Dodori National Reserve Guide: Wildlife, Attractions, Accommodation & Travel Tips

A Guide To Dodori National Reserve

Dodori National Reserve reserve was named after the river ending in the Indian Ocean at Dodori Creek, a breeding place for dugongs. It encompasses an important woodland and forest area that historically supported large populations of elephants, lions, buffaloes, coastal topi, gazelles, antelopes, and water birds.

Dodori National Game Reserve is estimated 280 kilometers north of Mombasa. The creek can be attained by water through a boat. Dodori National Reserve and Boni National Reserve are bordered by each other and they were both founded as a protected area in 1976, Boni sits in Northeastern province, of Garissa County.

Quick Facts About Dodori National Reserve

Here is a list of Facts about the Dodori National Reserve

Both reserves were gazetted in 1976.
Boni belongs to the Garissa County (North Eastern province), while
Dodori lies on the Lamu County (Coast province).
Dodori covers an area of 877 km², whereas
Boni comprises 1,339 km².
Boni lies right next to the Somali border, in the traditional dwelling region of the Boni hunter tribe, today reduced to a few hundred people.
Dodori Reserve is named after the river ending in the Indian Ocean at Dodori Creek, a breeding place for dugongs.
Dodori hosts a vegetal diversity mainly consisting of coastal and riverine forests, mangroves, swampy grasslands, and savannahs. Away from the rivers and channels, impenetrable thornbush is scattered with gigantic baobabs. In the Dodori coastal area, waterholes are frequently visited by gazelles, antelopes, and water birds.

About Dodori National Reserve

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 distinguished by savannah, forests, mangroves, baobabs, gigantic, grasslands, swamps, and coastal beaches. The reserve is also supervised by the Kenya Wildlife Service and is part of other larger areas that have been acknowledged internationally as an essential cultural heritage area and conservation site

Regardless, the reserve is well-known for its beautiful cool sand beaches and amazing culture which attracts several visitors on their visit to the park. It is a tourist destination and is among the least visited Kenya national parks together with the neighboring Boni. The reserve is composed of woodland and forest areas that support large populations of wildlife such as lions, buffaloes, elephants, and a high number of coastal topi.

What to See At Dodori National Reserve

Wildlife

Dodori’s main wealth is its topi population, one of the largest in Kenya. Other mammals include elephants, gazelles, lesser kudus, zebras, and lions. The channels are breeding grounds for the green turtles and the dugongs or sea cows, endangered aquatic mammals that feed on the seagrass.

Birds

Dodori National Reserve is home to multiple aquatic birds that are normally seen in the water areas. Some of the examples are blue-hooded kingfishers, southern banded harriers eagles, honey buzzards, Carmine bee-eaters, violet-breasted sunbirds, brown-breasted barbet, AND palm nut vultures.

Diverse Landscapes

Dodori’s vegetation consists largely of coastal and mangroves, swampy grasslands, riverine forests, and savannahs. Massive baobabs are scattered among impenetrable thornbush away from the rivers and channels.
Waterholes in the Dodori coastal area are often visited by water birds, gazelles, and antelopes.

Cultural Tour

The reserve sits on the coastal areas of Kenya and is surrounded by coastal people who have a rich history regarding their towns and slavery.
Visiting the people and getting to comprehend their way of life and their history would make you stay for longer as you also buy some gifts from the crafts shops for remembrance.

PARKS & RESERVES: BONI & DODORI NATIONAL RESERVES

GENERAL INFO

It is very unlikely that your trip will include a visit to Boni or Dodori National Reserves, both located at the northernmost corner of Kenya’s coast, next to the Somali border. Sadly, the reason is the high insecurity in the area, which is raided by Somali guerrillas. Visiting these reserves, especially Boni, is therefore strongly discouraged.

Accommodation And Hotels At Dodori National Reserve

Lodges

There are no lodging facilities at the reserves. Dodori’s sea wildlife can be watched from the nearby Kiwayu Safari Village, a rustic luxury secluded beach lodge located on Kiwayu Island close to Lamu and Kiunga Marine Reserve.
However, this resort was closed in 2011 after a couple of British tourists were tragically attacked by Somali gunmen.

Camping

There are no grounds at these reserves. Staying on your own is strongly discouraged due to the unsafety situation in the region.
However, if you wish to know about the regulations and the current risk level, you may contact the officials at Lamu and Garissa counties.

How To Get To Dodori National Reserve

Dodori is located 280 kilometers north of Mombasa and the reserve can be accessed but visitors or the film crew members and their direction need to obtain the best guidance from the security officers. Accessing the Dodori National Reserve requires the visitors to lease a 4WD vehicle.

There are few roads, and the only way to get there is to take the road D568 inland from Lamu and turn right at Bodhei. This trail links both reserves and leads to Kiunga, at the northernmost tip of Kenya’s coast. A track along the road, near the town of Mangai, permits wildlife observation on both banks of the Dodori River. Once in Kiunga, the road to Mkokoni follows the coast and leads to some waterholes in the bush.

The area, regardless, is only accessible during the dry season, and the best way to get there is by sea, specifically if you want to see the rich marine wildlife at Dodori. The creek, its channels, and mangroves are accessible by boat or dhow.

Dodori National Reserve Entrance Fee

The fee to film in Dodori National Reserve in Kenya is Ksh 8,000 ($80) per person, per week or part-week. For groups of six to ten people, the weekly rate is Ksh 12,000 ($115). For groups of more than ten people, the weekly rate is charged Ksh 20,000 ($200).
You can also pay for entry to Kenya’s national parks using: Ecitizen, MPesa, Visa Card, RTGS, and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Fees may also apply to: Vehicles, Trucks and delivery vehicles, aircraft, Boats, Annual passes, and Special services.

Dodori National Reserve Contacts

Attraction Type: Scenery & Landscapes, Wildlife
Category: Forest, Swamp, Birding Site
Region: Coast
City / Town: Lamu
Telephone: 254 20 600 0800, 254 20 600 2345, 254 20 237 9407
Email: reservations@kws.go.ke or customerservice@kws.go.ke.
Website: http://cca.kws.go.ke/BoniDodori.html
Entrance Fee: Yes