Arabuko Elephant Trail Run
Saturday, 17 October 2026 · 6:00 AM (Gates Open) | 6:30 AM (20km Flag-off) | 7:00 AM (9km Flag-off) | 7:30 AM (6km Flag-off) | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Finish Festival)
One day. Three experiences. One cause. A trail-running festival for runners, families, and conservation-minded travellers through the natural sandy paths of Arabuko Sokoke, East Africa's largest surviving fragment of ancient coastal forest. The run passes through the KWS-managed forest into the 'Jumbo Zone,' where elephant and buffalo signs mark the presence of the forest's wildlife, alongside over 230 bird species including the endemic Clarke's weaver and Sokoke scops owl.
2026 programme and timings are proposed for launch planning and remain subject to final race operations and permitting. All individual and group runners must fill in the registration form and select their group category.
Event Highlights
Running For
Race Fees
| Category | Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|
6km - Elephant Screw Fun Run For families, first-time runners and walkers seeking an accessible forest experience. Flat sandy loop, all ages welcome. | KES 1,500 | Available |
9km - Sokoke Scops Owl Community 9k For casual runners who want a social, scenic route through the forest's natural rhythm. Forest trail, social pace, run in partnership with CFAs. | KES 3,500 | Available |
20km - Elephant Trail Challenge For committed trail runners ready for a longer, more immersive natural-trail adventure. Includes individual bragging rights and free entry to the Lake Turkana 5K Barefoot Run (27th March). | KES 5,000 | Available |
School Registration Group registration for schools, max 10 participants. | KES 15,000 | Available |
Group/Team Registration Group or team registration, max 10 participants. | KES 25,000 | Available |
Corporate Entry Corporate team registration. Requires company name and group of up to 10 people. There will be a Corporate Trophy for the winning team. | KES 100,000 | Available |
What's Included
Race Distances
Pace Calculator
Event Schedule
All morning: local craft and food vendors, conservation education, kid-friendly activities, and guided nature walks for non-running guests. Programme timings are proposed for launch planning and remain subject to final race operations and permitting.
T-Shirt & Race Pack Pickup
Course Details
All three distances run on the natural sandy trails of Arabuko Sokoke Forest, starting near the KEFRI Arabuko Sokoke Forest station in Gedi. The 6km Elephant Screw Fun Run is a flat sandy loop suited to families and first-timers. The 9km Sokoke Scops Owl Community Run follows a scenic forest trail at a social pace. The 20km Elephant Trail Challenge pushes deeper into the forest, crossing through an electric fence barrier into the 'Jumbo Zone' where elephant and buffalo signs are common near a forest swamp used for evening drinking. All routes will have marshal support and first-aid coverage, with a Corporate Trophy awarded to the winning corporate team.
Getting There
The Arabuko Sokoke Forest KWS station is in Gedi, Kilifi County. From Kilifi town, it's about 44km via the B8, roughly 46 minutes depending on traffic - head onto the B8, then turn right at Gede Stage onto Gede Watamu Road, followed by a right onto Old Malindi-Mombasa Road to reach the station. From Malindi, it's a shorter 17.9km, about 31 minutes via the C103 to the B8, continuing onto Gede Watamu Road.
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2026 programme and timings are proposed for launch planning and remain subject to final race operations and permitting. All individual and group runners must fill in the registration form and select their group category.