KENYAN COAST (MOMBASA, LAMU, MALINDI)

Mombasa
Situated on the eastern coastline of Africa in Kenya on the edge of the Indian Ocean, Mombasa is Kenya’s second largest and most important city and probably the most important sea port on the east coast of Africa, serving Kenya and the landlocked countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. It is also one of the oldest cities in East Africa, said to have been marked on maps as long ago as the 2nd century by the Egyptian cartographer Ptolemy.

Mombasa has a rich and colourful history having been ruled by the Portuguese, Arabs and lastly the British, all of who have had an influence on the town's culture and touristic attractions incLuding ruins such as Fort Jesus and the Old Town. Because of its natural harbor and location on the Indian Ocean trading routes, many wars were fought for its possession before Kenya became independent in 1963.

In 1498, Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama made his celebrated entry into Mombasa to spread the gospel but received a hostile welcome. Later his country men returned to build Fort Jesus and start a reign that lasted 200 years. They were overthrown by the Omani Arabs who reigned until they themselves were overthrown by the British. The British ruled Mombasa from 1888 to 1963 when Kenya became an independent country.  

Blessed with long white sandy beaches, diverse marine life and an array of high quality hotels and resorts and the very hospitable Kenyan people, Mombasa is today one of the most important  tourist destinations in Africa.

Mombasa is an island surrounded by a ring of water and then the mainland sort of curves around it. To the south and to the north of Mombasa are long stretches of white sandy beaches which are in fact part of the main land. The railway station, Moi International Airport and other important places and features are in Mombasa City Centre which is on the island. The north coast is the coastline to the north of Mombasa. The south coast is the coastline to the south of Mombasa. To get to the southcoast from Mombasa Island, one has to cross the ocean on a ferry, the Likoni Ferry. To get to the northcoast from Mombasa Island, we drive across a long bridge called the Nyali Bridge. The tourist hotels in Mombasa are all along the north coast and south coast. There are no high quality hotels on Mombasa Island itself. The northcoast hotels are closer to Mombasa Island and the southcoast hotels are a bit further. The southcoast beach is said to be generally nicer and cleaner than the northcoast beach while the northcoast has a wider selection hotels and enjoys much easier access to Mombasa City/island.

An array of activities and water sports for suitable for the young and old alike complement the high quality of accommodation offered in Mombasa. These include a City of Mombasa, Shopping Excursions for artifacts, trips to the nearby Shimba Hills, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, Cultural Excursions, Evening/dinner dhow cruises, Trips to the Marine parks in glass bottomed boats, sailing, waterskiing, jet-skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing etc. Big game fishing is possible from December to March on a tag and release basis using chartered boats with state of the art equipment. The main game fish include Sailfish and Marlin, Kingfish, Wahoo, Horse Mackerel and others.
There are many excellent restaurants catering for different palates but most of them serve sea food. Nightlife is always exciting with numerous discos, clubs and casinos giving Mombasa its famed tag ‘Mombasa Raha’ which means Mombasa fun. Karibu Mombasa

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING HOTELS IN THE SOUTH:

Indian Ocean Beach Club
Leopard Beach Resort
Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa
Southern Palms Beach Resort

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING HOTELS IN THE NORTH COAST:

Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel
Whitesands Beach Resort
Voyager Beach Resort
Sun & Sand Beach Resort

THE FOLLOWING SOUTH EXCLUSIVE HOUSES COME HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:

The Funzi Keys
Alfajiri
Diani House

Please call or e-mail us now for your ‘special’ Mombasa stays or flying package from Nairobi.

Malindi & Watamu
Malindi town and Watamu village to its south sit on the Kenya coast between Mombasa to the south and Lamu to the north. They are at the centre of a strip of idyllic tropical white sandy beaches that are mostly free from seaweed all year round. This old town has been in existence from the 15 century AD when it welcomed Vasco Dagama in 1498 during his celebrated sojourn into the east coast of Africa. Some of Malindi’s features date back the 16th century AD during the Portuguese occupation. A small whitewashed chapel to the south of town is believed to have been the first Christian church in East Africa while the original Vasco Da Gama cross commemorating the explorer’s arrival in Malindi still stands at the entrance to the bay.

Tourist attractions in Malindi and Watamu include the 213 sq km Malindi Marine National Park and Watamu Marine National Park both of which can be visited with glass bottomed boats to see the spectacular coral reefs and are ideal for divers and snorkelers alike. The spectacular Marafa Depression, locally known as Nyari or Hell's Kitchen, sandstone gorges and gullies, the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and the Gedi ruins are all worth paying a visit.

Walking through Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve’s winding paths, one can find rare endemic birds and mammals and visiting herds of Elephant. The Gedi ruins are a replica of the rich cultural history of Africa’s northern coastal region. It is the ruins of a deserted trading Swahili town hidden deep in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest. Its winding passages and crumbling walls tell of a long and mysterious past. Gedi is believed to have been a thriving city between the 13th and 17th centuries AD. The ruins include tombs, a mosque, houses and remains of a palace. They are preserved as a major historical monument in the coastal region.

Other activities include exploration of the mangroves by boat, snorkeling, diving off the reef or even big game fishing from the hotels and resorts. Malindi is one of Kenya’s principal deep-sea fishing spots and trips may be organized at most of the hotels and resorts. The best times are during the drier seasons as during rains, silt from the rivers limits visibility.

Malindi is home to a wide selection of world class hotels, resorts, quiet relaxing hideaways.

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING HOTELS IN MALINDI AND WATAMU:

Hemmingways Hotel, Watamu
Turtle Bay Beach Club
Eden roc Hotel

Please call or e-mail us now for your ‘special’ Malindi stays and flying package from Nairobi!

 LAMU
The Lamu archipelago to the far north on the Kenyan coastline is another old island town that seems lost in the tides of history. Like Mombase and Malindi to its south, Lamu is one of the oldest living towns on the African coast, having been founded around the 9th & 10th centuries AD from early Arab dhow trade. It was one of the original Arab settlements that stretched from Somalia to Mozambique and thrived throughout the Portuguese invasions and the Omani domination both of which were supported by a slave-based economy until their overthrow by the British at the end of the 20th century.

Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa with most buildings dating back to the 18th century. The town seems to have refused to bow to today’s civilization retaining its traditional functions. The physical appearance and character of Lamu has changed very little over the centuries. The population remains almost wholly Muslim. Narrow streets in Lamu are still only used by people and donkeys. Except for the famed Landrover belonging to the local District Commissioner, there is not a single other vehicle on the island. Lamu’s architecture and urban structures that includes ancient mosques and palaces with giant hand-carved doors graphically showcase cultural influences from Europe, Arabia and India utilizing traditional Swahili techniques to produce a distinct culture over hundreds of years.

The entire archipelago gained popularity as a tourist destination in the 1970s as an exotic and remote destination with a rich and colorful history, un-spoilt beaches, numerous historical and cultural touristic sites and an easy life, the ideal place to unwind and get away from the hustle and bustle of modern day life. Touristic sites in and around Lamu include the Shela and Matondoni villages, the Lamu Fort, the Swahili House Museum and Donkey Sanctuary and many more. Generally, the entire Lamu is a touristic site and now a UNESCO world heritage site. There are a few high standard hotels/resorts in Lamu and some hideaways for the romantics scattered across the several smaller islands though most of them are in Shela Beach with its 8 miles of pristine beach.

There are daily schedule flights from Nairobi and Mombasa. Driving is not recommended.

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING HOTELS IN THE NORTH COAST:

Peponi Hotel
Kijani House
Kipungani Explorer

Please call or e-mail us now for your ‘special’ Lamu stays and flying package from Nairobi.