About Kwale

Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Kwale County

Geography of Kwale County

Kwale County is widely known for its 35 km developed sand beaches. These land formations is a build up of eroded reef material whose deposits form a stretch of coastline covering approximately 90 km. Above, the coastal uplands, commonly referred to as Shimba Hills, is an area of medium to high agricultural potential. The area rises rather steeply from the foot plateau at an altitude of between 135 to 462 meters above the sea level. This zone is made up of sand stone hills that include the Shimba Hills (420m), Tsimba (350m), Mrima (323m) and Dzombo (462m).

Land Use in Kwale County

Kwale County is divided into two agro-ecological zones in terms of agricultural potential. Medium potential and marginal lands constitutes 15% and 18% of the total land area respectively. The rest of the land, about 67%, is range, arid and semi-arid land, suitable only for livestock and for limited cultivation of drought resistant crops.  In the drier areas of the Nyika Plateau in Kinango, Kasemeni, Samburu Ndavaya and some parts of Lunga Lunga divisions the land is held in trust and under group ranches.  Only 22.5% of the surface land has title deeds. 

Highlights in Kwale County

The main tourist attraction sites in Kwale are Shimba Hills National Reserve, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserves, historic sites (Shimoni Holes and Diani Mosques), forests, sandy beaches, bird habitat areas, hotels and turtle breeding grounds. There still exist potential in the tourism sector such as untapped cultural resources and plenty of potential tourist sites that could offer living and leisure facilities as well as sport tourism. There are upward of 22 tourist class hotels in Kwale County with a bed capacity of 5,098.

Population in Kwale County

Population density and distribution in Kwale County is strongly influenced by the topography and the agro-ecological set-up.  The population density in 2012 was 86 people / km2. The density varies from a minimum of 57 people / km2 in Kinango Constituency to 376 people / km2 in Msambweni Constituency. Total population was projected to be 713,488 people in 2012. The urban population accounts for 17 % of the total population. Kwale County has three major towns – Kwale, Ukunda/Diani and Msambweni, with a population of 28,252, 62,529, and 11,985 respectively in 2009. Other centers are Kinango and Lunga-Lunga border.

Airports in Kwale County

Kwale County has four airstrips found at Ukunda/Diani, Shimba Hills National Reserve, Msambweni and at Kinango. Only Ukunda Airport is operational.

Roads in Kwale County

Kwale County has a total of 1,483.1 kms of classified roads. Of these 187.7 kms Bitumen surface, 425.2 kms are gravel surface and 871.2 kms of earth surface roads. An international trunk road, the A14, traverses Kwale from Mombasa to Lunga Lunga on the Kenya – Tanzania border. On the northern side the A109 Mombasa–Nairobi Highway forms the boundary of Kwale and Kilifi Counties.

Climate in Kwale County

Kwale County has monsoon type of climate marked by hot and dry weather from January to May and cooler temperatures from June to August. The long rains fall in between March to May. Average temperatures ranges from 26 C to 28 C in the coastal lowlands, 25 C to 27 C in Shimba Hills costal range and in the hinterland.  

National Monuments in Kwale

  1. Kongo Mosque
  2. Diani Ruins
  3. Kaya Diani
  4. Kaya Muhaka
  5. Kaya Galu
  6. Kaya Kinondo
  7. Chale Island Grove
  8. Shimoni Caves
  9. Kaya Bogowa
  10. Kaya Gandini
  11. Kaya Mtai
  12. Dugumura Hill Grove
  13. Kaya Kwale
  14. Kaya Dzombo
  15. Mrima Hill Grove
  16. Kaya Ukunda
  17. Shirazi
  18. Tumbe
  19. Tiwi
  20. Kaya Mtswakari

Located along the Kenyan coast, and a hub renowned for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes, Kwale County uniquely combines two of Kenya’s unsurpassed offerings – beach and safari. Kwale County is also a melting pot of coastal traditions, modern development, farming and trade to boot.

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A Guide to Kwale County



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About Kwale Way Back When

85 Destinations in Kwale County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, maps and distance chart:

Shelly Beach, Time Out Art Camp, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Kutazama Lodge, Mandhari Lodge, Kimerimeta Safari Lodge, Baraza Park, Kwale Town, Shimba Hills National Reserve, Shimba Hills Lodge, Elephant Lookout, Sheldrick Falls, Shimba Hills Organic Farm, Nyalani Dam, WWF Nursery, Tiwi Beach, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kongo Mosque, Twiga Mosque, Diani Mosque, Diani Beach Art Gallery, Diani Bikes, Center Point Mall, Diani Beach, Almasi Art Agency, Diamond Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant, Kenya Kite Masters, Kite Festival, Funguo Wreck, Swahili Beach Resort, Raydon Water Sports, Colobus Conservation Trust, Sails Beach Bar & Restaurant, H2O Extreme, Nomad Beach Bar & Restaurant, Baobab Beach Resort, Lantana Galu Beach, Galu Ruins, Bora Bora Wildlife Park, Skydive Diani, Kalista Bar & Restaurant, Kaya Kinondo (Forest), Kinondo Kwetu (Resort), Chale Island, Tulia Eco Garden, Gazi Beach, Gazi Mangrove Boardwalk, Gazi Ruins, Msambweni Beach, Munje Beach, Munje Beach Villas, Munje Ruins, Munje Octopus Closure, Funzi Island, Shirazi Ruins, Fikirini Caves, Hormuz, Pongwe, Shimoni Caves, Betty's Camp, Shimoni Ruins, KWS Shimoni Cottages, Wasini Island, Wasini Ruins, Wasini Boardwalk, Charlie Claw’s, Chambocha Cemetery, Wasini Dolphin Tours, Pilli Pipa Dhow, Blue Monkey Cottages, GVI Mkwiro, Mwaozi Tumbe's Gravestone, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, Sii Island, Mrima Hill, Maji Moto Springs, Vumba Kuu, Vanga, Vanga Ruins, Nyika Plateau

Know More About Kwale County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

Kwale has monsoon type of climate marked by hot and dry weather from January to May and cooler temperatures from June to August. Average annual temperatures ranges between 24oC and 30oC.

Kwale is widely known for its 35 km long coast, where Diani Beach sits. Inland, the coastal uplands, commonly referred to as Shimba Hills, is a sharp elevation in altitude. The land then steeply falls again into the Nyika Plateau and Tsavo.

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