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THE AREA AND ITS PROTECTION:
The Kiunga Marine National Reserve (KMNR) is situated on the northern limit of the Kenyan coast and incorporates 22 miles of pristine coastline, 51 islands and a total area of 2000km square. The waters and islands within its boundaries were gazetted in 1979 to primarily safeguard the nesting colonies of marine birds, the highly endangered Dugong and turtle nesting beaches.
In 1980 the KMNR and the adjoining Boni and Dodori National Reserves were together designated as a United Nations Man and Biosphere Reserve, in recognition of rare ecological and cultural diversity.
Bordered to the east by wild mainland Africa and to the west by the rich Indian Ocean, it is an ecological jigsaw; a mosaic of tropical marine life, tidal creeks, flourishing mangrove forests, sand dunes, coral atolls and pristine beaches.
Today the Kiunga Marine Reserve stands as the last vestige of the disappearing wilderness of the East African coast.
Not only unique for its ecological diversity, it also incorporates the ancestral land of the Bajun people of the Swahili Coast whose vibrant culture is deeply engrained in the area.
In today’s environmental and cultural climate, maintaining a sustainable balance between man and wilderness is no small challenge, but over the years Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS), in partnership with WWF, the KIBODO Trust and the local communities has taken, and continues to take significant steps to secure a sustainable future for the complex ecosystem and the people who are part of it.
Established with the permission of Kenya Wildlife Service and the local community in 1998, Champali Camp originated as a rustic base-camp for wildlife and ethnological film-makers Etienne Oliff and Lucy Bateman. Filming complete, the camp has been re-built to offer a higher level of comfort, and is today run and managed by Kiwaiyu community members.
The camp's ethos is one committed to community-driven conservation of the Kiunga Marine Reserve and to the support of Kenya Wildlife Service, WWF, KIBODO Trust and the Kiwaiyu Island Welfare Association (KIWA). A significant portion of the camp's income goes directly to these organizations to specifically support community initiatives, education and conservation.
All visitors to Champali Camp are asked to abide by the regulations of the Reserve, and be sensitive and considerate to the environment, the communities and their Islamic culture. In doing so, we all play a part in the conservation and protection of this extraordinary area.
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