To the south, it borders the Southern Zanzibar–Inhambane coastal forest mosaic across the Lukuledi River.

The genera Hirtella and Hymenaea are native to the Zanzibar-Inhambane region and to the tropical Americas, and are not found elsewhere in Africa.

Four endemic species are found in mainland coastal forest remnants – the little yellow flycatcher (Erythrocercus holochlorus), Sokoke pipit (Anthus sokokensis), Clarke's weaver (Ploceus golandi), and Mombasa woodpecker (Campethera mombassica).

The Malindi pipit (Anthus melindae) is endemic to the coastal grasslands in Kenya.

[4] The ecoregion corresponds to the East African coastal forests endemic bird area.