Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park A protected marine wilderness with four tiny islands and coral reefs, Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is situated on Mombasa’s south coast, not far from Wasini Island. Actually, the marine park is a combined protected area that includes Mpunguti Marine National Reserve’s over 11 square miles and Kisite Marine National Park’s over 4 square miles. While the three Mpunguti Islands (Juu, Chini, and Jiwe la Jahazi) are mostly covered in dense forest, Kisite Island is essentially a small, wooded coral island with great environmental value as an Avi-fauna nesting ground, notably for migrating crab plovers and roseate terns.
The Marine Park, which is located close to the Tanzanian border south of Wasini Island, offers outstanding access to the natural world. The marine park is well-known for its turtle population and for being the dolphins’ habitat. The Kenyan Barrier Reef, the enchanted underwater kingdom, Shimoni Pier, and the fantastic snorkeling and diving available are popular attractions that attracts visitors to this park. Furthermore, Kisite Island is a part of an Important Bird Area with a perfect environment for seabirds that supports breeding colonies and pelagic feeders.
The Marine Park is only accessible by boat and is open all year long. A transfer can be scheduled by guests through their hotel or a travel agency. Mombasa is about 90 kilometers away, whereas Nairobi, the country’s capital, is 574 kilometers away.
The park is home to 360 different fish species, over 45 different varieties of coral, grouper, wrasse, pufferfish, scorpionfish, damselfish, snapper, ray, turtle, and dolphin. In the deep park seas during specific times of the year, humpback whales and whale sharks can also be seen, while Mpunguti Chini Island is home to rare coconut crabs. The park offers an escape from the heat for those who want to swim, cool down, and with typical temperatures ranging from 70 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 33 Celsius), an average annual rainfall of 19 inches, and generally humid conditions.
What to do in Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park
What can you do or what are the things to do in Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park? Remember that Kenya is one of the African nations with a sea coastline—this park is the lovely Marine Park located on the Kenyan coast of the Indian Ocean. You will have the excellent opportunity to see dolphins on the safari to Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park, which is a truly memorable experience.
The park is home to the renowned Kisite Mpungu Island, a coastal location where tourists and visitors can go diving and snorkeling. More than 250 types of fish, 70 resident dolphins, 56 coral species, and more than 200 sea turtles are all found on this island. The Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park offers a variety of activities or a large number of things that visitors can do because of the fascinating sights and attractions available. Other things to do in The Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park includes:
Birding
The park’s bird species are particularly striking in the wet seasons when migrating birds from North Africa and Europe arrive to breed alongside the park’s resident birds. These aquatic birds are also visible during the rainy season, which is quite interesting.
Snorkeling
Swimming with dolphins, which is such an awesome and worthwhile experience, while being dressed in the appropriate equipment and appropriate clothing in the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean, is one of the exceptional experiences.
Enjoy your fishing excursions.
The Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park is home to a variety of fish species. More than 200 different fish species can be found in the area, including those caught while deep sea fishing with gear rented from the park headquarters.
The most beautiful vistas of marine life
This park showcases the marine fauna that may be viewed in the crystal-clear waters of the Mpunguti, including whale sharks, dolphins, parrotfish, triggerfish, hawksbill turtles, moray eels, angle fish, pufferfish, ray groupers, and humpback whales, among other animal species.
Sunbathing
You can visit the sun-worshipped beaches of the Magdalena coastal area, which offers panoramic views of the ocean shoreline, and enjoy the fascinating experience for yourself because this is where the sunbathing experience is so exciting.
Escorted walking safaris
This is a fantastic activity that allows visitors to stroll along the edges of the beach and get up close to stunning marine creatures like turtles. You can witness this spectacular marine life while out for a walk.
Safari boat rides
Enjoy the boat cruise safaris around the ocean, and tourists may take a boat cruise around the marine waters with a packed lunch box so they can sail while taking in the breathtaking sights of marine life, which offers a lot of excitement and makes for the best moments.
Sailing
Visitors who want to go sailing in the park should do so during the dry season when the water is clearer and better for viewing the fascinating marine life, which is very significant.
Best time to visit: When to Visit the Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park?
The best marine park is Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park, which is excellent to visit in the dry season, which in this location lasts from June to October and from December to February. When the water is clean, tourists can easily observe and take in the breathtaking vistas of marine life. Additionally, the dry season offers ideal conditions for a variety of pursuits like swimming, snorkeling, and boat excursions. In order to have a good experience, we at Focus East Africa Tours suggest our guests visit and explore the park during the dry season.
Visitors to the park are required to bring a variety of goods that will aid them throughout their safari experience, such as contact lenses, a pair of binoculars, a camera, a hat, and sunglasses.
Accommodations: where to stay in the Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park
While on a safari to this park, you can stay at a number of lodges and campsites, including Betty’s camp, Chobus campsites, Mpunguti campground, Waini Island guest, Shimoni Reef lodge, and many more.
