National Parks Africa » Dodori National Reserve

Dodori National Reserve is 877 square kilometres (350 square miles) in area, and is situated just north of Lamu. It almost joins on to Boni National Reserve to the north and Kiunga Marine National Reserve adjacent to the coast. Dodori was established in 1976 to provide protection of major breeding grounds for the local topi population.

Elephants are still found in small numbers as are lesser kudu. Birdlife is rich, with many waterbirds, birds of prey and nothern migrants. Dugongs, or seacows the original mermaids of seafaring lore used to breed along the coast, but their numbers are rapidly declining due to encounters with local fishermen.

With 250 square kilometres (100 square miles) of islands, beaches and coral reefs in north-east Kenya by the Somali border, the Kiunga Marine National Reserve is a prime sea-bird breeding ground, most notably for Hemprich’s gull which nests between July and October.