Kiunga Marine National Reserve

The reserve incorporates a chain of about 50 calcareous offshore islands and coral reefs in the Lamu Archipelago, running for some 60 km parallel to the coast in northern Kenya and adjacent to Dodori and Boni National Reserves. 

 

Composed of old, eroded coral, the islands lie around 2 km offshore and inshore of the fringing reef. They vary in size from a few hundred square metres to 100 hectares or more. Their walls rise sheer from the surrounding seabed and are usually deeply undercut on the landward side. 

 

The larger islands and the more sheltered inner islands are covered with low, tangled thorny vegetation including grass, aloes and creepers. The outer islands provide nest sites for migratory seabirds. The reserve conserves valuable coral reefs, sea grass meadows and mangrove forests, with their attendant biodiversity and is also a refuge for sea turtles and dugongs.

 

Climatic conditions - The coast is humid with mean annual temperatures ranging from 22-34°C. Rainfall is about 500 mm per annum

 

Major Attraction - Coral reefs, sand dune, Kiwayu Island

 

Wildlife - Reptiles/fish: sea turtles, olive ridley and leatherback turtles, reef fish, Insects/arthropods: lobsters, sea urchins, sea star, crabs

 

Access - Roads, Kiunga is a remote, unspoilt village on the mainland about 150 km east of Lamu. Airstrips, One at Dodori N. Reserve. By Sea: from Lamu access to Kiwayu Island by dhow or speedboat

 

Accommodation - There is currently no accommodation in the reserve

 

Best time to visit - All year round