It
is also known as Mpunguti Marine National Park. The park is a two in one.
Kisite covers over 11sqkm and Mpunguti reserve covers 28sqkm. It lies on
Kenya’s coast in the south, close to Shimoni and Wasini Island in Kwale
District, it’s also near the border of Tanzania. The park is surrounded by four
Islands though small, with coral reefs. The park was reserved to protect marine
life. It accommodates a number of them, and sea birds. There quite many
activities to enjoy and attractions that will take your breath away. Some of
the Marine life include, dolphins, whale sharks, green see turtles, groupers,
snappers, anger fish, butterfly fish, scorpion fish, puffer fish, and humpback
whales, among others.
How to Access
the park
The
park is located in the coast province in Kenya. The closest city is Mombasa. It
can be accessed by road and after the main road, you take a boat. It lies 500km
from Nairobi and 90km from Mombasa. By boat its 5km offshore at the Jetty. One
can also use a ferry to the southern parts of the park.
What to go with
On
top of your necessities, it’s advisable you pack sunglasses, a hat, contact
lenses, camera, and binoculars. Some equipment can be hired.
When to Visit
The
park has average temperatures between 21-33degrees Celsius and average rainfall.
It can be enjoyed throughout the year although some months are outstanding
compared to others. For a wonderful time in the park, one should visit during
dry season (June-October and January to February) than the wet season (November
– December and March-May).
During
the dry season, the waters are very clear and tourists enjoy views of the
marine life clearly.
Still
in the same season, the temperatures are perfect for diving, swimming,
snorkeling, boat drives, among others.
Whales
can be spotted between August and October.
In
the wet season, waters aren’t clear enough and some activities can’t be enjoyed
like boat drives, watching marine life. It can be challenging.
Things to do
The
wonderful park is a cool and relaxing place to view the marine life and
exploring the sea life. There many activities that bring excitement to tourists
in the area, but the best activities to enjoy are as below.
Diving
This
is one of the commonest activities at the park. It is most practiced by diving
experts, but there’s room for learners to participate in the activity. Tourists
wear protective wear and hit the water world. You will have a chance to see
most of the fish species. This activity is most practiced in the dry season.
Bird watching
The
park is a home for different species of birds. The activity is most enjoyed
during the rainy season where the residents of the park are joined by the
migratory birds from Europe. To enjoy this activity one needs to have a pair of
binoculars to have clear views of these sea birds.
Sun bathing
The
presence of water in the locality, gives opportunities of this activity.
However, one to enjoy this, he or she should visit one of the closest beaches
and have a wonderful time under the sun. It is so relaxing after a tour around
the place or after a long period of diving.
Viewing Marine
life
This
is the highlight of the park. The likes of dolphins, fish species, whale
species, and sea turtles will be at your disposal. Trips to view these unique creatures
and to have a feel of the place, this is a must do activity. You will also a
personal moment with these creatures, especially dolphins.
Snorkeling
This
is another must do activity. It is open for even first timers. It gives
tourists an opportunity to enjoy the ocean world and its creatures, and of
course have a wonderful experience, equipment can be hired.
Fishing
Fishing
in the conserved area is restricted, but there areas where tourists can enjoy
this activity. Tourists travel to Pemba Cannel that isn’t far away from the
park. You will get a chance of catching most of the common fish in the area.
The likes of kingfish, barracudas, marlin, and sail fish, among others will be
at your disposal. No worries of fishing equipment, it can be hired.
Boat cruising
There
is a wide range of opportunities for tourists to enjoy this activity. This is a
better way of exploring the whole area and watching marine life. Tourists can
visit the four islands and the park and see what they have at their disposal. As
you take on this tours, it might be a long one so it’s better for one to go
with packed lunch.
Swimming
Tourists
get an opportunity to swim back and forth to the reefs. There dhows anchor at
the rim of the reefs, between 4 and 8meters deep. These normally have
protective jackets that make it safe for even first time swimmers. It is so
nice seeing these reefs.
Attractions
If
you’re set to have a trip to this park, these are the unique and breathing features
that the park possesses.
Dolphins
The
friendly creatures can be found in the park. Tourists can even get a chance of
swimming with them. They are one of the fee creatures in water that can
tolerate humans. The park has over 70 species of dolphins. Come and have a
wonderful time with the likes of humpback, bottle nosed, spinner, among others.
Sea turtles
These
are about 200 species in the park. Divers have a great time with these sea
creatures. They are one of the ancient creatures of the sea. You will have a
chance to see their way of life, diet, and if you visit during March-October,
you might see some of the mating. They spend most of their time in water.
Sea birds
The
park has sea birds and also in the wet season, migratory birds visit the area.
Bird lovers and first time bird watchers shouldn’t miss sight of the different
species from Europe and nearby countries. Come and see these birds that are
said to live longer and having fewer young ones than normal birds. These can be
seen on shores of the and at different islands with the help of binoculars.
Whales
These
are seasonal creatures in the park since they migrate to other areas. They are
viewed in August – October. The views of these huge creatures is so rewarding,
that some tourists specifically visit the park to get views of these whales.
Coral reefs
The
park has over 65 species of coral reefs that tourists will get to see. Tourists
will enjoy better views of these during day, and in the dry season when waters
are clear. When enjoying a dive, or on a boat cruise, these views will be
amazing for the eyes. Look out for lilac blue, stag horn, brain, and mushroom, among
others.
The Shimoni
Slave Caves.
These
have survived for so many years. They are located near the Shimoni pier. They
have served as ‘Kayas’ sacred places of worship for the local community. In the
18th and 19th centuries, these caves acted as holding
centers for captured slaves, awaiting to be sold to Arabs during that time.
Spend time and pay a visit.
Accommodation
There
no hotels or lodges in the park, rather camping sites. These are perfect
accommodation areas for budget expenditure tourists. They provide accommodation
I form of tents, and private bathrooms.
Campsites
with the park include, Kenya Wildlife Service, where tourists do their cooking,
Shimoni Cottages, Wisini Island Guest House, and Mpunguti Campsite. These
arrange all activities in the park for tourists.
However,
there lodges and hotels beyond he park, that offer budget, midrange and luxury
accommodation. These include:
The Villa Luxury
Suites
Located
in Diani town,700m from Diani beach shopping center. It offers customized
luxury service and a number of facilities and activities to tourists.
Ocean Village
club
Located
in Diani beach area of Mombasa. The place is a peaceful relaxing ground. It has
garden, trees and dinning outside.
Shimoni Reef
Lodge
Lies
close to Shimoni village, has accommodation is form of cottages, private
setting, has a fully equipped kitchen, but private cooking can also be done.
They have a swimming pool, a bar among others.
The Blue Monkey
beach Cottages
Located
in Wasini, have guest houses, cottages, and lodges for accommodation. The place
is a paradise for monkeys, you will see wonderful views from your room.
Cottages are spacious and separated, with private bathrooms. Have solar power,
and other facilities.
The sands at
Chale Island
This
is a wondrous place, it has a beach for all water activities, has gardens, and
African touch of construction of their buildings. They have fully furnished
self- contained rooms and relaxing environment.
The park is a wonderful
place to visit for it has a lot of the unusual creatures in water that we don’t
get to see more often. It a park where tourists can enjoy all activities on
water. So once you visit, take time to have an experience of all these activities
for an amazing experience.
