Tourist activities at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park
Tourist activities at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park : The Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park was created to safeguard the picturesque islands and unique habitats of a variety of rare marine species as well as breeding migratory birds. It is a stunning, sun-kissed park. It is located in the coral gardens to the south of Wasini Island and consists of three small islands with a coral rag forest and significant portions of bordering reef on each. One of the best places on the coast for snorkelling is Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park. The “home of Dolphins” is how people refer to the marine park.
This fantastic marine park offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, such as;
Birdwatching and Scuba diving
Kisite Island is an important bird area because it’s a flat, treeless hard rise with grass updates surrounded by sandy beaches that are exposed at low tide. It’s also a great habitat for pelagic feeders and an ideal breeding area for roseate and sooty terns (July to September). Scuba diving is available here for both novices and experts, with diving sites ranging from 2 m (6 ft) to 32 m (100 ft).
Snorkelling
Kisite is among the best places along the coast for snorkelling. Snorkelling is best done two hours before or after low tide, when there is more activity from the marine life. But early in the morning, when the sea is quiet, is the ideal time to visit. Additionally, go snorkelling in the stunningly beautiful blue ocean.
Shimoni caves
Situated in a sleepy fishing community, the nearby ancient coral caves have long been revered by the locals as “Kayas,” or hallowed places of prayer. But history and fate have added a sinister side to this peaceful place. The caves were used as holding facilities for abolitionists in route to Zanzibar’s slave markets in the 18th and 19th centuries. Your admission money goes towards supporting local instructors’ salaries as well as underprivileged students’ tuition. The slaves were housed here prior to sailing to the marketplaces of Zanzibar.
Camping
Adventure seekers have always flocked here in the warmer months to savour the beach camping experience alongside a bonfire. For individuals who would love to go camping, there are many resorts with camping areas. You can bring your own tents or rent one from the resorts and motels along the coast for a few dollars.
Sunbathing
One of the most fascinating things to do is to sit on the beach and take advantage of the warm, bright sun. This gives you a chance to de-stress, pamper yourself, and enjoy the beach life while sipping wine or beer and reflecting on a vacation well-spent.
Boat trips
Prepare your packed lunch and set off to explore the sea. You will visit many islands and the surrounding shore. Take a chance to visit some of the bird breeding places and breathe in the magnificent sea air. Seeing the dolphins was an incredibly amazing experience. It’s important to utilise your camera quickly because they frequently arrived and vanished in a matter of seconds.
Fishing
There are more than 200 different kinds of fish in the sea. You might choose to go deep sea fishing or accompany the neighbourhood fisherman on their regular fishing expedition. You can get all the equipment you need to go out and enjoy this amazing maritime adventure.
Dhow cruising
Taking the boat ride, particularly if you enjoy adventure, is something you won’t regret once you start seeing dolphins. At first, the waves terrify you.
How to get to Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is situated in Kwale district on the south Kenyan coast, close to the Tanzanian border, south of Wasini Island and off the coast of Shimoni. The route to Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park is as follows. The complex encompasses a marine region that features four charmingly designed islands surrounded by living coral gardens.
Kisite Island is a small coral island located 8 km offshore in the Marine Park that lacks water. At low tide, the raised middle portion’s coral platforms are visible. The three additional coral islets in the park, Mpunguti ya Juu, Mpunguti ya Chini, and Liwe la Jahazi, are covered in scrub and do not have any noteworthy wildlife or bird populations. They are located closer to the larger Wasini Island.
Among all Kenyan marine parks, Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park is regarded as the most exquisite. It is made up of four small islands encircled by coral reefs and occupies an area of 39 km². Dolphins (bottlenose and humpback), sea turtles (mostly green and hawksbill), sea birds, and an abundance of coral fish are among the main draws. When they migrate from July to October, humpback whales may be seen with some luck.
The reefs, small islands, and aquatic life of this dynamic reserve can be explored on a dhow tour, which departs from Mombasa, a coastal city, and is even closer to Diani Beach.
Only by boat is it possible to access the park, generally with a trip on a classic dhow. From Mombasa and Diani Beach, two coastal resorts, you can schedule a tour with Kenya Safaris Tours.
Wildlife and marine life in Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park
The Kenya Wildlife Service is in charge of the park, which is located 6 km off the coast of Kenya and features stunning coral reefs and a diverse array of marine species. The island is closed off from Tanzania’s border and lies south of Kenya’s shore. The Kenya Wildlife Services maintains the Marine National Park, which is home to a variety of stunning creatures including fish, sea turtles, colourful corals, and reefs. As pure and blue as the sea is, so too is the experience here.
Home of Dolphins
The Kisite Marine Park, which is unspoiled, stunning, and sun-kissed, was created to save the picturesque islands, unique habitats, and migratory birds that breed there. It is located in the coral gardens to the south of Wasini Island and consists of three small islands with a coral rag forest and significant portions of bordering reef on each. Kisite is among the best places along the coast for snorkelling. In addition, diving, bird watching, and sunbathing are available to visitors.
Dolphins, turtles, many fish, and seabirds can be found in the protected sanctuary of coral reefs and small islands that is Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park.The marine park’s underwater scenery is incredibly vibrant and colourful. A rainbow of little fish, octopuses, and clams can be found in the water.
There is an abundance of marine life, which includes dolphins, green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, triggerfish, moray eels, angelfish, butterflyfish, groupers, parrotfish, wrasses, scorpionfish, pufferfish, damselfish, rays, and snappers. Whale sharks and humpback whales have seasonal movements. It comprises roughly 140 catalogued individuals, 70 resident dolphins, over 250 recorded fish species, whales, sea turtles, 56 types of corals, sea grass, and gastropods. Numerous seabirds in extensive breeding colonies, together with noteworthy numbers of roseate terns and crab-plovers on a global scale. From July to September, roseate and sooty terns breed well there, and pelagic feeders find it to be an excellent habitat
