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Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park & Reserve Overview, Hotels, Lodges and Contacts

A Guide To Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park

The ecosystem covers a marine area with four small islands surrounded by coral-reef. Kisite island is covered in low grass and herbs while Mpunguti Islands have dense coastal equatorial forest. Major attractions include the dolphins, coral gardens and it is an important site for snorkelling, diving and bird watching.

Attractions in Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park & Reserve

The Kenyan Barrier Reef
The most outstanding feature of the Kenyan coast, the pristine and well-developed coral barrier reef extends all the way from Shimoni in the South to Malindi in the North, without significant break, except at the mouths of the rivers. The coral reefs referred to as the rainforests of the sea, are one of the most fascinating ecosystems on earth, sheltering nearly one million types of marine life.
Enchanted Underwater Kingdom
An enchanted realm of living coral gardens, sculpted islands, wheeling seabirds and sparklingly clear waters, this world famous Marine Park promises an underwater world of unbelievable color and vibrancy. The reef provides food and shelter for an entire marine community. A shifting rainbow of small fish, octopus and clams hide in the gaps between the rainbow coral; celestial-blue parrotfish use their hard beaks to chew off lumps of coral while a kaleidoscope of soup plate sized snappers, rubber fish, Sergeant major fish, butterfly fish, angel fish and scorpion fish shimmer in the sunlight of the clear waters. Hunting rays, turtles, 1 meter long reef sharks and starfish also prowl the reef in search of prey while moray eels hide in holes alongside small crabs and wrasses (long, spiny-finned fish). Sea cucumbers, brittle stars and numerous species of mollusk also feed on algae of these warm coastal waters. Kisite Mpunguti Marine protected area features 252 species of reef fish, about 56 genera of hard corals, 2 common species of sea grass and numerous sponges.
Turtle Territory
The Park is famous for its population of turtles: Green and Hawksbill turltes normally spotted in their hang out , Kijamba cha Kasa.
Dolphin and Whale Spotting
The reef offers sanctuary to over 200 dolphins (spinner, humpback and bottle-nosed), which can be encountered as single individuals or mostly in pods of 2-25 individuals breaking above the waves. If you are fortunate enough to visit between July and December, you’ll have a chance to spot Humpback whales, which raise their calves in our warm waters, and migratory Whale sharks (the world’s largest fish).
Kisite Island, Realm of the Seabirds
Kisite Island is an Important Bird Area (IBA). IBAs are globally important habitats for conservation of bird populations. Kisite is a flat, treeless rocky outcrop with many patches of grass and surrounded by a magical sandy beach that’s exposed during low tide. This makes an ideal seabird habitat supporting the pelagic-feeders and breeding colonies of roseate and sooty terns commonly arriving to breed in July and leave with their fledglings from September.every year.
Divers and Snorkellers Paradise
Due to its warm shallow waters, exceptional clarity, pristine coral and extraordinary breadth of marine life, the Park and the Reserve offer an excellent dive sites for beginners and professionals. The warm clear waters, spectacular soft corals and kaleidoscopic marine life make this Park one of the finest snorkeling sites in East Africa. The most popular areas lying in the main coral garden towards the outer edge of the Kisite anchorage area are clearly marked with mooring buoys
The Shimoni Slave Caves
Only five minutes walk from Shimoni Pier and well worthy a visit, are the ancient coral caves of Shimoni. They are vast and some portions are filled with fruit and insect feeding bats. Shimoni caves are reputed to extend 5 km inland connecting to the 3 sisters caves. These caves served for centuries as ‘Kayas’ or sacred sites of worship and sanctuary for the local community. Later in the 18th and 19th century, the caves are also believed to have served as the holding areas for the thousands of captured slaves who were in transit to the infamous Arabian slave markets of Zanzibar. The caves, which are run as a community project, are open from 8.30am to 6pm (a small entrance fee is payable at the gate and the moneys collected pay local teachers in primary schools and school fees for needy children).
*Visitor Tip: The best time to snorkel is two hours either side of low tide, when the greatest amount of marine life is revealed. However, its always best to visit Kisite early in the morning when the sea in calm.

How to get to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park

  • Location: Kwale District, Coast Province. The Marine Park lies 11 kms off the Kenyan Coast (at Shimoni) and 8 kms north of the Tanzanian boarder.
  • Distance from Nairobi: 574 kms.
  • Distance from Mombasa: 90 kms

* The Park can only be reached by boat. Contact the KWS warden (Kisite Marine National Park, KWS HQ is 200 meters south of the main Shimoni Pier) or your hotel or local travel agent.

Accommodation and hotels in Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park & Reserve

 KWS Self Catering

  1. Shimoni Cottages

Campsites in Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park & Reserve

  1. Chlobus Campsite
  2. Mpunguti Campsite

Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park & Reserve fees

Citizen
Adults KSH: 250
Child KSH: 150
Resident
Adults KSH: 350
Child KSH: 200
Non – Resident
Adults USD:25
Child USD: 15

Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park Contacts

Attraction Type: Beach & Marine, Wildlife, Beach & Marine
Category: Marine Park, Birding Site, Coral Reef
Region: Coast
City / Town: Shimoni
Telephone: 254 40 52027
Email: kisite@kws.go.ke
Website: http://www.kws.org/parks/parks_reserves/KMNP.html
Entrance Fee: Yes

More About Kenya

Kenya is a world unto itself. Kenya is Africa’s original safari destination, attracting explorers, adventurers, and travelers for centuries. A safari to Kenya is a trip of a lifetime.

Tourist Attractions in Kenya:

Kenya has one of the world’s greatest tourist attractions sites, known for its diversity of landscape, wildlife, and cultures. From sweeping savannahs to tropical beaches and coral reef, dense equatorial forests to mighty snow-capped mountains, and more.

For more information visit: Tourists Attractions in Kenya

Kenya Safari

Kenya is the ultimate safari destination, providing travelers with a window into the heart of Africa. But this is not all that Kenya has to offer. Located near the equator, Kenya´s magic lies in the fact that the country encompasses an astounding variety of landscapes and climates, flora and fauna, as well as communities and cultures, home to water sports, a swim with dolphins and adventure.

For more information visit: Kenya Safari

Hotels and Accommodation in Kenya

Hotels in Kenya vary enormously in price and facilities. Luxury hotels in Kenya offer excellent standards of service and are comparable to the best hotels anywhere in the world. Kenya’s abundance of natural produce, combined with the rich variety of cultures and traditions, has created a great culinary nation.

The fertile volcanic soil of the Rift Valley produces a bounty of fresh vegetables, while the coast is a great source of tropical fruit and fresh seafood. The Kenyan coast is also the home of the world-renowned Swahili cuisine, a blend of Middle Eastern and African cooking with a particular coastal twist.

For more information visit: Hotels in Kenya

Towns in Kenya

Apart from the towns of Nairobi , Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru, Kenya has other major towns each a unique representation of the country’s striking abundance in flora and fauna. Most of these towns are headquarters in their respective counties or major economic bases in their regions. Luxury hotels and lodges located here provide good accommodation and conferencing facilities for guests who dare to try out a taste different from the capital or the coast.

For more information visit: Towns in Kenya

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The Kenyan People Culture and Tradition

Kenya’s culture blends together diverse tribes, traditions, and religions into one beautiful, well-woven tapestry.  These traditions complement each other while incorporating the modern influences of globalization – resulting in a vibrant cultural spirit that is uniquely Kenyan. Kenya has over 42 different tribes with different languages and several dialects. Kenyan tourism has made the Maasai and Samburu tribes the most famous because of their long preserved culture.

For more information visit: Kenya People and Tribes

Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park

 

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