Nature Sanctuaries in Kwale
Kaya Kinondo: The Sacred Kaya Forest
11 km south of Diani Shopping Mall along Diani Beach Road you arrive at one of Kwale County’s 21 sacred forest groves. The local epithet for these forests, Kaya, translates as a home or as homestead in all the Mijikenda dialects – Chonyi, Digo, Duruma, Giriama, Jibana, Kambe, Kauma, Rabai and Ribe, historically maintained in accordance to local traditions. Nganasa, the Maasai allusion to the Kaya, also means boma or homestead. The revered Kayas along Kenya’s coast are together recognized as a World Heritage Site christened Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests.
Diani-Kinondo was one of the early days Mijikenda settlements along the South Coast. According to tribal legends, the Mijikenda people migrated to their present locations from Shungwaya, north of River Tana, to flee from the inexorable Galla (Oromo) invasions of Ethiopia starting in 1530. Judging from their distinct culture and language relative to other Mijikenda, the Wadigo were the first group to leave their ancient homeland. One of their earliest settlements, near Kaya Kinondo, was at a site located directly on the beach at what is presently called Kinondo Mgwani.
Later, the Kayas, including Kinondo, acted as a centre of defence against the Galla people. Much later, they also became a refuge for the Duruma, where they sought refuge from the invading Maasai who swayed a sizeable territory of pre-colonial Kenya. As the Maasai threat subsided, the Kaya enclaves began to be used by the community elders for prayers and traditional ritual ceremonies. Although elders are no longer buried in Kayas, these are still protected as sacred sites of origin and used as shrines, meeting sites for elders, and for offerings to the ancestral spirits.
Momentarily, the Sacred Kayas were abandoned variously during slave raids and periods of drought, except for some near and around National Parks and Reserves where coastal forests remain intact. Of a recent leaning, Kaya Kinondo ecotourism project became a pilot to initiate and assess the viability of ‘Kaya eco-tourism’ as a means of linking their riveting history and cultural appeal with economic benefits. Other Sacred Kaya around Kwale include: Gandini, Mtswakara, Chonyi, Chitanze, Lunguma, Waa Bombo, Kiteje, Teleza, Miyani, Tiwi, Galu, Chale, Sega, and Jeggo. Indeed, there are 50 or more Kayas scattered throughout forests in Kenya’s coast.
An unsung attraction of Diani, Kaya Kinondo, the only one of the county’s sacred forests that is open to the public, with mixed reviews, is a special eye-opener to learn about the local culture. The guides who lead visitors through the rituals and conduct within the forest are witty with a knack about the 180-plus plant species in the forest, and offer many interesting facts. Entry charges in Kes is 1,000 pp. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes, sleeved shirt and carry plenty of drinking water. You can get in touch with Kaya Kinondo Guides at 0722 446916.
Around Kenya are to be found a hatful of delightful nature parks and sanctuaries, many of these being community initiatives to protect wildlife in their natural habitats. Fairly small in comparison to the national parks and reserves, they offer a more intimate exposure to the wild, to fully appreciate the local flora and fauna.
Index of Nature Parks & Sanctuaries in Kenya
Bomet County - Kipsegon Ecosystem, Masese Nyangores Ecotourism Site, Bungoma County - Buteyo Miti Park, Garissa County - Garissa Giraffe Centre, Bour Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Homa Bay County - Ondago Swamp Nature Sanctuary, Kakamega County - Isecheno Nature Reserve, Yala Nature Sanctuary, Kericho County - Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary, Chebown Nature Sanctuary, Kilifi County - Mnarani Snake Park, Mazingira Park, A Rocha Ecolodge & Conservation Centre, Mida Creek Sanctuary, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Mida Creek Nature Camp, The Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Kisumu County - Dunga Beach Wetland Boardwalk, Kitui County - Mutomo Reptile Park, Kwale County - Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Colobus Conservation, Kaya Kinondo, Bora Bora Wildlife Park, Diani Reptile Park, Wasini Boardwalk, Gazi Boardwalk, Lamu County - Amu Ranch, Makueni County - Kivungoni Springs, Meru County - Thaaru Springs, Mombasa County - Mombasa Butterfly House, Haller Park, The Butterfly Pavillion, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Nairobi County - Nairobi Arboretum, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Safari Walk, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nyandarua County - Sharpe's Longclaw Reserve, Samburu County - Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Maralal Game Sanctuary, Taita Taveta County - Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Njoro Springs, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Tana River County - Ozi Conservation, Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Nature Conservancy, Treasure of Africa, Uasin Gishu County - River Sosiani Park, Eldoret Nature & Cultural Centre Park, Wajir County - Wajir Giraffe Sanctuary
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
A Summa Digest of Kwale
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
What’s The Air Like In Kwale?
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.
What’s The Lay of The Land In C.02?
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.