Description

Tanga Marine Reserves System (TMRS) encompasses four island reserves of Kirui, Mwewe, Kwale, and Ulenge which form a unique ecological system lying along and adjacent to a coastline and surrounding waters that comprise of a diverse of coastal and marine habitats ranging from luxuriant fringing corals, sea grass beds and an almost continuous strip of mangrove stands.

Tourism Attractions

• Sea grass beds in sub tidal zone northeast of Kirui Island.
• A sandy beach in East coast of Kirui Island.
• Mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata) on Ulenge (south) Some common invertebrates found in the TMRs include mangrove crabs, prawns, octopus, lobsters, clams, sea cucumbers, and shelled molluscs. A small population of dugong is believed to exist at Mbayae‐Kigomeni area, just east of Kirui Island and south of Kenya border, where it was sighted in 1994 and 2004
• Dugong Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) is found around Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park, which is less than 10 km from Ulenge Island Marine Reserve (below picture). The shallow water area extending from south Kenya coast including eastwards of Kirui Island and Moa Bay could be considered as a special habitat. This zone has a complex combination of mangrove influences, extensive seagrass beds and coral reefs, creating good conditions for fish productivity. Besides being important fishing area for Kenya and Tanzania fishers, it is in this zone where dugongs are believed to exist.
• Rhizophora mucronata mangroves on Kirui west creek

All TMRS constitute important bird roosting sites. Nature trails and bird watching posts could be created as tourist attractions.

As the islands were once inhabited, they have remained with cultural values linked to the adjacent communities such as historical ruins, traditional and spiritual connections as ancestral grave yards and sacred groves. These are potential amenities for community based ecotourism and other recreational promotions.

Mangrove is the main feature in the intertidal zones of all TMRs. In Ulenge, mangrove covers an area of 72.2 Hectares, about 64 % of the Island area. It covers an area of about 528.1 Ha, or 86.2 % of Kwale the Island. Mwewe Island is also surrounded by mangroves, which covers an area of 14 Ha, which is about 68 % of the Island. The total area covered by mangrove in Kirui is estimated to be 680 Ha; the largest mangrove plot (557 Ha) is found on the north and west sides; Kigomeni mangrove (60 Ha) is on the east coast and Kirui south mangrove (63 Ha) is on the south of the Island. All the mangrove species found in Tanzania are found in the TMRs.

Rules & Regulations

Please check back later for information on rules.

Wildlife & Birds