Colobus Conservation Centre

Top choice in Diani Beach

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Notice the monkeys clambering on rope ladders over the road? The 'colobridges' are the work of the Colobus Conservation Centre, which aims to protect the Angolan black-and-white colobus monkey, a once-common species now restricted to some 5000 monkeys in a few isolated pockets of forest south of Mombasa. It runs excellent tours of its headquarters, where you’ll likely get to see a few orphaned or injured colobus, Sykes' and vervet monkeys undergoing the process of rehabilitation to the wild.

With advance notice the centre can organise forest walks (per person KSh1000) in search of wilder primates and other creatures. There's also a wildly popular volunteer program, costing from €750 for three weeks.

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Nearby Diani Beach attractions

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3.46 MILES

This forest, sacred to the Digo people, is the only one of the area's sacred forests that's open to visitors. Visiting this small grove is a nature walk,…

2. Kongo Mosque

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At the far northern end of the beach road (follow the faded sign behind the Jacaranda Resort) is the 16th-century Kongo Mosque – Diani’s last surviving…

3. Marere Dam

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A watering hole that attracts animals, including elephants. Also a great birdwatching spot.

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These pretty 21m-high falls are laced with lianas and greenery, and have a natural plunge pool. Free, two-hour, 2km walks, organised by the Kenya Wildlife…

5. Shimba Hills National Reserve

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This park is among the easiest to visit in Kenya, within spitting distance of Diani Beach, with numerous driving routes and a couple of hiking trails. Its…

6. Elephant Hill

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With the best viewpoint in the reserve, this hill is the place to see elephants. It affords lovely views out over the valley towards the ocean. Armed…

7. Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

18.22 MILES

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8. Tusks

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