| Kenya’s 480 km coast is one of the | | | | Msambweni and Shimoni. These are the beaches |
| principal attractions for visitors to the country. | | | | to the south of Mombasa, where hotel and resort |
| Every year, hundreds of thousands of sun lovers | | | | development has taken place. To get to the |
| find their way here. Many are returning pilgrims | | | | south coast beaches you need to take the ferry |
| who truly know that the sun here is ever faithful. | | | | at Likoni, the southern tip of Mombasa Island. If |
| Unlike other beach destinations, the visitor is | | | | this does not suit you, take a flight to Diani |
| served with much more than just sun and sand | | | | airstrip. Diani beach, 40 km from Mombasa is the |
| but is delighted to discover ancient coastal forests | | | | most developed beach at the south coast. This is |
| and historical sites and a people with a fascinating | | | | the quintessential tropical paradise and here you |
| history and culture. The casual visitor impressed | | | | will find a wide range of hotels, including an 18-hole |
| by the tranquil beaches and gentle people will not | | | | golf resort. Though some of the other beaches |
| suspect the colourful and eventful history of | | | | are excellent, they have limited range of |
| these realms.For the tourist, the Kenyan coast | | | | accommodation and attract fewer people.Shimoni, |
| can be seen as five regions. These are: the town | | | | 100 km from Mombasa is a centre for serious |
| and island of Mombasa; the south coast | | | | deep-sea fishing. It is also from Shimoni that you |
| –stretching from Mombasa to the | | | | can visit the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park. |
| Tanzanian border 135 km away: the north coast- | | | | Here you will see the treasures of |
| covering the beaches from Mombasa up to Kilifi, | | | | Kenya’s underwater world. At the marine |
| 60 km away: Malindi and Watamu about 130 km | | | | park, the snorkeling experience is outstanding and |
| to the northeast of Mombasa and Lamu island and | | | | on a lucky day you will swim with the dolphins. At |
| archipelago, 225 km further up from Malindi. Each | | | | Shimoni, there are a series of deep coastal caves |
| of these regions has similarities in terms of | | | | stretching from the sea to deep inland. Arab |
| history, culture, natural attractions and beach | | | | slavers reportedly used these caves in the dark |
| experience. But as sports fans will understand, it is | | | | days of the slave trade. The slaves who perished |
| the differences that matter to the dedicated fans | | | | here are remembered in Roger |
| of each region.The gateway to the Kenyan coast | | | | Whittaker’s song |
| is Mombasa. You get here by flying into its | | | | “Shimoni”.At the south coast you |
| international airport or by taking the 520 km road | | | | have plenty of chances to indulge in some thrilling |
| journey from Nairobi, the common entry port for | | | | marine activity such as water skiing, wind surfing, |
| most visitors. If you demand the freedom of | | | | scuba diving, goggling and deep-sea fishing. The |
| your own car, consider taking a rental car either in | | | | Shimba Hills National Reserve, directly inland from |
| Nairobi on in Mombasa to help you get around. | | | | Diani is a surprise and you have the opportunity |
| Review the options you have for Kenya Car | | | | to see some of the wildlife that Kenya is famed |
| Rental and Kenya Domestic Flights as you plan to | | | | for. Though the wildlife is not as prolific as in the |
| get there.Mombasa, the principal city at | | | | upcountry game parks, the beautiful rainforest |
| Kenya’s coast is one of the oldest human | | | | and the spectacular Sheldrick Falls make it worth |
| settlements on the eastern seaboard of the | | | | a visit. You can also spend the night here at |
| African continent. Though it has without doubt | | | | Kenya’s only tree lodge at the coast, |
| been in existence for at least 700 years, it is | | | | which has some water holes where elephants and |
| mentioned in writings of Arab, Roman and | | | | other animals come for a drink.The main |
| Egyptian travelers dated as far back as 2,500 | | | | attraction of the north coast is its beaches. |
| years ago. The Arabs came to trade and settle, | | | | Heading north from Mombasa these are: Nyali, |
| starting from about the 8th century AD. With the | | | | Bamburi, Shanzu, Vipingo and Kikambala. Here you |
| push of the northeast monsoon, their dhows | | | | will find hotel and resort complexes to suit the |
| brought ironware, glassware, textiles, and took | | | | taste of most beach holiday enthusiasts. From |
| home rhino horn, ivory and slaves. Substantial | | | | your north coast base, you may want to visit |
| settlements gradually developed and many | | | | Mamba Village, reputed to be one of the |
| traders settled and intermarried with local | | | | worlds’ largest crocodile farms. Those |
| Africans. The Arabs also brought along the | | | | interested in eco conservation projects must not |
| message of the Prophet and the Kenyan coast is | | | | miss Haller Park. The park is named after the |
| even today predominantly Muslim.Relative | | | | Swiss agronomist who by sheer grit and vision |
| tranquility prevailed at the coastal towns until the | | | | transformed a huge abandoned cement quarry |
| Portuguese showed up at the end of the 15th | | | | into a spectacular 7 sq km nature and animal |
| century. The Portuguese were a substantial | | | | sanctuary.At Mtwapa, just beyond Shanzu beach, |
| seafaring power of the day and were anxious to | | | | Kenya Marineland houses some very diverse |
| break the stranglehold of the Ottoman Empire on | | | | marine life, which you view from a glass-sided |
| Indian Ocean trade. Vasco Da Gama opened the | | | | underground tunnel. From the same point, you can |
| way for his compatriots when he made his way | | | | take a dhow sailing trip that includes onboard |
| round the southern tip of Africa and up to | | | | entertainment - acrobatics, fire eating and local |
| eastern Africa in 1498. The Portuguese were not | | | | dancers. Just off the coast, spectacular coral |
| warmly received in Mombasa, but not so at | | | | reefs teem with numerous fish, sea turtles and |
| Malindi. The local sultan offered his ready friendship | | | | dolphins. You have an opportunity for world-class |
| and proved very useful to Da Gama by providing | | | | diving here, including some serious wreck diving. |
| a pilot who knew how to get to India, his ultimate | | | | Diving at the Kenyan coast is good year round, |
| destination.Between the 15th and 19th centuries, | | | | expect in the months of July and August when |
| Mombasa saw plenty of war. For this reason, the | | | | silting and high seas are a problem.Malindi has a |
| city was nicknamed Mvita, which in Swahili | | | | history going back at least 800 years. This is the |
| translates as Isle of War. Fort Jesus, the | | | | only town along the east African coast where the |
| permanent garrison whose construction was | | | | Portuguese found friendship without the |
| started by the Portuguese in 1593, changed | | | | persuasion of arms. Vasco Da Gama erected a |
| masters 9 times before 1875. By the terror of | | | | pillar to serve as a navigation aid that still stands. |
| war, the Portuguese sought to control the east | | | | Today, the town is a particular favourite with |
| African coast. As colonial overlords, the | | | | Italian visitors. Most of the hotel and resort |
| Portuguese were deficient in that they were | | | | development are to the south of the town along |
| mostly interested in plunder and trade and did not | | | | the Silversands beachfront and nearer town |
| establish robust systems of administration. | | | | around Malindi Bay. At Malindi Marine National Park, |
| Another related difficulty they faced was that | | | | you can see some fascinating coral gardens by |
| they were supplied from Goa in India. The student | | | | diving, snorkeling or from a glass bottomed |
| of military theory will recognise this as a classical | | | | boat.Malindi is a respected centre for big game |
| case of “long supply lines”.The | | | | fishing and several world records have been set |
| Portuguese were finally driven out by the | | | | here. The writer Hemingway was here in the |
| emerging power of Omani Arabs in 1729. The | | | | 1930’s to enjoy one of his favourite |
| ascendancy of the Omani Arabs lasted until | | | | macho sports. Watamu, 15 km further south, is a |
| Britain, a leading super power at the time, | | | | small beach development around the beautiful |
| appeared at the beginning of the 19th century. | | | | inlets of Turtle Bay and Blue Lagoon. Watamu too |
| The British came in under the guise of a | | | | has its own Marine Park. At the edge of the park, |
| humanitarian mission- the suppression of the slave | | | | you find a collection of caves housing a school of |
| trade. The Omani Arabs were notorious slave | | | | giant rock cod, some stretching the whole of 2 |
| traders. Christian missionaries put pressure on the | | | | metres. Consider making an excursion to Gedi |
| British government to persuade the Omani Arabs | | | | Ruins, one of Kenya archeological treasures. Gedi |
| to pursue other trade other than trafficking in | | | | is estimated to have been founded in the 13th |
| humans. This is somewhat like the problem the | | | | century but was mysteriously abandoned in the |
| Americans face today in South America with | | | | 17th century. Experts guess that marauding Galla |
| respect to the cocaine trade.The British were | | | | tribesmen from up north did in the |
| actually successful in this, by using time honoured | | | | settlement.Lamu has in recent years found favour |
| carrot and stick tactics. Under the resulting deal, | | | | with the international glitterati. The town has an |
| the Omani Arabs whose headquarters was in | | | | ambience of mediaeval romance that attracts |
| Zanzibar were recognized as overlords over a 16 | | | | those who are offended by the burdens of our |
| km strip along the Kenyan coast. The sultan was | | | | modern existence. Life in the island goes on |
| to be paid an annuity as compensation for | | | | almost like it did in the 14th century when the |
| resulting loss of revenue. This territory acquired | | | | settlement was founded. Lamu has narrow |
| the status of a British Protectorate until 1963 | | | | streets and the town has only a single car for use |
| when the Sultan of Zanzibar ceded it to the | | | | by the top government official. Everybody else |
| newly independent Kenyan nation.Mombasa is | | | | walks, takes a dhow or uses donkey taxis. If you |
| today a cosmopolitan metropolis reflecting the | | | | come in by air you land at nearby Manda Island, |
| influence of Africans, Persians, Arabs, Turks, | | | | from where you take a dhow or ferry. In this |
| Indians, Portuguese and the British. The Old Town | | | | centre of Islamic culture, the men wear full-length |
| is a grid of narrow winding streets lined with | | | | whites and the women are shorn head to toe in |
| houses built to coastal Swahili and Indian styles. | | | | black.Shela is the main beach on the island and is |
| Some of the houses have intricately carved doors | | | | just 15 minutes away by motorboat. You will find |
| similar to what you find in Zanzibar and Lamu. In | | | | good rated accommodation at Lamu. There are |
| the Old Town you will find Fort Jesus, the | | | | also some very pricey hideaways in the |
| permanent garrison built by the hapless | | | | neighboring islands of the archipelago favoured by |
| Portuguese. Fort Jesus, in addition to being an | | | | the jet set. In the centre of the town, you find a |
| attraction itself, houses a museum exhibiting | | | | fort built by invading Omani Arabs in the early |
| various artifacts reflecting the various cultures | | | | 19th century that now serves as a cultural centre. |
| that have influenced the Kenyan coast. You will | | | | Lamu museum is located at the seafront, in a |
| also see articles recovered from the ill-fated | | | | house once occupied by Jack Haggard, Queen |
| Portuguese warship Santo Antonio De Tanna, | | | | Victoria’s consul in this then important |
| which sank in the siege of 1697 that lasted 1000 | | | | outpost. The museum is a repository of Swahili |
| days.In Mombasa you can take an all day dhow | | | | culture and on display are artifacts, dhows, |
| trip and relive the experience of the traders who | | | | jewelry and crafts.At Mombasa and the Kenyan |
| sailed along the East African coast and as far as | | | | Coast you will find rated accommodation. Once |
| India and the Persian Gulf aboard these vessels | | | | you are there, you can take a break to view |
| for centuries. For the past few years, every | | | | some of the wildlife that the country is famed |
| November the Mombasa Carnival has been staged | | | | for. From Mombasa, the nearest park reachable |
| in the town. The Carnival is a lively street parade | | | | by road is Tsavo East, 4 hours away. Another |
| where you see incredibly adorned musicians and | | | | good option is to fly to the Maasai Mara, |
| other artists from the Kenyan coast and other | | | | Kenya’s top wildlife sanctuary and home |
| parts of the country. Street comedians, Swahili | | | | to the big five- elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and |
| Taarab singers, Maasai warriors, brass bands and | | | | buffalo. There are many Kenya safari options with |
| individual artists in outrageous costumes brave the | | | | Mombasa departuresThe Kenyan coast has a |
| November heat to march in the parade.Visitors to | | | | tropical climate and it is a hot and humid place. |
| the south coast usually head to Shelley, Tiwi, Diani, | | | | |