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Mombasa
is the second largest city
and
only port in Kenya. The Swahili
and Arabic cultures are predominant
in Mombasa. Walking through
the Old Town, one will come
across winding narrow roads,
mosques and open air markets.
Bright colours, spicy scents
and an atmosphere of ancient
mystique will enthrall you.
Over four hundred years ago,
the warm waters of the Indian
Ocean and the port of Mombasa
used to be a passageway for
the Arabian spice trade.
 One
of the most internationally
re-known features in Mombasa
is the Fort Jesus. At the
end of the 16th Century, the
Portuguese began to construct
the famous Fort Jesus, which
dominates the entrance of
the Mombasa Harbour. The Fort
is now a National monument
and Museum.
The
coastline of Mombasa is split
into the South and the North
Coasts. From both the South
and North coasts, there are
further coastal splits, which
result in many quaint coastal
towns and excellent holiday
beaches. |
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KIWAYU
Kiwayu is located
120 km from Lamu. Kiwayu is part of
the Northern Lamu Archipelago. Across
the lines of the Kiwayu dunes, the
Dodori Game and Boni National Reserves
are located, as well as the Kiunga
Marine Reserve. The days are hot and
the nights pleasant. Kiwayu has for
centuries been the focal point for
Arab dhows trading in ivory, carpets
and carved chests, between Arabia
and Mombasa and onto Zanzibar. There
are few places in the world that can
boast the seclusion of Kiwayu, which
is visited only by guests to the Safari
Village, local fishermen, the dhows
that come to collect water and the
occasional sports fishermen.
 The
Kiwayu Safari Village offers 18 spacious
and airy cottages with private shaded
hammock-strung verandahs. Activities
include: game drives in the Dodori
Reserve, beach and dune walks, beach
barbeques and sundowners, water sports,
turtle hatching, deep-sea diving and
fishing… The theme of the Village
is informality and a bikini and beach
wrap is all the packing you need bring
to Kiwayu.
One can fly to
Kiwayu from Nairobi, Mombasa or Lamu.
LAMU
Lamu is a beautiful
tropical Island, filled with mystery,
history, culture, endless deserted
beaches and sand dunes. White sandy
beaches, small villages, coconut,
mango and banana plantations and spectacular
views all prevail in Lamu. The only
access to the Island is by boat from
the main town of Lamu. Lamu Town was
originally a 14th Century Swahili
settlement. Since then the Lamu has
been enriched by numerous other cultures
and inhabitants, including the Portuguese
explorers, the Turkish traders and
the Omani Arabs.
 Recommended
hotels and houses in Lamu include:
Petley’s
Inn, Lamu Palace Hotel, Stone House,
Peponi Hotel, Kijani House, Baytil
Ajaib House, Shela and Palm Houses,
Kisimani House, Kipungani Bay.
Lamu is a wonderful
starting point for Island-Hopping
holidays, trips with dhows and boats
to Pate Island or Manda Island and
the ancient town ruins of Takawa.
WATAMU
South
of Malindi is Watamu – best
known for the Watamu Marine National
Park, a spectacular coral reef where
some of the most exotic and rare species
of marine fauna are found. This coral
reef is only a short boat ride away
from the beach and in low-tide the
reef is walking distance. The beaches
in Watamu are a combination of beautiful
white sand bays and rocky outcrops.
There
are so many wonderful sights and activities
to be seen and done in the Watamu
area…
 Close
to Watamu and Malindi is the Arabuko
Sokoke Forest – the largest
remaining stretch of lowland coastal
forest in East Africa. This reserve
is an ornithologist’s paradise!
Other than the diverse bird-life and
flora, other mammals including herds
of elephant can be found in the thick
jungles of this forest.
The
Gedi Ruins: A deserted traditional
Swahili town, which was abandoned
mysteriously in the 14th Century.
The Ruins are hidden in the midst
of the dense forest. Visitors to the
Ruins can roam through and explore
the 18 hectares of the ruins, with
their winding passages and crumbling
walls.
MALINDI
Malindi
is the second largest city on the
Kenyan Coast and is most famous for
the Malindi Marine National Park and
deep-sea fishing. Boutiques, rustic
restaurants, outdoor markets, ancient
historical sights and exclusive beach
resorts located alongside tropical
forests and beaches are all part of
what makes Malindi such a popular
destination.
 There
are direct flights from both Mombasa
and Nairobi to Malindi.
Recommended
hotels in Malindi include:
Indian
Ocean Lodge, Kilili Baharini, Kingfisher
Lodge, Driftwood Beach Club, Scorpio
Villas and the Woburn Residence Club,
Che-Shale.
KILIFI
KILIFI
is an old coastal town, which overlooks
the harbour of Kilifi Creek. For hundreds
of years it was a trading point for
Arab Dhows which sailed with the monsoon
winds from the Persian Gulf to trade
along the East African coast. The
two yearly monsoons, which blow from
the north east (Kaskazi) and south
east (Kusi) determined a regular schedule
for the dhows through the year.
 These
consistent trade winds and the warm,
clear water ensure excellent sailing
conditions and in February 2003, the
Fireball World Sailing Championships
were held in Kilifi.
Although
there are not many hotels in Kilifi,
there are numerous wonderful private
houses that are up for short-term
rent.
MOMBASA
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Mombasa
is the second largest and only
coastal city and
subsequently, only port, in
Kenya. The Swahili and Arabic
cultures are predominant in
Mombasa. Walking through the
Old Town, one will come across
winding narrow roads, mosques
and open air markets. Bright
colours, spicy scents and an
atmosphere of ancient mystique
will enthrall you. Over four
hundred years ago, the warm
waters of the Indian Ocean and
the port of Mombasa used to
be a passageway for the Arabian
spice trade.
One
of the most internationally
re-known features in Mombasa
is the Fort Jesus. At the end
of the 16th Century, the Portuguese
began to construct the famous
Fort Jesus, which dominates
the entrance of the Mombasa
Harbour. The Fort is now a National
monument and Museum.
The
coastline of Mombasa is split
into the South and the North
Coasts. From both the South
and North coasts, there are
further coastal splits, which
result in many quaint coastal
towns and excellent holiday
beaches. |
MOMBASA
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North
Coast
The gateway
to the North Coast is through
the main Mombasa Island. Mombasa
is accessible either by road,
by air or train. The North Coast
of Mombasa has many more hotels,
restaurants, shops, eateries,
bars and discos than the South
Coast, and is more populated.
Heading
North from Mombasa towards the
Kilifi direction, the resort
beaches are: Nyali, Bamburi,
Vipingo, Mtwapa, Shanzu and
Kikambala.
Some of
the prime attractions on the
North Coast are: The Bamburi
Nature Trail (a wonderful nature
trail across land reclaimed
from a cement quarry), the Mamba
Village (a crocodile farm) and
Bombolulu Crafts (a handicrafts
center whereby all merchandise
is made by disabled people).
In addition to this the offshore
reefs swarming with coral, fish,
dolphins and other aquatic life,
provide the perfect opportunity
for deep-sea fishing, scuba
and cave diving.
Recommended
hotels in the North Coast include:
The Nyali Beach Hotel, Reef Hotel,
Bamburi Beach Hotel, Whitesands
Hotel, the Mombasa Serena Beach
Hotel, Club Sun and Sand, Voyager
Beach Resort. |
MOMBASA
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South
Coast
The
South Coast of Mombasa is a
tropical paradise. Warm sea
water, soft white sand, tropical
forests, the best beach resorts,
spectacular coral reefs, amazing
water sports… In order
to get to the South Coast of
Mombasa, one has to cross  the
Likoni Ferry from the North
Coast and the journey takes
approximately 10 minutes. There
are some amazing beach resorts,
hotels and holiday homes on
the South Coast, the majority
of which are constructed along
the Diani stretch of Beach –
definitely one of the best stretches
of beach
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