KENYA has a long coastline (480km) bordering the Indian ocean with some of the best sandy beaches in the world. Mombasa ,the second largest city in Kenya is found here. If you want to just sit back and enjoy yourself, the coast is the perfect place. The choices are endless, from beach hotels to luxury beach houses in Mombasa's south coast, to Malindi and Lamu in north coast.

MOMBASA

Mombasa is an island and its connected to the mainland by two causeways to the west, a bridge to the north, and a ferry to the south. This city is one of East Africa's oldest settlement. officially Mombasa was founded in 1150 A.D but its believed some kind of settlement existed as far back as 500 B.C

But its most recent history is one of occupation, first by the Arabs then by the Portuguese. On Easter Saturday, 1498, Vasco da Gama's expedition dropped anchor here with no intention of leaving town. Their fort, christened Fort Jesus and completed in 1593 still overlooks the Old town from where it once guarded the harbor. They stayed here until 1720 when their last garrison left Kenya for good after they were completely vanquished by the Arabs.

WHERE TO VISIT IN MOMBASA

While in Mombasa, you can visit FORT JESUS now a National museum, and go back in time when this fascinating building was the theatre of gruesome battles between the Arabs, the Portuguese and the locals. There is also MOMBASA OLD TOWN with its narrow streets still existing today.

SHIMBA HILLS NATIONAL PARK is found a short drive from Mombasa island in South coast. Here you will find the beautiful Sable antelope, Impala, Bushbuck, Cape buffalo and the elusive leopard.

From Mombasa you can also take a detour up north through the town of KILIFI to MALINDI. This is a luxurious drive through beautiful countryside lined with coconut palms and Sisal. After Kilifi, take a detour to the ancient CITY OF GEDI, a 13th century swahili settlement. Arrive in Malindi for lunch after which you can visit THE MALINE/WATAMU NATIONAL PARK. On your way back to your hotel you can visit a coastal village for a traditional gig.

The TAMARIND DHOW SAFARI is also worth a visit. You have a choice of lunch at 1200hrs. or dinner at 1830hrs. The Tamarind dhow cruises past the Old Town and Fort Jesus while a band plays local tunes.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Nairobi Mombasa is about 7 hours by road, but its only 45 minutes by air. The Kenyan coast is also accessible directly from Europe. Some of the main flights are;

FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Monarch Airlines has a weekly flight from London and Manchester to Mombasa.

FROM GERMANY
Condor flies 2/3 times a week from Frankfurt to Mombasa with connections with other European cities e.g Oslo, Stockholm, Brussels, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Paris, Rome etc

AIR BERLIN
They operate direct flights from Munich and Dusseldorf to Mombasa with connections to other European cities.

FROM BELGIUM.
Jet Air Fly has weekly flights from Brussels to Mombasa.

MARTIN AIR
They have weekly flight from Amsterdam to Mombasa.

SWISS AIR
They fly to Mombasa every Thursday from Zurich.

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES.

Ethiopian Airlines flies to Mombasa 3 times weekly from Addis. They also fly from many European capitals so they can connect you to Mombasa via Addis.

FROM NAIROBI

Kenya Airways Operate several flights daily to the Kenyan coast.

Air Kenya Also operate regular flights to Mombasa and Malindi from Wilson Airport every
day.

Fly 540 Flies 3 times daily to Malindi.

SAFARI LINK

Flies to the South coast from Wilson Airport.

WHERE TO STAY

NORTH COAST

Mombasa Serena beach Hotel ( www.serenahotels.com)
Bamburi beach Hotel (www.bamburibeachkenya.com)
Severin Beach Hotel (www.severin-kenya.com)
Paradise Beach Hotel
Nyali Beach Hotel
Sun and Sand Beach Hotel (www.sunnsand.co.ke.)
Mombasa Beach Hotel
Tamarind Village
Whitesands (www.sarovahotels.com)
Neptune Beach Resort (www.neptunehotels.com)
Kenya Beach Hotel
Reef Hotel
Voyager Beach Resort

SOUTH COAST

Baobab Beach Hotel (www.baobab-beach-resort.com)
Diani Reef Grand Hotel (www.dianireef.com)
Diani Sea Lodge
Diani House
Forrest Dream Cottages
Golden Beach Hotel
Indian Ocean Beach Club (www.jacarandahotels.com)
Jadini Beach Hotel (www.alliancehotels.com)
Safari Beach Hotel (www.alliancehotels.com)
Africana Sea Lodge (www.alliancehotels.com)
Leisure Lodge (www.leisurelodgeresort.com)
Leopard Beach Hotel (www.leopardbeachhotel.com)
Neptune Paradise Beach Hotel (www.neptunehotels.com)
Shimoni Reef Lodge
Travellers Tiwi Beach Hotel
Tradewinds Hotel
Two Fishes Hotel
Pinewood Village Beach Resort (www.pinewood-village.com)
Nomad Beach Hotel
Tiwi Beach Resort (www.tiwibeachresort.com)
Southern palms Beach Resort (www.southernpalms.com)
The Sands (Nomad) (www.thesandatnomad.com)

LAMU

The Lamu archipelago is one of the most important sources for knowledge about pre-colonial Africa. Archeological sites show that the town have existed on the islands for at least 1200 years. Lamu town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its one of Kenya's most fascinating destination. Lamu archipelago is 30 minutes flight from Malindi. Access to Lamu Island is only possible by boat. The town is linked to the mainland and the three other small islands of Kiwaiyu, Kiunga and Manda by waterways. You land at Manda airstrip and then travel by boat to Lamu. Transport is by donkeys only due to the fact that the streets are too narrow for cars. There is a thriving swahili culture here that have defied passage of time,
life here is unhurried and peaceful.

WHERE TO STAY

Kipungani Explorer
Lamu Palace Hotel
Petley's Inn
Baytil Ajaib (www.baytilajaib.com)
Lamu World (www.lamuworld.com)
Island Hotel
Peponi Hotel
Shela House (www.lamu-shela.com) or (www.shelahouse.com)
Beach House
Palm House
Garden House
Kijani House

MALINDI

When VASCO DA GAMA the Portuguese explorer visited Malindi with his fleet In 1498, he was met with unexpected warm welcome. This reputation for hospitality to strangers is still felt here up to today. The best time to visit Malindi is in August as well as December and January. Malindi/Watamu Marine National Park is found here. Malindi is also a Game-Fishing centre with regular competitions held here, its also a bit of a surfing resort.

Snorkeling and other water sports like windsurfing, water-skiing, diving and deep-sea game fishing can all be enjoyed here.

WHERE TO STAY

Blue Marlin Hotel
Coral Beach Resort
Eden Roc Hotel (www.edenrockenya.com)
Kilili Baharini Resort (www.kililibaharini.com)
Palm Garden Hotel
The Driftwood Beach Club (www.driftwoodclub.com)
Scorpio Villas
Turtle Bay Club
Tropical African Dream Village (www.planhotel.com)
Tropical Beach Resort
Coral Key (www.coralkeymalindi.com)
Woburn Residence Club