Pink flowers against a tropical backdrop of palm tress and Fort Jesus in old town Mombasa, Kenya

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South Coast

From the hypnotic port city of Mombasa south to the border with Tanzania, this stretch of Kenyan coast is anything but ordinary. Where else can you see snow-white beaches framed by kayas (sacred forests), soft-sailed dhows and elephant watering holes, all in one day, returning by night to your digs along one of the most beautiful beaches in Africa?

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Kenya.

    Fort Jesus

    Mombasa

    This 16th-century fort and Unesco World Heritage treasure is Mombasa’s most visited site. The metre-thick walls, frescoed interiors, traces of European…

  • Kaya Kinondo

    Kaya Kinondo

    Diani Beach

    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,…

  • Jumba la Mtwana

    Jumba la Mtwana

    South Coast

    These Swahili ruins, just north of Mtwapa Creek, have as much archaeological grandeur as the more famous Gede ruins. Jumba la Mtwana means ‘Big House of…

  • Wasini Island and Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, Kenya.

    Kisite Marine National Park

    Wasini Island

    Off the south coast of Wasini, this gorgeous marine park, which also incorporates the Mpunguti Marine National Reserve and the two tiny Penguti islands,…

  • A bench with a view in Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya.

    Shimba Hills National Reserve

    South Coast

    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…

  • Haller Park

    Haller Park

    South Coast

    This lovely wildlife sanctuary, part of the Baobab Adventure complex, includes a fish farm and reptile park. Guided walks around the park last about 1½…

  • Colobus Conservation Centre

    Colobus Conservation Centre

    Diani Beach

    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…

  • Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

    Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

    South Coast

    This sanctuary is a good example of community-based conservation, with local people acting as stakeholders in the project. It was opened in October 1995…

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Go Beyond

South Coast and beyond

Beyond South Coast
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