Kiunga Marine National Reserve

Kiunga Marine National Reserve is famously known for its enchanted underwater world experience.  Kiunga National Reserve covers an area of approximately 100 square miles. The reserve is located along the Indian Ocean coast of Lamu district in the Coast province. Kiunga Marine National Reserve provides an ideal opportunity for sun-bathing, water skiing, diving, windsurfing, and snorkeling. Visitors can also enjoy viewing the seagrass, coral reefs, and the widespread mangrove forests which serve as a home for dugongs and sea turtles. Besides, the spectacular ecosystem encompasses a chain of nearly 50 calcareous offshore islands and coral reefs in the Lamu Archipelago.

The greatest attraction at Kiunga Marine National Reserve is marine life. The sea creatures you’re likely to encounter in large quantities include reptiles, dugongs,  fish like reef fish, and sea turtles such as leatherback and Olive Ridley. You have a higher chance of spotting most of these sea creatures during snorkeling. If you have tried this water sport activity yet, this is an excellent opportunity for you. At Kiunga Marine National Reserve, you also see arthropods such as the sea stars, sea urchins crabs, and lobsters. Bird lovers are also not left behind; there are too many seabirds at the reserve.

Similarly, the reserve conserves one of the most beautiful coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows. The coral reefs are quite fascinating since they shelter nearly most species at Kiunga Marine National Reserve. They come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. They include the massively solid Favia coral, the pincushion-like Acropora coral, the plate-like and wavy-branched pavona coral, the convoluted brain coral, and the open-branched stag’s horn coral. It’s the biodiversity at Kiunga Marine Reserve that makes it stand out as a unique tourist destination.

You can also do some island hopping at Kiunga Marine National Reserve and enjoy the startling scenery and stunning landscapes.  The islands have long, uninhabited beaches with gorgeous snorkeling just meters from the shore. They are also home to whales, dolphins, and the endangered and timid sea mammals like the dugong. Besides, numerous seabirds such as white-cheeked tern, roseate tern, brown node, sooty gull, and bridled tern are found here as well. Some boats take visitors to these islands of the reserve, particularly Kiwayu Island. You should definitely plan a trip to Kiunga Marine National Reserve; it’s a mind-blowing experience!

The two main accommodation sites are the privately-owned campsites & Lodges which include the Munira Island Camp and Kiwayu Safari Village. They offer remarkable services to visitors, and they are cost-friendly.

Charges

Park Entry fee

• Citizen Adults pay ksh 130 while children pay 125 ksh
• Resident adults pay 300 ksh while children pay 170 ksh
• Non-resident adults pay 17$ while children or students pay 13$.

Directions

Kiunga Marine National Reserve is situated 976 km from Nairobi and 372 km from Malindi town. The main ways to get to Kiunga Marine National Reserve is either by road, sea, or air. By sea from Lamu, you can get t Kiwayu island by a speedboat or dhow. Kiwayu Island is the only inhabited island that is included in the Kiunga Marine Reserve. There is also an airstrip at Dodori N. Reserve through which you can access the reserve via road. Kiunga is located 150km east of Lamu.