Kiunga Marine National Reserve Kenya : Kiunga Marine National Reserve is renowned as an enchanted underwater World, located further north along Kenya’s beautiful Indian Ocean coast of Lamu District, Coast Province, Kenya. More so, the reserve covers an area of over 270 square kilometers of its low land and it cover an area with approximately 50 calcareous offshores Islands and coral reefs in the in the Lamu Archipelago. Visitors who visit park on during their holidays have high chances to view the teeming sea life in the Coral reefs, sea grass and extensive mangrove forests which are a refuge for sea turtles and dugongs. The park borders the Boni and Dodori National Reserves.
Note : This reserve was established in 1979 and governed by Kenya Wildlife Service.
Climate :
Since the park is located along the coast experiencing humid annual temperatures that ranges from 22 to 34 degrees Celsius. It usually received rainfall which is about 500 millimeter/year. More to that, the park is situated at an altitude of 30 meters above ‘’MSL’’.
The outer Islands of the reserve is home many seabirds- some of species nesting here includes; roseate, tern, sooty, gull, white-cheeked tern, bridled tern and brown node among others.
Key Features About Kiunga Marine National Park;
The key features about kiunga marine national park include; Coral reefs, Sand dune, Coral reefs, Sand dune, Kiwayu Island
Attractions in Kiunga Marine National Reserve
Marine life in the reserve include;
Reptiles /fish: Sea Turtles, Olive Ridley, Leather back, Turtles, Reef fish
Insect/arthropods; Lusters, Sea urchins, Sea star, Crabs, Mosquito
Birdlife; The reserve boosts with many of sea birds in large nesting colonies and globally significant in numbers of crab plovers as well as nesting species like the roseate tern, sooty gull, brown node, bridled tern many more.
Kiwayu Island
The Island is quite an impressive Island that lies around 10km long and on average only about 500 wide. It sounds as a sand spit, with mangrove forests and a small village in the landward lagoon, abroad sandy beach and some modest reefs on the ocean side to beautiful area while on Kenyan Safaris
Lamu Archipelago;
The Kiunga National reserve is also part of the Lamu Archipelago and act as a cluster of hot low-lying desert Islands that run for some other 60 Kilometers parallel to the coastline of northern Kenya. More to that, Lamu is an historical site that has survived for over one thousand-year-old civilization; however, it was found by the Arab in the seventh century for trade in ivory, horn, rhino, slaves among others. Currently it acted as a beautiful showcase for the traditional Swahili culture, bustling, historic town and the attractive pristine beaches in Africa.
Activities in Kiunga Marine National Reserve;
There is a great ideal opportunity to adventure in around such as Wind surfing, diving and snorkeling, waters skiing and Sunbathing among others.
Diving
This is quite an exciting experienced swimming activity involving the use of self contains underwater breathing apparatus – the reserve offers stunning diving sites for visitors to enjoy this gorgeous activity and the equipment for diving can be hired at the park.
Snorkeling
The snorkeling activity is full of fun and excitement as you get yourself in right gear to enter underwater and get to enjoy swimming in the clear water and have great view of marine life which is fascinating.
Sun bathing
Sun bathing is quite amazing experience done outside along sand beaches of marine reserve.
Water surfing
Water surfing is a surface water sort which can be combined of surfing and sailing along the waters.
Water Skiing
Water Skiing is a surface water sport in which an individual is pulled behind a boat over a body of water, skimming the surface in the marine by the tourists.
Best time to visit Kiunga Marine National Reserve;
The reserve can be visited throughout the year by the tourists because Kenya’s coastal waters are ever warm, so diving without a wet suit which is also interesting.
Accommodations in Kiunga Marine National Reserve
Well, there is no worry where to stay during your night holiday tour at Kiunga Marine National Reserve, because the park hosts perfect Campsites and Lodges to enjoy your overnight stay in the amidst of wilderness, including Munira Island Camp and Kiwayu Safari Village. Lodges/hotels like Hawthorn Suites, Hotel Marines Court, Hotel Radhe, Temple Guest House many more.
Park Entrance Fees – Kiunga National Reserve;
Kenya citizens adult pay KSH130, children pay USD125KSH and foreign resident adult pay KSH130, children pay 125KSH and non-resident pay USD17 and non-resident children pay USD 13 per Person.
How to get there;
By Roads; Kiunga National Park is a remote, unspoilt village on the mainland about 150kilometers east of Lamu.
By Airstrips; One at Dodori N. Reserve
By Sea; From Lamu visitors can get to Kiwayu Island by dhow or Speedboat.
Take a visit to Kiunga Marine National Reserve and be able to enjoy a gainful view of the teeming sea life in the coral reefs, sea grass and the mangrove forests which are a refuge for sea turtles and dugongs. Well, get started now to great ideal opportunities such as; Surfing, diving, water skiing, Snorkeling, Sunbathing among others, which can be combined with a visit to Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
