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Kwale County, Kenya

Mchanga

Mchanga means sand.

Kwale County

Kwale protects sacred Mijikenda kaya forests, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.

Capital
Kwale
People
867k
Area
8,270 km²
Altitude
400 m
Plan a tripTravel the road

Kwale runs along the south coast from Mombasa to the Tanzanian border and rises inland to the forested Shimba Hills. The Digo and Duruma, both Mijikenda peoples, are the main communities. It is one of the easiest places in Kenya to combine beach and safari.

Why it matters

Kwale protects sacred Mijikenda kaya forests, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. It also guards rich coral reefs on Kenya's southern border.

The economy

Tourism around Diani is a major employer. Farming includes coconuts, cashews, mangoes and sugar, and titanium mining has been a big earner since 2013.

Must-see in Kwale

  • Diani Beach

    White sand and turquoise water, ideal for kitesurfing, diving and snorkelling.

  • Shimba Hills National Reserve

    Coastal hill forest and one of Kenya's few homes of the sable antelope.

  • Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

    A community-run elephant corridor beside Shimba Hills.

  • Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park

    Islands, reefs, resident dolphins and turtles, reached by boat from Shimoni.

  • Wasini Island

    A car-free island village and the classic base for dhow trips.

  • Shimoni Caves

    Historic coral caves near the fishing village of Shimoni.

  • Kaya Kinondo

    A sacred Digo forest open to guided, respectful visits.

  • Gazi Mangrove Boardwalk

    A community walkway through a mangrove forest.

Parks and wildlife in Kwale

Peoples of Kwale

Communities with a historic home in Kwale. Today people from every part of Kenya live and work here.

Music, food and culture

Digo drummers power sengenya, a famous Mijikenda dance and drum style, and taarab is popular too. Swahili coastal cooking dominates, with coconut curries, grilled fish and spiced rice.

Best time to go

October to January is ideal for diving and snorkelling. Whale sharks visit from about October to April, and the long rains fall from March to May.

On the map

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Kwale and its neighbours. Tap a county or a place to read about it.

Mwaluganje Elephant SanctuaryShimba Hills National ReserveDiani BeachWasini IslandKisite-Mpunguti Marine Park

Hover a county or a dot. Click to open it. Locations are approximate.

Your questions

When is the best time to visit Kwale?

October to January is ideal for diving and snorkelling. Whale sharks visit from about October to April, and the long rains fall from March to May.

What is Kwale County known for?

Kwale protects sacred Mijikenda kaya forests, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. It also guards rich coral reefs on Kenya's southern border.

Where is Kwale and what is its capital?

Kwale runs along the south coast from Mombasa to the Tanzanian border and rises inland to the forested Shimba Hills. The Digo and Duruma, both Mijikenda peoples, are the main communities. It is one of the easiest places in Kenya to combine beach and safari. The county capital is Kwale, and the 2019 census counted 866,820 people across about 8,270 square kilometres.

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A giraffe and acacia tree silhouetted against a Kenyan sunset

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