In Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, 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 between May-July. Considered the second most important African forest for its bird conservation value, over 260 species of bird have been recorded in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. 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 the Clarke's weaver, are all endemic to the area.

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' Centre is open daily for information and forest guide bookings. The best times to visit the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest are between July and September and December to April.

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest was proclaimed a Crown Forest and gazetted in 1943 in the colonial days. In 1977 it was further protected as a Forest Reserve, and in 1991 a small part was ranked National Park, mainly to protect two rare mammal species bordering extinction, the Ader's duiker and the yellow-rumped elephant shrew, as well as six bird species.

When the park was gazetted, in 1991, native residents were largely dissatisfied, since the forest was a block to the agricultural development of land resources that could perhaps help relief the region's battered economy. A survey revealed that 96% of the locals were unhappy with the presence of the forest and 54% supported its complete elimination.

Land hunger, scarce availability of resources and crop raid by wildlife posed an uncertain furture for a world unique natural space. Initiatives undertaken since then have made the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest one outstanding model of sustainable development. Aiming at the balance between forest resources utilisation and conservation, the Forest Department and Kenya Wildlife Service joined to launch the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Management Team (ASFMT).

The goal of this group is to avoid the abuse of forest stretches for shortsighted uses on behalf of local communities, pursuing at the same time a role for the forest as a booster of the region's economy. Another initiative is the the Kipepeo Butterfly Farm Project that has enabled the community identify a new source of livelihood to the extent that in 1998, when a new survey was done, it revealed that 84% of the locals now supported forest conservation.