Watamu

Mida Creek is part of the ASSETS project in Kenya (the Arabuko-Sokoke Schools and Eco-tourism Scheme). This is a project where Kenyans help themselves and their countryside.

The Mida Creek reserve is formed of extensive mangrove forests, warm shallow waters and large areas of mud flats at low tide. This area hosts not only many local birds, such as greater flamingo, yellow-billed stork, great white egret and malachite kingfisher, but is also the winter home of many migrants such as the crab plover, curlew sandpiper, whimbrel and sanderling. The osprey and African fish eagle are often overhead. A bird-lovers paradise, Mida Creek is also the spot to watch the spectacular African sunsets whilst sipping an icy cold drink at the end of an active day.

Our visit to the creek was another wonderful trip in this most interesting area of Kenya along the East Coast not far from Watamu and nearly opposite the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. Our guide for the trip was Jonathan Baya – a very quiet and knowledgeable man who made many of our trips so memorable. Ben the driver from Turtle bay drove us down.

From Watamu we traveled a short distance to the creek where we experience the boardwalk and took a walk along the beach amongst the mangroves.  There is a small visitor centre where we were warmly welcomed by Arafa who gave us our tickets, there is a small charge but this goes towards the project. One of the people there offered us a chance to have a fresh coconut when we returned little did we know that he was going to run a mile climb a tree to get one that fresh!

Jonathan explained about the mangroves and even though the tide was out we experienced the board walk not as easy as its looks. Just need to take it one step at a time but was fun well worth it. At the end we could see the birds on the mud flats and the island which you can visit by boat its certainly a bird lovers paradise.

The hide at the end of the boardwalk gives you a wonderful view across the bay and with the help of Jonathan’s telescope and his excellent knowledge of all the wildlife, it is possible to spend a great deal of time scanning the area.

As the tide was out we did walk back along the beach and enjoyed the scenery how the mangroves sweat salk is amazing. I was pleased to have the fresh coconut waiting for me on  my return very refreshing. We had a chat and of course a group photo and promised to be back. Apparently the sunsets are good there so I must go back. Itswell worth a visit especially as its so close to Watamu. You can contact Arafa direct by e-mail she knows the project well and hopes to be a qualified community officer when funding becomes available. A real pleasure seeing the pride they have in preserving a little bit of paradise called Mida Creek

Mida Creek Photo Gallery

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Walking the board walk and Mida Creek