Kiunga Marine National Reserve.
Kiunga Marine National Reserve is an enchanted underwater paradise, located along the Indian Ocean coast of Lamu districts in the province of Kenya. The reserve has a pristine ecosystem which incorporates a chain about 50 islands and coral reefs in the Lamu Archipelago. Tourists who visit this marine park can enjoy great view of teeming sea life in the coral reefs, sea grass as well as extensive mangrove forests which are shelter for sea turtles and dugongs. The reserve offers remarkable opportunities for wind surfing, diving, snorkeling, water skiing and sunbathing.
This is activity is full of excitement as you get ready in right gear to enter under water and get to enjoy swimming in clear water and the view for marine life is rewarding. The coral reefs are among the most outstanding ecosystems on earth, sheltering close to one million different types of unique marine life.
Habiting only in warm sea and are made by battalions of tiny polyps, miniscule sea anemone such creatures live together in colonies. Some can create a hard skeleton outside their bodies and it is for this reason why it eventually forms into stony coral. Coral are composed in many shapes, size and colours such as the open-branched stag’s horn coral, the pincushion looks like acropora coral, the wavy-branched as well as plate like the massively solid favia coral and convoluted brain coral.
Car Rental to Explore Kiunga Marine National reserve?
Planning to explore Kiunga Marine National Reserve requires you to book a strong reliable 4×4 Land Cruiser and 4×4 Africa doesn’t recommend Safari vans to Kiunga!
Don’t miss to undertake the Kenya Safari to visit Kiunga Marine National Reserve the home to the enjoy great view of teeming sea life in the coral reefs, sea grass as well as extensive mangrove forests which are shelter for sea turtles and dugongs. We do offer the best required car rental services to explore Kiunga . Check on the discounted rental deals to explore East Africa with 4×4 Africa.
Safari activities in Kiunga Marine National reserve.
The reserve is renowned for its beautiful scenery and marine water that shelters unique water species and amazing activities can be done along this marine park as follows; Water Skiing ,Snorkeling ,Diving ,Sun Bathing , Wind Surfing ,fishing and Birding.
Islands in the Stream
The national reserve is made up a chain of 50 coral island lying away 2kilomters offshore, but inshore of the fringing reef. They extend to the main lands of Dodori and Boni National Reserves. According to in its size, the islands are comprised of the old, eroded coral and refuge to lesser kudus, monkeys, bushbuck, porcupine and wild pig.
The national reserve is also part of the Lamu Archipelago, a cluster of hot low-lying desert islands that run for some other 60 kilometers parallel to the coastlines of northern Kenya. The Lamu has survived for over one thousand year old civilization, it was found by the Arabs in the seventh century for trade and thereafter in ivory, horn, rhino and slaves. For today it acts as a unique showcase for the traditional Swahili culture, bustling historic town and as attractive pristine beaches in Africa.
The Lamu Archipelago
Birding Watching
The reserve is a home to magnificent seabirds in large nesting colonies and globally significant numbers of crab plovers. Nesting species include roseate tern, sooty gull, white-cheeked tern, brown node and bridled tern.
The park has remarkable diving sites for traveler to enjoy this thrilled activity. The equipments for diving can be hired at the park.
Diving
Sunbathing
Travelers can do sunbathing along sand beaches of Marine Park which is quite amazing experience.
Where does Kiunga Marine national reserve fit into your Kenya adventure?
Kiunga Marine national Reserve hosts various tourist attractions which will blow your mind during your Kenya tour visit, attractions in the reserve include marine life, insects, vegetation, and birdlife among others.
The reserve inhabits reptiles/fish such as Sea Turtle, Reef fish, Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Turtles. Marine life include rubber fish ,butterfly fish ,zebra fish, and scorpion fish shimmer in the clear waters while hunting sharks, turtles ,rays and starfish prowl the reef in search for food. The moray eels likes hiding in holes while small crabs ,wrasses like spinny-finned fish and sharks lurk in the caves ,‘’sea urchins, brittle stars ,sea cucumbers and notable species of mollusk feed on algae alongside shifting clouds of tiny demoiselle fish.
Where to stay?
While at the reserve you can do camping, there is available stunning place for your camping. You can come with your camping requirement or else you camp with Munira Island camp. Lodges you can sleep in on your visit include Kiwayu Safari Village.
When to go to Kiunga Marine Reserve
For those coming to Kiunga Marine National Reserve to snorkel or dive, any time of year will do. However, monsoon winds pick up between April and July, meaning the waters are rough and visibility could be limited. The Kenyan coast is humid and temperature average between 22 and 35 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The area receives approximately 500 millimeters of rainfall per annum.
How to access Kiunga Marine National Reserve?
By Road
Kiunga Marine National Reserve lies in remote areas, unspoilt village on the mainland of about 150 kilometers east of Lamu.
By Air
Travelers can fly using domestic charter flight from Wilson Airport and flies you to the nearby reserve ‘’Dodori National Reserve. Then there you can be picked up by our tour guide and drives you to Marine park.
By sea
Another option, you can travel by sea from Lamu where you can get to Kiwayu Island by speed boat or dhow.