Farm Tours I Stays in Kwale
Munje Octopus Closure: Gone Octo Fishing
For something truly unique among the mixed bag of outdoor offerings in South Coast, a drop in on Munje Octopus Closure at Munje Beach is not only fun but educational and unique experience, especially if you’re interested in marine life, sustainable seafood practices and conservation – as you mingle with the local anglers. Technically speaking it is not a farm, rather it’s a 0.4 km2 sea pen of the Kibuyuni fishing area, in the open ocean, designated as an octopus closure site. The site represents about 1% of the total community-managed fishing ground.
It’s easy and natural to be squeamish about octopus. It’s also incredibly easy to overcome the fear, by exposing yourself to them gradually, practicing relaxation techniques, and challenging fearsome thoughts. Away from the more popular scuba diving at Diani Beach, to sight octopus and other marine line, at Munje Octopus Enclosure you come across these fascinating creatures on shallow dives, including excursions down the beach, along debris fields, over muck, and on coral reefs. The local anglers, doubling as local guides, have a knack for tracking them.
On your day out at Munje Octopus Enclosure, you’ll learn about the life cycle of octopuses, including their breeding, hatching, and growth phases. Understand the science behind farming methods – ocean pen. Watch octopuses in various stages of growth, to fully grown adults. Of course, octopus farming has sparked debates about their welfare in part due to their intelligence and complex behavior. Which is why the site is focused on sustainability, including the natural living conditions, handling, and ethical considerations they follow. It is the first of its kind in Kwale.
Established in September 2023 by Munje Beach Management Unit (BMU) in hand with the Coastal and Marine Resource Development (COMRED) and local groups, the key aim was promote sustainable octopus fishing and enhance marine eco health. Over the next 15 months, three successful pilot closing and opening runs were undertaken, in November 2023, April 2024, and August 2024. The first real run closure lasted four months, culminating in an opening in October 2023. Now, the closure operates on a rotational basis, where the designated cluster is closed to octopus fishing for specific periods, allowing the species to breed and grow.
Previous attempts to start the closure faced numerous hurdles, then Munje’s turning point came after a contemplative visit to Pate Island. Inspired by the collaborative efforts witnessed there, Munje took the plunge and implemented their first temporary fisheries closure for octopus. Before they had the octopus fishery closure, they caught fewer octopus, but today they all harvest and earn quite a lot. Minje Closure is an initiative with benefits: “I would catch less than 10 kgs daily, but today, I have caught over 30 kgs in three hours. But we couldn’t have done this if the community had not rallied behind the idea” fisher, Salim.
The Munje Octopus Closure serves as a model for sustainable marine resource management, demonstrating how community-led and owned initiatives can effectively balance ecological conservation with economic benefits. The success of the closure is attributed to extensive community sensitization and involvement; ergo initial attempts faced challenges due to a lack of understanding and support. However, through consensus-building meetings and peer-learning exchanges, the community embraced the project, leading to successful closures and openings.
Taking cognizance that Kenya is primarily agrarian, farm tours are a fantastic way to learn about the backbone of its economy, connect with nature, and gain insight into the operations of working farms. As diverse as they are unique, farm tours provide an experience and a deep connection to the land. It is great fun, too!
Index of Farm Tour Experiences in Kenya
Bomet County - Nogirwet Irrigation Scheme, Changoi Tea Factory, Kiambu County - Lesioi Farm, Sensory Garden, Lakehouse Tigoni, Little Tigoni Farm, Brown's Cheese, 100 Lights Farm, Kiambethu Tea Farm, Kawamwaki Farm, Naishola Gardens, Mlango Farm, Banana Farmhouse, Munje Farm, The Goldenscape Tree Africa, Farmview Coffee Estate, Karunguru Coffee and Golf Estate, Apollo Science Farm, Fairview Coffee Estate, Laikipia County - Olepangi Farm, Mugie Ranch Farm, El Karama Eco-Lodge and Farm, Kirinyaga County - Sagana Fisheries, Kwetu Home-Sagana, Kiburi Farm, Green Algae Fishery Farm, Kwale County - Shimba Hills Organic Farm, Kwale Tree Nursery, Munje Octopus Closure, Tulia Eco-Garden, Meru County - Kisima Farm, Timau River Lodge, The Wonky House, Tamalu Farm, Charanna Farm, Migori County - Nyamiencho Coffee Farm, Muranga County - Eco Farmhouse, Gatura Greens Purple Tea Farm Tours, Ranges View Lodge, Nairobi County - Ololo Safari Lodge and Farm, Adventure Farm, Nakuru County - Kembu Farm, Nandi County - Kip's Eco Resort, Chepsangor Hill Coffee Farm, Chemomi Tea Factory, Narok County - Mulot Farm, Nyandarua County - Olrok Farm House, Davida Getaway, Maverick Farmstay, Nyeri County - Waihiga Farm, Wambugu Apples, Taita Taveta County - Gicheha Farm, Tharaka Nithi County - Weru Tea Factory, Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon Orchards, Uasin Gishu County - Kruger's Farm at Sergoit, Doinyo Lessos Creameries Eldoret, Vihiga County - Mudete Tea Farm Factory
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
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.