KISITE MPUNGUTI MARINE PARK EXPERIENCE WITH AFRICANMECCA

Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is a protected marine wilderness of coral reefs and four small islands that are located in the south coast of Mombasa close to Wasini Island. The marine park is actually a combined protected area of the over 4 square miles of Kisite Marine National Park and almost 11 square miles of Mpunguti Marine National Reserve. Kisite Island is primarily a small, undergrowth coral island with significant environmental value as avi-fauna breeding grounds, especially for migrating crab plovers and roseate terns, while the tri Mpunguti Islands (Juu, Chini and Liwe la Jahazi) are largely covered with dense forest.

More than 45 types of coral and 360 fish species have been identified within the park, such as grouper, wrasse, pufferfish, scorpionfish, damselfish, snapper, ray, as well turtle and dolphin. During certain times of the year, humpback whale and whale shark may also be spotted in the deep park waters and Mpunguti Chini Island is where you will find endemic coconut crabs. With average temperatures ranging from 70 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 33 Celsius), average annual rainfall of 19 inches and generally humid conditions, the park provides relief from the heat for those who wish to swim, cool off and.

It is, though, the spectacular coral gardens below the surface that beckon you to include a up-close-and-personal underwater tour in your exploratory beach travel at the Indian Ocean with AfricanMecca, and best of all, you can snorkel and scuba dive at any time of the year!

The Wasini Island mangrove boardwalk of the coral gardens is a community project that is maintained by the Wasini Women Group. Formed in 1978, the group works to identify and implement projects that will generate income for the village. The boardwalk takes you to excellent observation points to see the fossil coral gardens and mangroves, and you walk with an experienced and knowledgeable guide who explains the significance of the ecosystem, as well as mangrove species and significant coral formations.



AfricanMecca guests may also do some souvenir shopping in the island curio shop - Zawadi boutique and even have a seafood lunch and a drink at the Charlie Claws Restaurant (read more on where to stay in Mombasa). Other places worth visiting after your marine park trip are the Wasini Coral Gardens and later back at the mainland – the Shimoni Slave Cave. The slave cave is a haunting testament to the struggles of Africans who were enslaved by its invaders during the 18th and 19th century.

The caves themselves have been formed by erosion from the rising and falling tide, and the walls are now lined with the metal studs and chains that were once used to bind and control the captive slaves. Slaves would be held in the caves for up to three weeks before boarding a dhow to the slave market in Zanzibar before being shipped to Europe, Americas and Arabia.