The Coastal Kenya offers travellers an unparalleled range of options. The incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, wildlife and activities mean endless opportunities.

With so many choices at hand, some people find the prospect of planning a trip quite daunting. It doesn't have to be that way. In Coastal Kenya it is very easy to plan and prepare for a safari that is as individual as you are, and that satisfies your own personal needs and interests.

If you are planning a trip, use this website to explore the Kenyan Coast in advance, and decide where you would like to go, what you would like to see and what you would like to do.

USE THIS TRAVELLERS GUIDE TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP

The Coastline of Kenya offers a diverse range of environments all within relatively close proximity to one another, and has an excellent domestic travel infrastructure. This means that you can choose to either stay based in a single location or to move around the coastline and see a range of different places.

Your first decision should be how long you want to stay and how much you want to see.

Staying in a single place lets you explore that area in great detail. In wilderness areas, this is the best way to really get to experience many facets of an ecosystem. Coastal Kenya & Kenya's rich diversity of wildlife means that no two experiences in the wild are ever the same. Each day you'll experience and see completely different things. Spending time in a single location also allows you to really get to know and learn from the local cultures, and to get to know locals on an individual level.

Alternatively, it is possible in to take a safari to a completely different destination every single day. This is a good option for travellers who like variety of experience and environment. In a single trip to the Kenyan Coast, you can visit wildlife reserves, tropical forests, beautiful beaches, & historical monuments.

Another choice is to decide on 2 or 3 destinations and spend a few days exploring each one. The choice is yours.

When you are planning your trip, think about how many destinations you'd like to visit and how long you'll spend in each one.

WHO ARE YOU COMING WITH

Whether you are travelling solo or looking for a family trip, Mombasa & its environs has plenty of options to suit.

Think in advance about whether or not you'd like to join an organized safari group, or have your own private transport and guides.

There is plenty to keep the single traveller busy. Organized safaris and camping trips are often great social experiences and a good way to meet other travellers. Kenyan coast is popular with independent travellers, and is quite easy to meet up with travelling companions on the road.

For couples, it is a perfect destination for a relaxing break. We have many secluded, private guesthouses, camps and hotels ideal for romantic stays or honeymoons.

The Coast is also a great family destination. Kids love Kenyan coastline, and the sights and experiences of a safari can outdo any theme park. There are hotels that cater especially for families and have special facilities, programs and safari guides for children.

YOUR OWN STYLE

Look at as many options as you can before you come. Try and plan for the perfect holiday for yourself. If you want five star Luxury accommodation you'll be spoilt for choice. But if you want to really rough it and experience life away from the trappings of civilization it can be equally easily arranged.

Think about how you are going to get around and how long it will take. Do you want to use light aircraft to avoid long road trips, or do you enjoy the experience of driving? It is possible to plan a safari that blends adventure and relaxation, luxury and natural simplicity, social experiences and solitude.

PLANNING & PACKING

It is often said that Kenya is a cold country with a hot sun, as the blend of high altitudes and tropical sun make for a unique and variable climate. This should be kept in mind when packing for a visit to its coastline. Basically the traveller should come prepared for hot and humid conditions.

Packing for the trip requires some careful thought and consideration. Ultimately your packing should be dictated by the activities you are planning to undertake.

If you are travelling extensively throughout the coastline or country at large make sure that you bring suitable luggage. Suitcases and bags should be able to withstand plenty of handling and dusty conditions. Hard suitcases are ideal, but can take up a lot of space.

If you are travelling by domestic/chartered flights, remember that there are luggage restrictions, particularly on smaller aircraft. Check in advance with your Charter airline or Safari/Tour operator.

For those planning a lot of travel by public transport or trekkers, a backpack is advisable. Bring a sturdy, well constructed pack with orthopaedic support and lockable zips and catches.

A small daypack is ideal for carrying cameras, travel documents and basic everyday items.

Equal consideration should be paid to what you bring with you.

Casual, lightweight, and comfortable clothing is usually the best. For walking safaris or game viewing on foot clothing should be of neutral colour, and white, bright or vividly patterned clothing avoided. Studies have proven that most African game animals are able to see bright blue over any other colour.

Strong footwear is advisable if you are planning to do any walking. For serious climbers and trekkers a good pair of hiking boots should be brought with you.

Remember that the tropical/Equatorial sun is strong and burns quickly. Wide brimmed hats are preferable to baseball caps for sun protection. Both sunglasses and a good quality sunscreen (rated SPF15 or higher) should be used.

A good quality insect repellent is worth bringing. You should bring your own Toiletries with you. Basic toiletry items are widely available.

Any personal Prescription drugs should be brought if necessary. Also bring the generic names for these drugs in case they need to be replaced locally. If you have prescription glasses it is wise to bring a spare pair.

For those planning lengthy treks or camping expeditions, a basic medical kit is also a good idea. A small Flashlight/Torch and a Swiss Army knife are good accessories to carry. If you have a video camera battery charger or other electrical items, bring your own converter plug set if needed (the electricity supply is 220 Volt, 50 Hz with a square pin 13 amp plug).

A good quality pair of Binoculars is essential for effective game viewing..

Divers will find excellent dive gear for hire in Kenya, but may also wish to bring their own regulators or dive computers. Those with prescription masks should definitely bring them along. Dive Certification Cards and log documents should be brought along.

All travel documentation should be kept together securely. This should include tickets, Passports (with appropriate visa entries), Vaccination Certificates, and Travel Insurance documents.

Additional photocopies of Passport, Air ticket and Traveller's Cheque numbers should be brought and packed separately. Use our personalized Kenya Travel kit to print records of all this information. Take several copies with you and leave some at home.

Take your credit cards together Traveller's Cheques and some U.S. Dollars cash.

GETTING THERE

You can get to Coastal Kenya by traveling via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi or Moi International Airport in Mombasa.

Visas are required for entry. Visitors can also enter by road from Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia. Immigration should be processed at land border stations.

Entry by sea is possible, and immigration should be processed at a port facility.

PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE

Kenyan coastline is one of the great photographer's destinations. The great diversity of landscapes, people, wildlife and history make for unparalleled photo opportunities.

For the dedicated photographer, a trip here is the chance of a lifetime. Come fully prepared and equipped to take full advantage of the ideal photographic environment. Bring along even more film than you may think you need.

Good quality film is available, though you may not be able to purchase film while on safari or visiting remote areas.

For early mornings and late afternoons and in other low light conditions, it is best to have some ASA/ISO 200, 400, or even faster film, but for good daylight conditions ASA/ISO 50 and 100 speed film will suffice.

A good 35mm SLR Camera with interchangeable lenses is highly recommended. Bring a long lens (an 80mm-200mm zoom lens is best) for wildlife photography, while a 35mm-70mmlens is a good general lens for landscapes. For bright conditions a UV filter may be helpful. Those with an interest in flowers or insect life may wish to pack a macro.

Some safari companies provide rooftop camera mounts or bean bag camera rests .

Bring a good solid camera and kit bag to cope with travel and handling. A lens cleaning cloth and a blower brush will be necessary to cope with dust. If you have a Digital or Hi8 Video camera bring plenty of tape and long life batteries and adaptors for their rechargers (the electricity supply is 220 Volt, 50 Hz with a square pin 13 amp plug). Most hotels have charging facilities.

A good pair of binoculars is very important both for everyday game viewing and for scoping good photo opportunities. Birders may wish to bring a spotter scope and tripod

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GETTING AROUND

Whether you're looking for speed, comfort, sightseeing or service you'll find something to suit as you travel around Coastal Kenya.

AIR

Domestic

There is a good network of domestic flights, with carriers including Kenya Airways, Air Kenya, Mombasa Air Safari and Regional Air. Domestic air taxes are included in ticket or charter costs.

Charter
There are many domestic air charter operations. These companies offer individual or group charter in a range of aircraft. Air charter is an ideal way of visiting remote areas, or avoiding long drives.

Most charter companies will charge a set rate for a journey, regardless of the number of passengers.

There are many private and public airstrips throughout which are accessible to charter companies.

ROAD

DrivingVisitors can drive using an international drivers license. Driving is on the left hand side and drivers should give way to traffic on their right. Distances are measured and signposted in kilometres and petrol / diesel sold by the litre.

Road conditions are variable and can be very poor in remote areas. Ensure that your vehicle is suitable for handling rough roads before embarking on a journey.

Driving at night in most areas is not advisable.

Hire Cars are widely available in Mombasa. Before hiring a car, all legalities should be thoroughly checked and appropriate contracts and waivers signed.

Most car hire companies charge a set per kilometre or unlimited rate.

Cycling

Long distance cycling is possible, but cyclists should be prepared to be very alert and wary of traffic on the major roads. Anyone seriously considering cycle travel should come fully prepared and equipped with a repair kit and some spare parts. This will make repairs on the road much easier.

Competent bicycle "fundis" (mechanics) are usually found in most towns.

In many tourist areas, bicycles are available for hire for a day or half day. This is a good way to explore some areas.

Taxi

In Mombasa, taxis are widely available, and convenient.

Taxis are often parked in the street around hotels and tourist areas. Hotels and restaurants can order taxis if necessary.

Taxis are not metered, and a price should be agreed with the driver before departure. Ask for local advice or at your hotel for correct rates. In Mombasa there are several companies operating Dial Taxi services with phone bookings, modern vehicles, competent drivers and reasonable rates. Several Taxi companies have airport booking offices.

The 3 wheel Bajaj Auto-Rickshaw or Tuk Tuk of South East Asia are becoming increasingly popular as taxis at the Coast. Once again, fares need to be negotiated in advance.

Bus

Buses can be boarded at any stop and tickets purchased on board.

Buses also regularly run between most cities and towns. There are several bus companies with extensive inter-country networks. Buses also run across borders into Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

Buses are an inexpensive way to travel the country, although there are safety considerations to be kept in mind. Ask local advice for bus companies with better safety records or reputations.

Some private bus companies now offer private bus shuttle services between Nairobi and Mombasa and Nairobi and Arusha (Tanzania) as well as city airports.

Matatu

The most popular form of public transport is the Matatu, which has become a national icon and a large part of Kenyan modern culture.

A matatu is a minibus, usually a Nissan (with a three tonne capacity- hence the name Matatu).
Matatus operate on set routes, and collect as many passengers as possible both from the outset and along the way. Passengers board and alight whenever and wherever they choose.

Matatus normally have a crew of two, a driver and a 'tout' who tries to encourage as many passengers as possible to board, and collects their fares, using an impressive cash handling and management system in which notes of different denominations are wedged between seperate fingers. Matatus use music to attract clientele, and large speakers booming at maximum volume are considered an essential feature, especially in Mombasa downtown.

The vehicles are also often spectacularly painted with different designs based on music album covers and Sports logos.

Matatus are undoubtedly cheap, and widely available on almost any route. But the popularity and low pricing leads to chronic and unregulated overcrowding that easily shocks many visitors. There is also profit in speed for Matatu drivers, who endeavor to cover as much ground, and find as many passengers as possible. This means driving at high speeds on not so good roads.

While Matatus may be ideal for travellers on a low budget and those trying to reach more inaccessible regions, be warned that using them is a risk.

Rail

There is a railway connection between Mombasa-Nairobi and Nairobi-Kisumu. It is also possible to take the train through to Kampala.

The overnight Mombasa-Nairobi rail trip is the most popular rail route for visitors. Tickets can be bought from Mombasa's Railway station, or in advance through local travel agencies. Kenya's railways are currently awaiting a planned upgrade of facilities and rolling stock.

The railway line between the coast and Nairobi has a long and colourful history.

Sea

The Kenyan coast is open to both commercial and private shipping. There are several popular anchorage points for Yachts including, Mtwapa, Kilifi, Mnarani, and Lamu.

Those landing should process immigration locally. It is possible to join dhows for short cruises or longer trips along the coast. Some tour companies or hotels can arrange this, or you can make private arrangements with a dhow captain.

General Safety Tips
• If you're on a guided tour, your chances of encountering problems are minimal - tour operators make it their business to know the areas they travel to so you are never at any undue risk.

• If you're travelling alone, keep up-to-date with local news so you know about potential "hot spots".

• Get a local perspective - ask someone where you're staying to give you a run-down on any unsafe areas, and codes of dress and behaviour.

• As with anywhere in the world, when you're in a city err on the side of caution. Don't openly carry valuables. If you must carry your passport and money, keep them in a buttoned-down pocket or well-concealed on your person.

• Driving can often be a pretty adventurous undertaking. In some areas, roads are often poorly maintained and it's not unusual to come across large domestic animals such as sheep and cattle. The best advice: stay alert, use your seatbelts and avoid travelling at night.

• Avoid deserted areas, particularly at night. If you're in a car, try and park in well-lit populated areas; always keep it locked - even when you're in it; and don't leave valuables where they can be seen.

• If you're thinking of hitchhiking, you'll need to understand the high risks involved. It is often exciting, always potentially dangerous - particularly in around urban centres or after dark - and isn't advised if safety is a priority.

• The best advice for security when you travel: simply stay aware of what's going on around you. If you do this, you have a good chance of enjoying a problem-free holiday.

Safety on Safari
• All reserves have a set of rules that you need to follow to ensure your safety. Many of the animals you'll come across, particularly lion, hippo, elephant and buffalo, are dangerous. Stay in your car and keep a reasonable distance - especially with elephant - in case you need to beat a hasty retreat!

• A fair share of poisonous snakes can be seen- though they are rarely encountered and, when they are, will more often than not try to get away as quickly as possible. However, if you plan on doing any walking, take along boots, socks and long trousers as a precautionary measure (which also helps with ticks) - and always look where you're going.

• Avoid swimming in rivers that have hippos and crocodiles.