ITINERARY
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DAY 1 – ARRIVAL
Today you will arrive in Mombasa. We will welcome you at the airport and drive you south wards to Diani Beach, where you can relax at the pool or the beach.
Diani beach is about 17 kilometres (11 mi) long, from the Kongo river to the north and Galu beach to the south (the southern point of reference is an old Baobab tree). With a population of over 100,000 inhabitants, the Diani/Ukunda urban area is one of the largest at the Kenyan coast and forms part of the larger Mombasa metropolitan region.
A small airstrip - Ukunda Airport - is located between the beach area and the Mombasa-Lunga Lunga road. The water remains shallow near shore, with some underwater sandbars near the surface which allow wading with a clear view of the sandy bottom. Inland from the beach, there is extensive vegetation including numerous palm trees which cover the coastal areas, unlike the dry acacia trees of the mountainous Kenyan Highlands. The Mwachema River flows into the sea at Diani Beach.
The 16th century Kongo Mosque is located at the Northern tip of Diani Beach, where the Kongo river flows into the ocean separating Diani beach from Tiwi. It is the last remaining ancient Swahili structure in Diani.The general area is known for its coral reefs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and for the closely located Shimba Hills National Reserve, a wildlife reserve which looks out over the Indian Ocean.
Diani Beach has restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and several shopping centres. Diani Beach is also a popular kitesurfing, jet skiing, and snorkelling location.
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DAY 2 – RELAX
Use the first full day to relax and discover Diani Beach. Walk at the beach and enjoy one of the nice beach bars like Nomads, Salty Squid or Pallet Café´. Have a sundowner at the Kongo River or rent a bike.
DAY 3 – WASINI ISLAND OR FUNZI ISLAND.
Choose an Excursion for today:
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Wasini Island
You will be picked from your hotel at around 7.00 am and drive to Wasini Island along Mombasa – Lunga Lunga highway, a distance of 100 km, arriving at around 8.30 am. Arrive at Shimoni Jet where you will board an Arabic dhow and sail for one hour searching for dolphins. Sail to Kisite marine national park where you will snorkel and swim. Kisite Marine national park is the second most famous marine park in the world after the Australian Marine Park. It covers an area of 30km2. Animals seen here include turtles, marine tortoise, bear reefs, coral reefs and different types of marine fishes. You will have your lunch at a restaurant in Wasini which is mainly sea food and Swahili dishes. After lunch, you will sail along the mangrove swamps and then visit the Wasini Island where you will learn more about the Swahili people and the Arabs history. In the 10th century, Arabs were slave traders and they used to inter marry with the Bantus at the coast and there we had the Swahili people. After the end of the slave trade in the 17th century, many Africans settled here and so don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the Swahili people. Arrive at the jet at around 4.00 pm and drive back to the hotel.
Funzi Island Tour
Funzi island south coast 35 kms from Ukunda, Diani Beach. Funzi island day tours for the mangrove cruise, crocodile watch at Ramisi river, marine birds, swimming, snorkeling in Funzi sandbank, village walk. A Trip to Funzi is full day with early pick up either from Mombasa (supplement) or Diani Beach and it’s an easy day full of fun in the best Funzi environment away from the crowd.
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DAY 4 – RELAX
Today you can relax and discover Diani Beach again or book an additional excursion like A Dhow tour or a tour with a Tuk Tuk. In the evening you can enjoy a good wine at Apero Bar or have a romantic dinner at Ali Barbour Caves´s.
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DAY 5 – A VISIT TO KAYA KINONDO SACRED FOREST
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and drive south to the Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest. Kaya Kinondo is a 30 hectare forest, one of the sacred Mijikenda forests and a proposed heritage site by UNESCO, located in the Diani Beach area south of Mombasa. The local Digo community has formed Kaya Kinondo Ecotourism project that offers controlled access into this pristine and untouched forest. The forest is still used for rituals and sacrificial offering by the local Digo tribe.
A walk through the forest, which forms a rich ecosystem with 187 species of plants, some of which are rare and a few, endemic to the area. There are also animals, mostly primates (monkeys), dik-diks and Elephants. You will also have the opportunity to visit Kinondo Village and interact with members of the local community including the medicine man.
Kaya Kinondo ecotourism project is an initiative by the community in promoting conservation and sustainable development. The project was founded in 2001 with the initial support from WWF and NMK and the community has seen better protection of the Kaya which has realized socio economic benefits of their commitment to forest conservation. Return to your hotel in time for lunch.
DAY 6 - SHIMBA HILLS AND MWALUNGANJE ELEPHANT SANCTURY
Shimba Hills is a tropical rain forest which covers an area of 202 km2. Physical attractions include casuarinas forests, Marere Dam (a water hole where come to drink water), Sheldrick Waterfalls. The landscape is grassland. Animals seen in this area include elephants, bufalos, giraffes, impalas, heeartbeasts, rare leopards, black and white monkeys, attractive sable antelopes, and roan antelopes among others.
Shimba Hills has different species of birds like (tropical guinea fowls, fish eagles, falcons and weaver birds, ground horny bills among others. The coastal ecosystem of shimba hills comprise of a heterogeneous habitat including forestlands, exotic plantations, scrublands and grasslands.
The ecosystem holds one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa after Arabuko-Sokoke forest. The reserve is rich in flora and fauna and hosts the highest density of African elephant in Kenya. Other animal species found in the area are Sable antelope, black and rufous elephant shrew, bushy tailed mongoose and other small mammals like fruit bat. The forest is an important bird area and is endowed with forest birdlife while the grasslands hold localized species such as red-necked-Spurfowl, Croaking Cisticola and Zanzibar Red Bishop.
You can hike the Sheldrick Falls or a waterfall in Mwalunganje. Afterwards you will be welcome at Mandhari Lodge after a cocktail at the pool you will enjoy a 3 course meal with a breath taking view. Return to the hotel.
DAY 7 – RELAX
Your last day is here. Enjoy the beach a last time.
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DAY 8 – DEPARTURE
Drop off at Mombasa airport.
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INCLUDED
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7 nights at Simba Village Penthouse
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English speaking guide
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Excursions mentioned
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All taxes and duties.
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Airport transfers.
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24 hours stand by service for your questions.
EXCLUDED
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Visa fees and travel insurance.
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Tips.
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Drinks.
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Surcharges at Easter, Christmas and New Year.
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Laundry.
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Anything not mentioned in the itinerary.
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