Best Places to Visit – South Coast
South Coast Kenya is known for its long attractive beaches, vibrant nightlife, marine national parks, estuaries and remote Islands . Unlike the North Coast, the South Coast has a certain rustic charm attributed to its relative seclusion from the city of Mombasa. While Diani is the undisputed winner when it comes to popularity, there are a number of additional beaches as well as islands and parks to explore. Consider these top attractions in the area:
Diani Beach
As the longest and most lively of the beaches on this stretch, the 10km long Diani Beach is a picturesque paradise in every sense of the word. Its fine, white sands sparkle in the sun creating a flawless ribbon of exquisite beauty that stretches right into the horizon like the edge of a gigantic, natural infinity pool. In terms of ocean scenery, this beach stands out with varied landscapes of sand and coral coming into view when the tide is out. Thanks to a massive fringing reef separating the sea from the inshore shallows at the beach, the turquoise water is safe from sharks and other large marine creatures. Drink in its glorious splendor sunbathing on the beach against the backdrop of gently swaying palm trees that form a delicate fringe and offer cool shade. There’s plenty more to do here including snorkeling in the brilliantly coloured coral reefs, scuba diving in the canyons of the deep sea, kitesurfing, jet skiing and plenty other water sports. Take a walk in the adjacent Diani Forest to enjoy the sights and sounds of butterflies and birds in addition to colobus and vervet monkeys. Here too, you will come across the forbidden kayas or sacred groves, only one of which is open to visitors (Kaya Kinondo).
Kongo River
One of the most fascinating sights you will ever behold at the South Coast is the exquisite Kongo River Estuary on Diani beach. No words can capture the breathtaking beauty of this gorgeous marvel of nature that keeps transforming as waves lap up against the sandy shores. Mangroves line the banks of the river, which at this point is wide and shallow, offering a tranquil setting for a great canoeing experience in the crystal-clear water. Huge baobab trees line the area around the beach further enhancing the visual feast. The area is renowned for some of the most spectacular sunsets thanks to the gorgeous backdrop of nature at its best. Rhythmic tides define the dynamic ecosystem where fresh water from the river meets saline sea waters and the two become one. A huge bonus from this blend of saline and fresh water is an interesting mix of diverse fish and wildlife species that you may not get to see anywhere else.
Robinson Island
Among the top highlights of your Diani beach tour is a trip to Robinson Island. The best way to get there is on a glass-bottomed boat that affords you a front-row seat to a most stunning view of the undersea world. If you fancy a more up-close experience, snorkeling would be your best bet. A rich biodiversity of flora and fauna define the entire trip and you will spot pods of dolphins, schools of colourful, exotic fish and gorgeous coral reefs. The warm, azure waters of the sea stand in striking contrast against the snow-white sandy beaches that define this island. This picturesque island only pops up during low tides, and remains fully submerged when the tide is high.
Wasini Island
Yet another rustic delight on your tour of the South Coast is Wasini Island, a paradisaic haven of tranquility. Set right at the edge of the southern coast, it is a tiny island, about 7km long and 3km wide, with no cars and few traces of city life if any. Ruins of an old settlement for a Swahili group known as Wavumba takes you back into time with fascinating historical artefacts. Take a boardwalk through an eerie patch of dead coral gardens and a mangrove forest to get an up-close peek into undersea marvels that you may never come across anywhere else.
Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve
Off the coast of Wasini Island is the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve, a sun-kissed establishment that focuses on protecting special habitats. The 40-sq km reserve covers the scenic islands of Kisite and Mpunguti and includes sections of open sea as well as three coral rag forest islands. Each of the three features vast fringing reefs, which together with patch reefs and seagrass meadows provide a vibrant ecosystem that supports countless life forms. The crystal-clear waters here provide an unrivalled view of a wide variety of marine life in the picturesque depths below. As the largest marine protected area in the country, the park and reserve boast about 250 recorded species of fish, 10 mangrove species and 56 genera of coral. There are about 70 dolphins, plenty of sea turtles and whales as well as various endemic crustaceans, gastropods and seabirds.
For the best view of these hidden treasures, consider snorkeling or scuba diving. Alternatively, you can immerse yourself in an exquisite view of the mysterious underwater landscape from the convenience of a glass-bottomed boat. Other top activities here include birding and watching the humpback whale migration in early June as these singers of the sea make their way from Antarctica – an incredibly fascinating sight.
Shimoni Caves
Wrap up your tour of Wasini Island with a peek into Shimoni Caves. Formed by years of erosion resulting from the rise and fall of tides, the rugged caves run up to 5km inland and consist of intricate tunnels. Huge stalactites and stalagmites line up the vast cavernous interior giving it an ominous feel. Bats line the cave ceiling further evoking a sense of eeriness. Here, you will learn firsthand about the painful historic role of the caves as holding cells for slaves waiting to traverse the vast Indian Ocean.
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Considered one of the biggest coastal forest areas in East Africa, Shimba Hills is second only to Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. The 320-sq km reserve is home to a rich biodiversity in both flora and fauna. Besides being renowned for the highest density of elephants in the country, it is an important bird area and home to countless mammals. These include the elephant shrew, bushy-tailed mongoose, civet cat, Sykes monkey, various duiker, the greater galago and Sable antelope. Forest birds and localized species alike abound here among the 111 recorded bird species. At least 22 of these are endemic, including the crowned hornbill, African hawk-eagle, the uluguru violet-backed sunbird and the greater honeyguide. You may also chance upon python and cobra slithering away into the depths of dense forest vegetation.
Sheldrick Falls
Right inside the reserve sits an exquisite feast for the eyes, the magnificent 21-meter high Sheldrick falls. Getting to the falls involves an adventurous 2.5km hike through a serene nature trail across steep rocky terrain that cuts through a riverine forest. You will need to cross a stream via a boardwalk to get to the falls, but the little adrenaline rush will be well worth your while. Sheldrick Falls is a precious gem in the heart of this jungle. Made up of fresh and pristine spring waters, the falls cascade into one of the most inviting natural plunge pools that simply begs for a swim. You can also enjoy a natural shower in the cool waters of the falls against a backdrop of beautiful liana vines. Plenty of stunning butterflies and birds frequent this scenic area, adding to the matchless beauty of the landscape.
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
The more than 500 elephants living in the Shimba Hills reserve often sparked bitter conflicts with the local community, and to help address this, the Mwaluganje Sanctuary was established. It straddles the area between the reserve and surrounding farmlands, offering a migration corridor for the elephants. The 243-sq km sanctuary consists of land leased from more than 200 local families to a community trust. In addition to the magnificent gigantic mammals strutting the land here, you will also enjoy stunning scenery consisting of upside-down baobab trees, palm-like trees and fan-like endemic cycads. These overlook a variety of landscapes and habitats ranging from riverine forests that sit alongside sparkling streams to dry plains. The varied landscape is also home to baboons, leopards, warthogs, waterbucks, mongooses, bush babies, porcupines as well as countless insects, reptiles and birds. It is one of only two destinations in Kenya where you might have the privilege of spotting the rare Sokoke scops owl, an indigenous bird.
