Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park
The marine park is located on the south coast, 40km from Ukunda town in Msambeni District of coast province. 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. Sea grasses Cymodocea serrulata and Syringodium isoetifolium cover a large area of the sub-littoral zone of the reef. Marine algae include Padina commersonii, Dictyota bartayresiana, Bostrychia binderi, Ulva lactuca, Dictyosphaora sp., Udotea indica, and Halimeda opuntia. Major attractions include the Dolphins, coral gardens and it is an important site for snorkelling, diving and bird watching. The beautiful sandy beach is good for enviromental friendly recreational activities.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Snorkeling
Sunbathing
Recreational activities that are enviromentally friendly
Licenced filming
Bird watching
Dolphin Watch
Diving
Facts about Kisite mpunguti
The marine park is located on the south coast, 40km from Ukunda town in Msambeni District of coast province. 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. Sea grasses Cymodocea serrulata and Syringodium isoetifolium cover a large area of the sub-littoral zone of the reef. Marine algae include Padina commersonii, Dictyota bartayresiana, Bostrychia binderi, Ulva lactuca, Dictyosphaora sp., Udotea indica, and Halimeda opuntia. Major attractions include the Dolphins, coral gardens and it is an important site for snorkelling, diving and bird watching. The beautiful sandy beach is good for enviromental friendly recreational activities.
ACCESS
The park can only be reached by tour company boats and local community dhows. Kisite Marine Park, HQ situated at the mainland in Shimoni 200m south of the main Shimoni Pier.
ROADS
85 kms from Mombasa via Ukunda to Shimoni
Msambweni District, Coast Province. The Marine Park lies 6 Km off the Kenyan Coast (at Shimoni) and 8 Km North of the Tanzanian Border
SIZE / LOCATION
39sq km. (Kisite Park: 28km2. Mpunguti Reserve: 11km2).
CLIMATE
The Coast is humid with mean annual temperatures ranging from 22-34 C. rainfall is about 500mm pa.
SAFARI CARD REQUIRED?
At present the park does not operate on smart card system. Entry is by cash only (KSH or US$).
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU
Drinking water, picnic items and camping equipment if you intend to stay overnight at special camp site. Also useful are: binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and guidebooks
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Prestine Coral gardens
Kisite and Mpunguti Islands
Sandy islands formulate during low tide
Beautiful and special Sandy beach
Dolphin watch
Endermic coconut crab found at lower Mpunguti Island
Shimoni historical slave cafe Managed by local community while Kenya Wildlife Service provides Capacity building
Wasini Mangroove women boardwalk by Wasini women self help group while Kenya Wildlife Service provides Capacity building
MARINE LIFE
Comprises more than 250-recorded fish species,
Dolphins, Sea turtles, Whales, Corals, Sea grass, and Gastropods
BIRDS
Many Sea- birds in large nesting colonies and internationally significant number of crab-plover and roseate tern which are migratory from Europe coming to nest
WHERE TO STAY
In - Park Accommodation
There is Currently no accommodation in the reserve. Visitors can stay in Diani town which offers various accommodation options. There are lots of luxurious, comfortable and culturally rich hotels and lodges to choose from.
KWS Self – Catering Accommodation:
The Shimoni Bandas.
Camping site
Chlobus Campsite
Mpunguti Special Campsite honeymooners
Community accomodation:
The Shimoni gardens
Shimoni Reef Hotel
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Bird Watching
Snorkeling
Recreational activities that are enviromentally friendly
Sunbathing
Diving
Dolphin Watch
