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» Indian Ocean Beaches |
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South Coast (Diani Beach) | North Coast | Malindi & Watamu | Lamu | Kiwayu |
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The Kenya coast is one of the country’s main attractions: it offers a combination of historical sites, a strong influence from the past and cultural traditions preserved to the present day with superb beaches, excellent deep sea fishing and diving opportunities. The coast offers an easy going unhurried pace of life, traditional architecture and a unique Swahili culture which has evolved over the centuries. A visit to the coast should not be missed.
The history of the coast goes back to before the 12th Century and in particular, the old town of Mombasa city shows heavy influence of the previous rulers such as the beautiful Persian influenced carved doors found on some buildings, and the Portuguese built fortress, Fort Jesus. South of Mombasa, its basically beaches all the way to the Tanzanian border with some very good scuba diving and fishing off-shore Shimoni, and apart from the development of popular Diani Beach over the years, everything else is low key. To the North is the coastal resort of Malindi with the nearby interesting historical site of Gedi, together with excellent diving off-shore Malindi and Watamu Beach.
Further North is the island of Lamu, an Arab influenced town which has been a traveler's Mecca for years, and still draws visitors by the thousands, some of whom own architectural Swahili-Arab influenced holiday homes on the island. A truly unique place, Lamu is a romantic town that has survived time without undergoing much change, an exotic getaway for visitors, where donkeys are the only mode of transport. The streets are narrow and winding. Famous for its colourful annual Maulidi festival. The perfect place for honeymooners and couples. |
Hotels and Resorts at the Kenya Coast
The Express Travel Group has excellent relations with all hotels and exclusive establishments, and the following is a selection, amongst others, with whom the company deals with:
Pemba Channel Fishing Club , Shimoni: Close to the Tanzanian border offers superb deep sea fishing and diving opportunities. The Pemba Channel is the best place for fishing in Kenya, and is arguably the best place in Africa. The Blue Marlin is the finest fighter of all Marlins and provides one of the greatest thrills in fishing. Virtually all striped Marlin in all line classes together with many other fish in the Africa Records List were caught in the Pemba Channel. Accommodation is available to all visiting anglers at the exclusive club offering personal service, cool airy bungalows, a charming bar-lounge, a good size swimming pool and excellent cuisine.
Boats are kept in first class order, with experienced crew who really do their best.
Best times: August to November – provides good sport for Yellowfin Tuna, amongst which are often found big Blue, Striped and Black Marlin. December to March is the Billfish season proper.
The Funzi Keys : An exclusive private `getaway’ property south of Diani Beach, featuring 8 spacious cottages with palm thatched roof and furnished with an imaginative mix of rustic and elegant furniture, antiques and artifacts. Each cottage boasts a Jacuzzi with a sea view in addition to an ensuite bathroom. The owners encourage an unstructured day which may be spent around the free form swimming pool on the beach or the choice of various water- sports facilities, as well as snorkeling, sun-set cruises and dolphin sightings by dhow and, deep sea fishing. Subject to prevailing weather conditions, a memorable experience is a dinner romantically served on an 80 foot Jahazi (large dhow) moored in the channel in front of the main building.
Alfajiri : Diani Beach is considered one of the finest on the Kenyan coast. A palm fringed white sandy beach lapped by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. An exclusive property, Alfajiri is a bright and airy Caribbean style private house beautifully decorated with artifacts from Africa and the Far East. It overlooks the sea and its elevated position ensures privacy and stunning views. Ensuite bedrooms boasting large windows, wooden beams, Lamu carved doors, and a large verandah. A stretch swimming pool and superb Italian influenced cuisine completes the perfect beach getaway.
 Indian Ocean Beach Club (picture left) : A luxurious beach resort . The Moorish style rooms are scattered `village style’ amongst palm trees and hundred year old Baobab trees in the spacious gardens. Excellent facilities, and tasteful attractive décor. Free water sports (except deep sea fishing and diving)
Leopard Beach Hotel : A top class resort hotel on Diani Beach offering a high standard of facilities and excellent accommodation. An ideal hotel for those who enjoy a wide range of activities, waters ports and entertainment. The hotel has recently undergone a major renovation and now ranks among the best resort hotels on the Mombasa coast.
Safari Beach Hotel, Jadini Beach Hotel and Africana Sea Lodge: Sister hotels situated on Diani Beach, with interchangeable facilities for each others guests.
 Safari Beach Hotel (picture) is built in traditional open plan style of whitewash coral and palm-thatch roofing. Jadini Beach Hotel has recently been completely refurbished with all accommodation sea-facing. Africana Sea Lodge offers rondavel style accommodation grouped in clusters. All three hotels have plenty of facilities, good standards of accommodation and meals with exceptional all round value.
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Nyali Beach Hotel: The first, and still a great favourite amongst repeat visitors to the Kenya coast. Combines traditional Kenyan charm and hospitality with a wide variety of accommodation and facilities, 7 different restaurants, 2 swimming pools, and free golf at nearby Nyali Golf Club. Close to Mombasa Island.
Voyager Beach Resort : The resort with its imaginative maritime theme offers half-board or all inclusive options and various levels of accommodation. The resort comprises two resorts linked by a shopping arcade and an array of facilities. A pool complex with Jacuzzi, entertainment arena, a choice of different restaurants, lounges, coffee shops and bars and the well known Starion night club. Activities include waters ports, deep sea fishing, diving, tennis, table tennis, pool and a small fitness center. One of the best value hotels on the coast.
Whitesands : A large resort hotel built in an attractive mix of Swahili and Indian style designs. The hotel offers a wide variety of facilities including an extensive free-form swimming pool. Ideal for families and younger persons. Whitesands is ideally placed for shopping, nightlife and local excursions.
 Serena Beach Hotel (picture left) : Suffice it to say that the hotel is a member of the `Leading Hotels of the World’. A deluxe, well established hotel built in attractive Swahili style architecture, with consistent excellent management, and high standards of service and cuisine.
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Hemingways Beach Resort (Watamu): Seclusion, unspoilt beaches, charm, well appointed rooms, high standard of cuisine and a friendly atmosphere. Watamu beach has recently been ranked amongst the ten best in the world, and the hotel’s five star status has earned it recognition as a member of the `Small Luxury Hotels of the World’. Hemingways has a well known reputation for deep sea fishing, snorkeling and diving.
Hemingways Beach Resort
Driftwood Beach Club (Malindi) : A small privately owned hotel, the first establishment on Malindi’s Silversands beach with simple palm-thatched roof accommodation in en-suite chalets with an informal ambience and a `laid back’ atmosphere. A popular family hotel.
Indian Ocean Lodge : Nestled in a sea of colourful bougainvillea and shaded from the tropical sun by three immense Baobab trees, Indian Ocean Lodge stands sentinel at the head of Silversands beach overlooking the Marine Park. A privately owned 8 bedroomed Arab style house with swimming pool – the epitome of privacy and tranquility. An excerpt from the visitors book “Life doesn’t get much better than this, … food brilliant, from breakfast outside under the baobab tree watching the fishermen breech the reef in their dhows, to candlelit dinner overlooking the ocean... - surely one of Kenya’s treasures”.
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 Peponi Hotel: Featured as one of the 300 `Best Hotels of the World’, Peponi is simple, fresh, friendly and cheerful – "no frozen foods, no frozen smiles”. It was a house that grew into a hotel, and an idea that little by little took shape. An entire village looks to Peponi as its `watering hole’. “A place that is both luxurious beyond one’s dream and innocent of all pretence”. Privately owned and managed, 20 en-suite rooms on the waters edge known for its superb cuisine and miles of beach for exploring.
 Kipungani: Overlooking Kipungani channel on the remote southwestern tip of Lamu Island, 14 spacious and secluded chalet’s sit above the soft white sands of Kipungani bay. The chalet’s are constructed from local materials, the interior is rustic simplicity, with giant king-size beds and hand made furniture made from local mangrove and the floor and sides lined with palm thatch matting from floor to thatched roof. Each chalet has a wide sea-facing verandah with sofas piled high with colourful cushions. A 90 minute flight from Nairobi brings you to Manda island where you will be met and transported by boat to the lodge, located two degrees south of the Equator on the edge of a deserted 14 kilometre beach. One of the few places on the Kenyan coast facing west with magnificent views of the sunset. Welcome to a truly simple yet comfortable barefoot luxury getaway. There is a small swimming pool.
Kizingo: The latest addition to Lamu Island is a privately owned establishment located on the southern tip with 6 spacious ensuite bandas (chalet’s) built from local materials, powered by solar lighting. All have an Indian Ocean sea view, with views of the sunrise and sunset.
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 Kiwayu Safari Village: A 15-minute flight north of Lamu, the Kiwayu Safari Village nestles amongst the mainland dunes, overlooking a sheltered lagoon. Cleverly tucked away between young Borassus palms, 18 individual spacious Banda (chalet) accommodation with palm-thatched roof, dressing area and en-suite safari style shower, with hammock strung verandah offers total privacy and panoramic views over the lagoon. A swim suit, a Kanga or Kikoi (sarong) and a hat is all that is required for a perfect barefoot luxury holiday. Ideal for honeymooners.
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 Hotels & Resorts in Zanzibar
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