew, Bushy Tailed Mongoose and Aders Duiker). Diverse populations of reptiles and invertebrates are present, which include 250 recorded species of butterfly (4 are endemic). The forests conservation depends on its co-existance with the surrounding rapidly growing rural population that is hard pressed for land, jobs and income sources.

THE COMMUNITY

Over 100,000 people live in 50 villages adjacent to the Arabuko Sokoke forest. Most are small-scale subsistence farmers who utilize the forest for some of their livelihood requirements. The main food crops are maize, cassava and beans amid stands of cash crops of coconut and cashew nut trees.

In 1993 at the start of Kipepeo the community annual per capita income was US$ 50. Through the Kipepeo supported livelihoods most have doubled this per capita with the earnings ranging from USD 100 to USD 800 per year depending on their  individual efforts.

Producer Associations of mainly butterfly farmers and beekeepers participate in the management of nature-based enterprises at Kipepeo through the Market Place Committee that acts as its Board. The groups are also actively involved in forest protection, advocacy and awareness creation of the benefits of the nature based enterprises.

The project affects over 100 000 people in 50 villages around Arabuko Sokoke Forest. Approximately over 10,000 are directly involved in Nature Based enterprises e.g. Butterfly farming, Apiculture, Agro forestry, Aloe farming and Mushroom farming. The Butterfly farmers have been clustered into 26 community groups whose representatives interact with the project management through regular meetings where production, marketing and welfare issues are discussed. The project staff also visits members in the various villages on regular field visits.

Fostering an increased awareness & better understanding of the natural environment is one of the primary course of Kipepeo project, to achieve this goal the project extension work closely with teachers/students through its multi-faceted environmental education program.

KIPEPEO BUTTERFLY PROJECT

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.

Kipepeo sells high quality butterfly and moth pupae of a wide range of attractive species from Arabuko Sokoke. Some Kipepeo butterflies are also grown in other high biodiversity forests in the coast region such as the Shimba and Taita Hills.

The products are fairly priced, carefully packaged and delivered promptly.. We are expanding our insects product range to include praying mantids and other groups. Kipepeo also supplies dried insects for specialist collectors.