Mida Creek is a tidal inlet of about 32 square kilometres in size. It’s opening into the Indian Ocean is about half a kilometre
wide. The creek consists of a deep channel surrounded by large sand-flats, which are flooded at high tide. Seven of the nine
species of mangroves are found here and it is described as the most productive mangrove forest in the world.

Mida Creek is of great ecological importance and described as one of the high priority areas in the whole of Africa needing
protection. Apart from the importance it plays in the lives of coastal – and forest birds, it also is the breeding ground for
crabs, shrimps, fish, corals, mollusks and the Hawksbill- and Green Turtle.

  • The Creek is since 1968 part of the Watamu National Marine Park.
  • Mida Creek is one of Kenya’s five IBA’s (Important Bird Area) of international importance.
  • Mida’s direct neighbour is the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. It once stretched from Somalia to Mozambique.
    Today the largest remnant of the forest is right here, on Kenya’s coast. It is home to six globally threatened bird
    species such as Clark's Weaver Bird. 90% of the World population of the Golden Rumped Elephant Shrew live in the
    Forest. It also houses over 230 species of bird, 260 species of butterfly, mongoose, leopard, hyena and 80-100
    resident elephants.
  • Mida Creek together with the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest were announced a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976.

But what about the people living in Mida Creek? The community here is extremely poor and
most of them feel conservation means more restrictions in their already restricted lives.

  • Locals are not allowed to go into the forest to get wood for their huts. They are still poaching wood, facing penalties
    should they get caught. A poll showed that the largest proportion of people would like to further cut down the forest to
    use the wood for building and the land for agriculture.

  • Most fishermen use illegal nets as they cannot afford the roughly £100 for a proper net. The gaps in their nets are too
    small and fish don’t stand a chance of growing or breeding. Hence the creek is over-fished and at times the
    fishermen return empty-handed for days on end.

Mr Kafulo, previous mayor of the nearest city Malindi and a great lover of Mida Creek, stated ‘The people here have lost hope
since they are not allowed to go into the forest any more and the numbers of fish have drastically declined.’


Mida Ecocamp wants to set the balance between conservation and the well-being of the locals
in the direct affected areas right. Mida Ecocamp is giving people work, a market for their goods,
education and the understanding that tourists arrive to stay within their beautiful surroundings.
The Green
Turtle can
weigh up to
200kg.
Watamu
Turtle Watch
re-released
this turtle
brought to
the camp.
Green Turtle
Mangrove channels
Sea-grass beds in the creek
The mangrove channels of Mida Creek
The sea-grass and sand-flats in the creek
CONSERVATION