Must-see attractions in South Coast

  • 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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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…

  • Mkwiro

    Wasini Island

    Mkwiro is a small village on the unvisited eastern end of Wasini Island. The gorgeous hour-long walk from Wasini village, through woodlands, past tiny…

  • Mamba Village Crocodile Farm

    South Coast

    This is the largest reptile farm in Kenya, with guided tours taking you past several pools where you can see the crocs in various stages of development:…

  • Kongo Mosque

    Diani Beach

    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…

  • Slave Caves

    South Coast

    These caves are where slaves were supposedly kept before being loaded onto boats and shipped to Zanzibar. A custodian takes you around the dank caverns to…

  • Spice Market

    Mombasa

    This market, which stretches along Nehru and Langoni Rds west of the Old Town, is an evocative, sensory overload – expect lots of jostling, yelling,…

  • Mombasa Marine National Park & Reserve

    South Coast

    The offshore Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve has impressive marine life, although it cops some pollution from industry in the area. You can hire…

  • Mandhry Mosque

    Mombasa

    Founded in 1570, Mandhry Mosque in the Old Town is the city's oldest, and an excellent example of Swahili architecture, which combines the elegant…

  • Kenyatta Beach

    South Coast

    Busy with vacationing Kenyan families and snack sellers peddling their wares, Kenyatta Beach is the place to come if you're looking for a totally local…

  • Nyali Beach

    South Coast

    This attractive strip of white sand practically disappears at high tide – particularly its northern end. At the southern end of the beach, look out for…

  • Sheldrick Falls

    South Coast

    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…

  • Old Law Courts

    Mombasa

    Dating from 1902, the old law courts on Nkrumah Rd have been converted into an informal gallery, with regularly changing displays of local art, Kenyan…

  • Bamburi Beach

    South Coast

    Lined with a couple dozen hotels, Bamburi Beach is a 6km stretch of palm-shaded white sand. Outside low tide, the waters are good for swimming, and there…

  • Elephant Hill

    South Coast

    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…

  • Tusks

    Mombasa

    Giant replicas of elephant tusks form two arches above Moi Ave, welcoming visitors to the city. Next to them are Uhuru Gardens, a tranquil, green space of…

  • Holy Ghost Cathedral

    Mombasa

    The Christian Holy Ghost Cathedral is a very European hunk of neo-Gothic buttressed architecture, with massive fans in the walls to cool its former…

  • Jain Temple

    Mombasa

    This Jain temple caters to believers of Gujarati origin, and the ornamental interior, with niches filled with brightly painted figurines of deities, is…

  • Lord Shiva Temple

    Mombasa

    Mombasa’s large Hindu population doesn’t lack for places of worship. The enormous Lord Shiva Temple is airy, open and set off by an interesting sculpture…

  • Swaminarayan Temple

    Mombasa

    The Swaminarayan Temple is stuffed with highlighter-bright murals that’ll make you feel as if you’ve been transported to Mumbai.

  • Marere Dam

    South Coast

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

    • placement: fullWidth
    • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
    • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
    • targeting:
      {
        "position": "superzone"
      }