Which distance should I choose?

The 6km Elephant Screw Fun Run is a flat sandy loop for families, first-time runners, and walkers. The 9km Sokoke Scops Owl Community Run suits casual runners wanting a scenic, social-paced route. The 20km Elephant Trail Challenge is for committed trail runners ready for a longer, more immersive forest adventure.

What is the 'Jumbo Zone'?

Deeper into the 20km route, runners pass through an electric fence barrier into the Jumbo Zone, where elephant dung and other signs indicate the presence of elephants and buffalo that come to a nearby swamp for their evening drink.

Can I visit other attractions while I'm there?

Yes. Runners have the option of visiting the nearby Gedi Ruins, home to the Kipepeo Butterfly Project and a snake park, followed by lunch at a cultural centre hosted by members of the Waata and Giriama communities.

How do group, school, and corporate entries work?

School registration and Group/Team registration are both capped at a maximum of 10 participants. Corporate Entry requires the company name and a group of up to 10 people, with a Corporate Trophy awarded to the winning team.

Who organises this event, and who is Blaze Sports Marketing Agency?

Blaze Sports Marketing Agency serves as a marketing and storytelling partner for the event rather than the race organiser or operator. The event itself is run in partnership with organisations including Runagain, Pura Vida Sports Africa, SGA Security, Kenya Wildlife Service, and Kenya Forest Service.

Where and when can I collect my race kit?

Kit collection is available from Butah Gardens starting 15th October 2026, with additional collection points in Nairobi and Mombasa.

This event has passed

View upcoming events →

Trail RunPast

Arabuko Elephant Trail Run

Saturday, 17 October 2026

6:00 AM (Gates Open)

6k, 9k, 20k

About: 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, …more

About: 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.

KEFRI Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Gedi, Kilifi County

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)

6km, 9km, 20km

KES 1,500 (6km)→KES 3,500 (9km)→KES 5,000 (20km)→KES 15,000 (School Team)→KES 25,000 (Group/Team)→KES 100,000 (Corporate Entry)

Arabuko Elephant Trail Run

+254 780 170 135→marketing@arabukoelephanttrailrun.org

arabukoelephanttrailrun.org

Event Highlights

Runs through Arabuko Sokoke, the largest surviving fragment of East Africa's ancient coastal forest

Three distances catering from families to serious trail runners: 6km, 9km, and 20km

Over 100km of forest trails, home to 40+ mammal species and roughly 270 bird species

Route passes through the 'Jumbo Zone,' where elephant and buffalo activity is visible near a forest swamp

Optional post-race visit to the nearby Gedi Ruins, Kipepeo Butterfly Project, and snake park

2026 target of up to 1,500 runners and walkers

20km finishers get free entry to the Lake Turkana 5K Barefoot Run (27th March)

Running For

❤️

Arabuko Sokoke Forest Conservation & Community Development

Dedicated to wildlife conservation and community development around Arabuko Sokoke Forest, the largest surviving fragment of East Africa's ancient coastal forest. Proceeds and partnerships support forest conservation efforts alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service, and engagement with the local Waata and Giriama communities.

via Arabuko Elephant Trail Run, in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service

What's Included

Natural sandy forest trail with planned route marking

Marshal support and first-aid coverage on all routes

Finish festival with medals, awards, and music

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.

6:00 AMGates Open - village market, kit support, and guided warm-up zone

6:30 AM20km Flag-off - Elephant Trail Challenge begins

7:00 AM9km Flag-off - Sokoke Community Run takes to the trail

7:30 AM6km Flag-off - Elephant Screw Run takes to the trail

9:00 AM - 12:00 PMFinish Festival - medals, awards, music, and a conservation celebration

T-Shirt & Race Pack Pickup

Kit collection available from Butah Gardens from 15th October 2026, with Nairobi and Mombasa collection points also available.

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.

Open in Maps

Race Sponsors & Partners

RunagainBlaze Sports Marketing AgencyPura Vida Sports AfricaSGA SecurityKenya Wildlife ServiceKenya Forest Service

Did You Know?

🌍Arabuko Sokoke is the largest surviving fragment of East Africa's ancient coastal forest, spanning over 100km of forest trails across mixed forest, Brachystegia woodland, and Cynometra woodland.

🌍The forest is home to 40+ mammal species, including African elephants, buffalo, primates, and the endangered golden-rumped elephant shrew.

🌍Around 270 bird species live in the forest, including the endemic and rare Clarke's weaver and the Sokoke scops owl - making it a globally significant site for coastal birdlife.

🌍The historic Gedi Ruins lie beside the forest, with Watamu, Malindi, and Kenya's north coast bringing a natural travel and tourism audience to the event.

🌍The 2025 edition of the event took place on 18th October 2025, making 2026 its second running.