Where would we go next??One of our adventure gang member asked me.. Being a lead of distination,site and route researcher for the group, i was sorry that I had to google to check what’s the best marine park to visit. I have been to Shimoni and Wasini island but not with the gang .
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park come to my mind.The park is roughly70km south of Mombasa. I knew the road would be rough since I had been to Shimoni before, so we settled for a 4*4 van and set out a date for the journey.
The journey was on a Sunday,As usual I don’t wake up early but I had to wake up at 5AM to get our snack packs for the day ready,thus started the road trip at 6AM.We crossed the ferry as usual but the jam to get to Likoni was crazy. After an hour or so we made it through. South coast is just chilled and calm and driving past Diani brought back memories of the rough road when I last travelled. The road was really poor then, and I mean really really poor. I never thought you can get to the Island with a vitz using that dirt road, but now the road network is smooth and very comfortable to any type of vehicle. A few kilometers down the road and we got to Shimoni.
Shimoni is a major historical site. This was where the slaves were kept before being shipped to Europe or Asia.
I met my guide Mr. Mohamed Hassan waiting for us at the shopping centre.A very kind gentleman who made our stop there very worthwhile. Hassan is a local at Shimoni and owns a company that provides tours in the island. I asked if we could get to see dolphins. To answer this question Hassan gave hope to all my heart. He explained clearly that to visit Kisite Mpunguti you had to wake up at the crack of dawn and get the boat ride to the island. The boat will then go to tides where you could be able to view the dolphins. We asked so many questions and Mohammed had a ready answere and a solution to every of our concern.
Here we are at Shimoni. Mohammed led us to the KWS marine part offices for the registration and verification of identity.The Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is managed by KWS (Kenya Wildlife Services) All of us were ready for the voyage to kisite mpunguti through Wasini island.
We got in a dhow parked at the jetty named MV. Subra with three crew members on board. Jaffari was the captain (a smart young boy) and started the voyage to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park Island. The Shimoni mainland and Wasini island are separated by a Kilometer of the Indian Ocean. Mpare hills which are in Tanzania could be seen and our guide told us guys cross into Tanzania everyday.
We got a brief from the guide about the journey from shimoni to Kisite-mpunguti- Marine Park, safety measures to take in case of emergency. At 9:30 the sail started. The sail is to take 3-4 hrs then stop over at Wasini- Island for lunch before returning to shimoni mainland, I realized the guide had a quite grasp on safety measures while at sea. I was easy about this and inquired, what if one gets sea sickness or vomiting what/ where would she/he vomit. His answere was short as ” you feed the fish” meaning you just vomit on the sea. No plastic or waste is allowed to be thrown out ot the dhow. The dustbin is provided on board. Kisite-mpunguti- Marine national Park was smooth and we saw dolphins swim along the boat. Along the way the sea got little rough but the boat cruised through despite the fact that some of the members got to vomit .
We arrived at the park after about 1hr and 30mins. The boat was anchored and some of us went off for snorkeling and swimming to see the marine fish. Many other toirists from different groups of nationality and myself enjoyed the view from the boat . The anchor- stop at marine park was to take 1hr 45 mins then leave for the island before high tide. However snorkeling took too long, the boat crew could not get us all together in time to leave for the island as planned. It was really fun on the sand bath and swimming.By the time all other visitors were back on board of their shows it was already high tide and the sea waves were getting rough.
We set out to Wasini island about 1pm , the experience on the sea at Wasini channel was very chilling, the waves were rough as the dhow was wavering from side to side. That is when I inquired more on the available life- jackets and buoy- life –rings on board.. The dhow was well equipped in all of these vital equipment. We finally arrived at the Wasini island after about 1 hour 30 mins bumpy sail. Access to the island was by a one small boat ( there is no jetty for the dhows ) which takes trips to collect all the tourists and the reserve trip to return. I found these many trips also tiring but worth the adventure.
Lunch at the Wasini island restaurant was refreshing sea food (selection of Fish, crab, lobster, rice, cassava ,vegetables , chicken , chapati and drinks ) and residents are very hospitable. We returned to shimoni mainland about 3.30 pm with unique experience and much of appreciation to God for safety. I also recognized that the dhow crew members mainly rely of their own experience on navigation but knowledge able of the sea around their area.
I would return to kisite Mpunguti countless time s due to ;
1. Unmatched scenery at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park. Before getting lost in all there is to discover below wild side of the sea with beautiful rock features, vast clear waters and beautiful blue skies and the scenery here is nothing short of divine.
2. Majestic coral reefs at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park Coral reefs in the sea are what forests are to land. Coral reef barrier present at Kisite is so vast, providing a suitable home to octopus where dolphins feast on,You will therefore get to witness one of the most extraordinary features of the sea.
3.Mysterious sea birds at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park.They love the bare rocks, which allow them the free space they are accustomed to in the ocean. As a result, Kisite is listed as an Important Bird Area.
4.The intriguing underwater world . Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is one of the most ideal places for diving. The clear and clean waters boast of thousands of sea life that has been referred to as a rainbow. Snorkeling here will allow you to see beautifully colored fish of all sizes, shapes and forms.
5. Dolphins and whales at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park The most interesting part of visiting Kisite Mpunguti is the chance to swim with dolphins in their natural habitat. These friendly mammals love playing in the water, and when they feel co enough can come within inches of you.
6.Shimoni Caves at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park: These are located in a small fishing village, these ancient coral caves were for century’s sacred sites of worship for the local communities. However, fate and history brought a darker aspect to this tranquil spot. In the 18th and 19th century the caves became pens for captured slaves on their way to the slave markets in Zanzibar. Your entrance fee will help pay school fees for the school going children from the village. It’s manned by the community here.
At 4pm we boarded our van back to northcoast Mombasa. But before them We made a stop at Diani for a quick one for the road. Sought to know where we could go and unwind for an hour or so.
Our source asked us to go to Manyatta Resort and lounge where entertainment is made. Yes ,…the place was epic. We danced till midnight . Exhausted, we left for Mombasa……….
Mzedu Kitchen 