Kenya being one of the ‘Safari Capitals of the World’, it’s Tropical White Beaches is also an excellent destination for someone who needs to relax after hectic days on Safari chasing Africa’s big game in the dusty savannas.
Whether you are combining a safari with a beach stay or are doing pure beach holiday with nothing else to do apart from relaxing and enjoying the sun, sand and sea, the Kenyan Coast is a perfect choice for you.
The Kenyan Coast is a perfect holiday destination as it has a lot of attractions and activities that are fun and educational. It has many fun-filled things to do throughout the day from exploring and basking in the beautiful beaches and parks, to visiting various cultural and historic places and sites that cater to your interests.
The Kenyan Coast has a wide variety of languages, but most people speak Swahili or English. Nevertheless, regardless of what part of the world you are coming from, even if you are visiting the Kenyan Coast for the first time, you don’t have to worry because there are many professional Tour guides that speak a diversity of languages ranging from Spanish, Italian, French and German to native dialects and this will enable you to comfortably converse with the locals and make lasting memories from your travel experience.
You can also enjoy a huge range of cuisine, such as African, British, Italian, and Indian dishes. Numerous local and international fabulous restaurants are available, and there truly is something for everyone! One of the most popular activities in Ocean Shores is fishing and there are loads of fresh seafood dishes on the menu.
Some of the places of interest at the Kenyan Coast include:
MOMBASA
This is an ancient coastal city, the second largest in Kenya after Nairobi and with natural attractions that make it worth visiting. It is located on Mombasa Island, which is separated from the mainland by two creeks but connected by bridges which cross to the northern coastline, and by a ferry crossing to the southern coastline.
This vibrant city offers different flavors of tourism from beaches to historical landmarks and the country’s center of trade and industry. Mombasa Island is home to East Africa’s largest port, which is where the holiday cruise ships dock. Moi International Airport (MBA) is situated on the mainland and so if you are just looking for a beach holiday, then this is where you would ideally fly into and out of.
In Mombasa you will find Unique Architectural Buildings that can be traced back to Portuguese, Arabic, and British influences. It features mosques, churches, and temples that reflect the city’s importance as a trade port. There are many styles of architecture that can be seen such as the Old Town Museum and the Old Sultan Palace built by Zanzibar craftsmen in 1857.
The Old Sultan Palace contains an eclectic mix of furniture from different cultures, which is an indication that people from a variety of backgrounds were a part of its construction.
Some of the things to explore in Mombasa include:
Tour Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is a 17th-century Portuguese fort that stands on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It was originally built as a Roman Catholic church but was converted into a fort in 1693 by the Portuguese. The fort is well preserved, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, and provides an insight into life in East Africa 400 years ago.
Some of the things to do are taking photos in front of Fort Jesus and exploring the bastions, dungeons, and tunnels inside the fortress. Fort Jesus Museum offers exhibits about daily life for those who served at Fort Jesus, their weapons, and uniforms. On Sundays, there are guided tours with explanations about what life was like in this 18th-century outpost that once ruled over Mombasa Island.
The museum was built to be a defensive block, protecting the Portuguese from the Eastern Coast of Kenya. As such, it served as barracks for the soldiers and later became a military barracks for British troops.
This historic fort now belongs to the National Museums Association of Kenya and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fort Jesus Museum holds particular significance as it represents both the local history of Mombasa and one of Kenya’s best museums.
This historic monument is a prime example of one of the best-preserved 16th-century military fortifications in Africa. This fort is surrounded by the panoramic Indian ocean and occupies 2.36 hectares of area. Visitors can enjoy the many amenities available here: a restaurant, gardens, a gift shop, an information center, and more.
Fort Jesus follows the Italian architecture style, and you can see many Renaissance elements there. Viewed from the top, the Fort has a shape like that of a person. It peculiarly blends colonial and native architecture styles. Renaissance-era military fortresses are a true representation of the beautiful, local techniques that were once commonplace. These forts were built using coral and limestone from nearby sources.
In the present, the fort is a blend of African, European, and Middle Eastern construction styles. The ramparts offer a beautiful panoramic view of the town port and some of these rooms are now homes to a museum that speaks about the history of this place.
The museum houses Portuguese artifacts, such as cannons and anchors, as well as traditional Swahili items such as pottery, weaponry, and clothing.
There are also three other must-sees:
- In the garden, there is a Portuguese cistern that was used to store water thousands of years ago. You can also see some artifacts from an era when Mombasa was a major trading port.
- There is a Swahili Cultural Center where they teach young Kenyans traditional Swahili arts & crafts and offer business training so they can become self-employed.
- The butterfly exhibit recently started and showcases live butterflies within the exhibition. Besides learning about biodiversity, you can also get insights into how these insects are connected to the locals in this area. The butterfly house lawn and garden are lovely, perfect for picnics, filming, or taking photographs. You’ll be able to enjoy the gardens’ tranquility and sea breezes.
Explore the Old Town in Mombasa and find the many colorful fish markets
African cities have rich cultural histories. Mombasa is one such city, and if you’re interested in exploring a new culture in-depth, Mombasa is the place to go.
Old Town is an area in Mombasa Kenya, located on the southeast side of the city and covers an area of 2.4 square kilometers (0.9 square miles). Locals with a mix of Arab, Asian, Portuguese, and British heritage live there. It is located next to Tudor Creek, to the east of Mombasa Island. Buildings have Portuguese, Arabic, and British influences, reflecting Mombasa’s trade culture.
In 1997, The National Museums of Kenya submitted the Old Town and Fort Jesus to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
The Old Town area of Mombasa is a great place to go shopping. There are a lot of stores that sell everything from handmade crafts to jewelry. To make your visit memorable, top it all off with some of the best Swahili cuisines in town for your dinner.
Iconic Elephant Tusks in Mombasa’s Old Town
The pedestrian streets are lined with old-time shops, but it is the animal statues that draw in the crowds. The two elephant tusks at the entrance of Mombasa’s Old Town were originally constructed in 1952 by the British administration of the Kenya Colony, commemorating the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the city. They are still some of the most photographed places in the city today.
Visit Mamba Village
At Mamba Village Centre, the largest crocodile farm in East Africa, you will have a unique opportunity to observe one of the world’s most spectacular predators at close range in a Crocodile farm. You will get to see the infamous Big Daddy (110-year-old now and had eaten 5 people before capture 30 years ago). You will also have a chance to see one of the most dangerous snakes, the black mamba, because they also have several snakes and tortoises. It’s an amazing place for children and families.
Haller Park
This is a great place to visit. Haller Park plays host to a variety of wildlife including hippos, giraffes, buffalos, and antelopes, crocodiles as well as smaller mammals and birds. You will have a nature walk in Haller Park to see wildlife.
Mombasa Marine National Park
The marine tour is an excellent adventure. You can do Snorkeling in the splendid clear waters, diving at the best diving site, fishing, boat rides with a packed lunch to be enjoyed within the ride, bird watching, water skiing, and windsurfing. It’s one of the most visited marine parks in Kenya.
Visit Tsavo National Park
Just under 100 km from Mombasa, Tsavo National Park is perfect for anyone looking to easily combine just one or maybe two nights on safari with a longer beach stay on Kenya’s coastline.
Diani Beach
Heading southwards and 30 km from Mombasa, you get to Diani Beach, otherwise known as Kenya’s very own ‘Maldives’ paradise. Diani Beach holidays are perfect for you if you want the main three, sun, sea, and sand, oozing with extra style and charm. It has a population of around 100,000 inhabitants and is best known for its white-sand beaches and clear blue ocean. Due to the surfers this region attracts, Diani Beach is one of the most famous resorts in the area. It is the most tourist-oriented beach of the Kenyan Southern Coast where you will enjoy the breathtaking waves near the seashore.
Diani boasts a wide range of beachfront hotels and resorts, and so there is somewhere here for everyone whether you are single, a couple, on honeymoon or travelling with your family, and whether you are on a modest budget or you are looking for 5* luxury.
There is a lot to do in Diani Beach:
If you opt to just relax in a hotel near the beach, you can never go wrong in Diani Beach. There’s a wide range of hotels from boutique hotels, holiday houses, villas and beach houses.
Water enthusiasts are drawn to the safe and shallow ocean waters perfect for paddling and the wide range of water sports it offers. You will also get the chance to explore one of the best coral reefs in the world.
The white sand surrounded by lush tropical forests is attractive for nature lovers who want to get away from their busy lives. Here you can visit the Colobus Conversation where you will find the black and white Colobus monkeys and other threatened primates of Kenya.
Shimba Hills National Reserve is also perfect place to visit if you want an up close and personal experience with the nature. It is rich in flora and fauna and has the highest density of African elephants in Kenya Other animals found here include sable antelope, giraffes, leopard, buffalo, and mongoose to name but a few. The magnificent Sheldrick Falls are found here in Shimba Hills National Reserve. They are an amazing 25m drop, ending into an inviting plunge pool. You will enjoy a 2km guided walk along a footpath accompanied by a ranger who will explain and teach you about the various plants and habits found in the reserve. A visit to Shimba Hills National Reserve will give you an amazing wildlife, culture, and scenery adventure. You can have a morning game drive, hike to the waterfall and eventually have a refreshing swim at the bottom of the fall and then watch elephants from a hilltop camp.
Bora Bora Wildlife Park is a must also while in Diani. It is the largest animal sanctuary and Eco-camp in Diani. The park has indigenous trees like baobab and tamarind that provide a cool serene environment. The Nature trail here will give you a feeling of the value for forest conservation, the main reasons as to why the Park was founded. In Bora Bora are also luxury tented camps, perfect facilities that will offer you a bush experience in the beach.
You can also explore the serene surroundings and get to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the place and engage in water sports like kayaking, surfing, and much more.
For foodies, there are great restaurants Diani, which are not only a culinary trip but a cultural experience. Being able to taste the different cuisines of the world is spectacular. Whether it’s a local meal, Italian cuisine, Pizza, European, or something more specific like Vegetarian Friendly or Vegan options, you will be sure to find a restaurant that suits your needs.
There are also seafood restaurants that offer fresh catches such as lobsters, prawns, and oysters while you enjoy the refreshing sea breeze on their outdoor terrace.
You can also decide to just relax on a dhow cruise or glass bottom boat and enjoy the beautiful underwater world as it unfolds before you.
Watamu
Watamu is a coastal village in the North Coast of Kenya. It’s known for its wonderful white sand beach. The region is protected as part of the Watamu National Marine Park. Watamu National Park is a popular destination for scuba divers, snorkelers, waterskiing, windsurfing, glass-bottomed boat tours and nature lovers alike. It has everything from bright fish, lovely green sea turtles, to coral gardens. It has over 150 hard and soft corals, fans, and sponges and over 500 species of tropical fish.
The Mida Creek is one of the hidden gems near Watamu lined with palm trees and surrounded by mangroves. Mida Creek in Watamu has the largest inland body of water in the country and is a popular starting point for white-water rafting, kayaking, waterskiing, and wakeboarding.
Mida Creek’s beauty and natural importance are unmatched. It is 32 km2 in size and has a healthy bed of seagrass and coral that serves as a habitat for crabs, birds, turtles, and other species. You’ll also be able to see some fascinating sandflies and exotic birds along the way. Migratory birds utilize Mida creek as a stopover point which is essential for their survival. It is also a place to paddle, snorkel, fish, swim, and surf, all from an easy-access launch point at Mida Resort.
To explore the beauty of Mida Creek, there are many options. Apart from driving you can also go on a boat cruise, and you’ll get the chance to see pristine views of the evening sun, beautiful flamingoes and even try a delicious African drink!
Next to the shore, a local project called the Mida Creek Conservation Community operates a crab farm and local crab shack restaurant serving dishes made from crab, such as their very popular crab samosas.
Due to its proximity to Tsavo National Park, visitors to Watamu can also take a 3-day safari to view the game animals.
Visit the turtle Bay Dive & Watersport Centre
The Turtle Bay Dive and Watersport Centre is a popular attraction on the hotel grounds of Turtle Bay Beach Club. It’s been around since 1970 but was taken over by the German couple Harry and Tina Scholz in May 2020. They have direct access to the natural ocean environment, near reefs, and shipwrecks – which make for an excellent diving experience!
It’s always a great adventure, and you can complete your experience by scuba diving at the center. There’s a daily dive organized, and you’ll get access to all the facilities with a free trial dive in one of our pools.
Watersports activities include boat sailing, windsurfing, and more. Equipment is also available for rent for various periods. Training is offered for Stand-up paddling, Windsurfing, and Sailing.
You will see a wide range of beautiful marine life at the dive sites including corals, turtles, dolphins, and rays.
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