Dodori National Reserve
Dodori National Reserve Kenya
Dodori National Reserve was established in 1976 as a protected area, positioned in East Lamu district at the coast province in Kenya. The park covers an area of about 877 square kilometers characterized by grasslands, swamps, savannah, forests, mangroves, baobabs, gigantic and coastal beaches. The reserve is managed by Kenya Wildlife Service and is part of other larger area that has been recognized internationally as an important cultural heritage area and conservation site such organizations include IUCN, Conservation International, World wildlife fund and many more. Together with the closer Kiunga Marine National Reserve. The Dodori National reserve become a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1980.
However, the reserve is famous for its beautiful cool sand beaches and unique culture which attracts number of visitors on their visit to the park. Note, the name for reserve was derived from a river that flows to the Indian ocean, the Dodori creek is known as a breeding place for dudongs.
Dodori national reserve is a tourist destination and is among the least visited Kenya national park together with the neighboring Boni and this is because few years back the area become hideout to rebel groups that used to attack African countries known as al-Shabaab who currently attacked tourists in the 2010 and this led to a big decline in tourism within the reserve as tourists still fear to come back to visit the reserve ,but Kenya government is trying as much as possible to improve on the security in the area in order to avoid such incident in the area.
The reserve is comprised of woodland and forest area that supports large populations of wildlife such as lions, buffaloes, elephants and high number of coastal topi.
Activities done in Dodori National Reserve Kenya
Although is still less visited but it hosts remarkable activities that can reward travelers stay/visit to the reserve as follows;
Game viewing
Dodori National Game reserve is famous for its large population of coastal topis than elsewhere in Kenyan national park, other species to see here on your game viewing include coastal Topis, lesser kudus, greater kudus, elephants, adder’s duiker, gazelles, zebras, sea turtles’ lions, leopards, sea cows, and dudongs. Making your safari to Dodori game reserve awesome experience.
Bird watching
Dodori national reserve is a home to numerous aquatic birds which are commonly seen on the water areas some of the examples are Carmine bee eaters, violet breasted sunbird, blue hooded kingfisher, southern banded harrier eagle, honey buzzard, brown breasted barbet, palmnut vulture mentioned but few.
Cultural Tour
The reserve sits on the coastal areas of Kenya and surrounded by coastal people who have rich history about their towns and slavery, visit the people and get to known their way of life and their history would make you to stay for long as you also buy some gifts from the crafts shops for remembrance.
Where to stay
The reserve has no accommodation facilities inside but they can be got from the nearby towns some of lodges include; Finch Hatton’s camp, Alliance safari beach hotel, Diani reef beach resort, Almanara luxury lodge, diamond dream of Africa and others.
Getting there
Dodori national game reserve is estimated 280 kilometers north of Mombasa. The creek can be reached by water through a boat. Dodori national reserve and Boni national reserve are bordered to each other and they were both established as a protected area in 1976, Boni sits in North eastern province, covering an area of 1,339square kilometers while Dodori national reserve sits in East lamu district of coastal province on land covering 877 square kilometers.
Best Time to Visit
The reserve is all year visited game destination because it comprises humid and hot climate but the roads are very remote in accessing it during the rainy seasons,4×4 wheel safari drive car is needed.
Come experience a beautiful scenery landscape with wide range of wildlife species and also get amazed about the breathtaking pristine sand beaches and mind –blowing cultures around the reserve and call it a remarkable safari adventure to the heart of Africa. ’Kenya Destination’’.
