- Where to go to sunbathe?
- Weather features of a beach holiday in Kenya
- On the ocean shore
- On the edge of the world
- Lamu Archipelago
The pearl of the black continent, Kenya has time to show the curious traveler a lot of interesting things. Elephants, rhinos and lions await meetings with tourists in national parks, the capital of Nairobi is pleased to offer original photos at a giraffe farm, coral reefs of Watamu reserve guarantee unforgettable diving, and beach holidays in Kenya at the resorts of Malindi and Lamu will be quite exotic even for the most advanced discoverers of new horizons. The question of where to sunbathe will be answered by the reviews of those who have already touched the charms of Kenyan beaches and enjoyed the magnificent ocean views.
Where to go to sunbathe?
The east coast of Kenya is washed by the Indian Ocean, on the edge of which all the beach resorts of the country are located:
- Coral reefs serve as a reliable protection of Malindi from ocean storms. In the coastal waters, a marine reserve is organized, where hundreds of species of fish are found. The modern infrastructure, which includes shops, hotels, restaurants and entertainment centers, provides bright leisure for vacationers at the resort.
- The resort of Mombasa is located on the island of the same name of coral origin. It is connected to the mainland by several dams, has its own international airport and a sufficient number of attractions, some of which are worthy of being on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- A peaceful rest in the bosom of nature is guaranteed by the Watamu resort. It was built on the territory of a national park and the leisure of guests of the local hotels consists of secluded relaxation on the beaches and sea excursions.
- The Lamu Archipelago in the north of the Kenyan sea coast is the ideal destination for those looking for a break from civilization. There are no cars on the islands, they are surrounded by mangroves, and in the main city there is still no house numbering.
When sunbathing in Kenya, plan to visit the national parks! Perfect white sand and turquoise Indian Ocean will be a worthy end to an intense African tour.
Weather features of a beach holiday in Kenya
The country is recommended for beach holidays all year round, because it is crossed by the equator and the local climate is more than suitable: the average air temperature fluctuates around + 28 ° C in any season.
In Kenya, there are two rainy periods. In April and May, the coastal provinces suffer from long rainfalls, which can last for more than an hour, and in October-December, it is time for "short rains" that fall within a few minutes, but very abundantly.
Among other natural features are the tides, which are quite noticeable in this part of the Indian Ocean.
On the ocean shore
Just 45 minutes flight from Nairobi is the airport of the resort of Mombasa, one of the most popular with tourists in Kenya. The best hotels in Mombasa are built south of the city, but budget hostels and guesthouses can be found, on the contrary, in the center of the resort.
Luxury beaches: Nyali and Shantsu, Bamburi and Kikambala - north of the city and Diani and Shelley - south of Mombasa. As part of the government program Kenya Wildlife Servisece, Kenya's beaches are constantly being improved and cleaned, and the service staff are taking appropriate courses on working with tourists.
The Mombasa resort is well known to admirers of medieval defensive architecture. The local Fort Jesus, built in 1593 on the ocean shore, is such an imposing structure that UNESCO has included it in the World Heritage List. There is a museum on the territory of the fortification, the exposition of which is dedicated to the period of Portuguese rule.
On the edge of the world
The first of the Europeans to set foot on the Kenyan coast near the modern resort of Malindi in 1498 was the navigator Vasco da Gama, as evidenced by the coral monument on the ocean coast, erected at the same time and perfectly preserved. Other attractions include traditional Swahili-style buildings in the center of the Old City.
Italians are very fond of beach holidays in Kenya on the shores of Malindi, and therefore the resort is equipped with much for their needs: restaurants and casinos, nightclubs and luxury hotels. Inexpensive tours in Malindi are available if you choose a hotel in the old city, where it is best to settle with a youth group.
The resort's beaches are sandy, with a gentle and convenient entrance to the water. Special entertainment - diving and snorkeling, available at any time of the year. Dive equipment rental centers are located on the beaches.
Lamu Archipelago
Lamu consists of several islands of different sizes, the largest of which are actually Lamu, Manda and Pathé. The archipelago's main city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an ancient open-air museum.
Active tourists are attracted not only by beach holidays in Kenya, but also by local nature reserves, one of which is located just on the archipelago. The Kiunga Nature Reserve protects mangrove forests and especially rare species of their inhabitants. Camping sites have been built on the shores for those who are not afraid of the lack of developed infrastructure.
The archipelago's beaches are some of the best in the country:
- On the island of Manda, it will especially appeal to lovers of solitude and silence. Hotel prices, respectively, are much higher than the national average.
- Most of the archipelago's hotels are concentrated on Lamu Island in the Shela Beach area. The infrastructure allows you to spend your holidays in comfort, do water sports and enjoy high-quality service.
- At the western end of Lamu, there is only one hotel with a basic, but rather weak infrastructure, and therefore fans of silence will prefer rest here.
Diving is thriving in the archipelago, and there are many reefs in the Kiunga National Park, where time flies under the water imperceptibly and fascinatingly.
It is not difficult to choose a hotel on Lamu depending on income: both inexpensive guesthouses and luxurious villas on the ocean coast are open on the islands.
