Silver white sandy beaches fringed with palms, Casuarina, bright bougainvillea, mangrove swamps and magical creeks, all washed by the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean. The air is scented with the sweetness of frangipani and refreshed by gentle monsoon breezes.

Welcome to the exotic paradise of Kenya's 480 kilometer-long coast. Most come to enjoy the simple pleasures of this sun, sand and water wonderland. For those inclined to snorkel or scuba dive, the reefs, coral gardens and lagoons are some of the most beautiful.

For much of its length, from Malindi in the north to Vanga in the south, the shore is protected by a fascinating coral reef. lnside this protected environment in sheltered lagoons grow magical marine plants and other creatures and contains over 250 brilliantly coloured species of fish. National marine parks off Watamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Shimoni protect these reefs and the waters they embrace.

Mombasa is the old and colourful gateway to Kenya and is a vibrant mixture of the ancient and modern, with an interecting blend of Africa, Arab and Asian cultures.

This beautiful port, evocative of the east, is actually an island. Fringing the dhow harbour is the old town, a maze of narrow streets, quaint shuttered houses and open fronted shops. The ancient Portuguese 'Fort Jesus' still stands sentinel- now a fine museum of antiques. The experience of Mombasa somehow isn't quite complete without a trip aboard the exclusive Tamarind Dhow.

THE SOUTH COAST
South of Mombasa , across Likoni Creek lies a vast uninterrupted stretch of white sandy beach lapped byfascinating opal lagoons. Diani Beach is perhaps the most spectacular ribbon of flawless tropical beach, shaded with palm and Casuarina. Here one find a range of fine hotels offering a wide variety of watersports and activities.

Back | Top | Home

Behind the beach are patches of original forest, the most extensive of which is Jadini- a morning's trek from the beach hotels - where colobus monkeys, baboons, birds and butterflies run riot. A few more kilometres inland is the cool and refreshing wildlife getaway of the Shimba Hills National Park.

At the far southern end of the coast is unspoilt Shimoni, with its relics of the slave trade and coral gardens. The Kisite/ Mpunguti Marine Park can be reached from Shimoni or nearby Wasini lsland, a lovely trip by dhow or motorboat to an intriguing underwater world.

THE NORTH COAST

The coastal area to the north of Mombasa, extending some 70 kilometres (45 miles) from the Nyali bridge to Kilifi, is another paradise of sand and bright blue sea. Here you will find some of Kenya's finest beach hotels.

One of the coast's more recent National Marine Parks, the Mombasa Marine National Park, lies off the Nyali headland. On the northern end of the Nyali-Bamburi beach strip lies the fascinating Mamba Crocodile Village.

Further north is Mtwapa Creek - an old river course cut deep into the limestone. The shores on either side are lined with marinas and watersports centres. At the Kenya Marineland and Snake Park you'll find turtles, sting rays, hand-fed sharks and a multitude of serpentine. From Mtwapa up to Malindi the scenery is a collage of rolling baobab, sisal plantations, cashew trees, thick jungle and swamp up to an even bigger extinct river course at Kilifi Creek. On the way there is the lost city of Jumbala Mtwapa - a long abandoned relic shrouded in jungle. The mangrove swamps are the seasonal roost of thousands of Carmine Bee-eaters which descend in a riot of exotic colour and is a most unusual sight.

MALINDI AND WATAMU

Watamu is set around Turtle Bay, a curve of aquamarine water with coral gardens and atolls sweeping inland into the recesses of Mida Creek. Not far away is the 'lost city' of Gedi, an early Islamic port which was suddenly and inexplicably abandoned some three hundred years ago.

The Watamu National Park embraces an amazingly wide strip of coast and sea. At the northern end of this reserve is the Malindi Marine National Park. Together, these two reserves present a remarkable showcase of the wonderful tropical marine ecosystem.

Watamu's central motif is Whale Rock, a humpbacked piece of coral that is an important breeding ground for a multitude of birds. With a rich history behind it, Malindi stands on one of the few places along the coast where one can surf all year round. Watersport is Malindi's prime tourist attraction with sailboarding, water-skiing and diving.

Together with Watamu, Malindi offers excellent deep-sea fishing- being among the best deep-sea fishing areas in the world. The Birdland aviary contains some 1000 birds covering about 230 species. ln Malindi itself there is interesting 'old town' Swahili quarter with a large busy market.

LAMU - PATE ISLAND - MANDA ISLAND

Lamu- a town, island, archipel ago and a trip back in time. lt is the last remaining bastion of the Shirazi- the oldest of the cultures at the coast. This magical town carries on just as it has for centuries past with its ancient architecture, intricate carved plasterwork, mosques and a very fine museum. Lamu still retains an air of slumbering mystery. Shela beach is a virtually endless stretch of rolling sand dunes and it is here that most of Lamu's hotels are situated.

Pate lsland is hours away from Lamu by boat where one can see the ancient ruined towns of Faza and Siyu. This impressive island has to be explored entirely on foot.

Manda lsland has wonderful beaches to where elephants have been known to swim across from the mainland occasionally. A wonderful underwater paradise awaits along the reefs in the Kunga Marine National Park and there's a remote hideaway on Kismayu for those who dream of deserted tropical islands in the sun.

Back | Top | Home