Mombasa And The Beaches of Kenya

Mombasa is Kenya’s largest coastal community situated to the south east of the country.  Although the city is only around the third of the size of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, it is a colourful and vibrant municipality with an incredible amount to see and to do.

Where Is Mombasa

Nestled between the rich Tsavo East National Park and the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Mombasa is itself actually an island, separated from the mainland by two creeks but long since reconnected by means of a bridge and causeway. In Swahili the city is known as Kisiwa Cha Mvita which translates to ‘Island of War’, a reference to the many changes in supremacy that the city has experienced over the years and highlighting its importance as a gateway into Africa. Today though Mombasa is certainly a lively but very peaceful place and thanks to its extensive and colourful past a host of fascinating historical sites today stand to mark its cultural evolution. One of the most popular attractions in the city is Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in the 16^th Century it stands on the edge of Mombasa old town as a monument of military architecture.

The narrow winding streets of the Arabic inspired old town are themselves certainly worth a visit, although a guide is often advised to help you navigate the labyrinth of intertwining avenues. This area of the city certainly retains a sense of its Arabic roots where tradesman from throughout the Middle East and North Africa settled and made their homes. Today travellers can observe the intricate Arabic architecture, sample an incredible range of cuisines and stop by at the numerous curio shops selling authentic crafts.

Juxtaposed against the Arab architecture and a testament to the cultural diversity of Mombasa another familiar sight in the city are the various elaborately adorned Hindu temples where one can observe beautiful carvings and energetic hues indicative of the faith.

Kenya Coastline

Of course there is much more to Kenya’s east coast than just Mombasa and a short exploration either north or south of the metropolis will soon attest to that. Kenya boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Africa and although it may remain more renowned for its safari experiences (of which it offers perhaps the best on the continent) for those looking for a more relaxed escape altogether Kenya’s coast could provide the perfect alternative.

Undoubtedly the most popular area for international tourists travelling to Kenya’s beaches is to the south of Mombasa stretching all the way down to the Tanzanian border. Particularly renowned are the townships of Malindi, Watamu and Diani. Malindi is known for its beautiful coral reefs that make snorkelling and diving such a pleasure; Diani is perhaps the favoured destination for British travellers who flock to the white sandy beaches and find accommodation in the range of luxury resorts that perforate the shoreline.

Just off the coast, Lamu Island is one of East Africa’s oldest continually inhabited communities. A slow paced and relaxed atmosphere a world away from Mombasa awaits you. This is an island where donkeys still prevail over cars and locals spend sleepy afternoons relaxing in the sunshine. As the ultimate escape Lamu Island especially appeals to couples and honeymooners looking for a quieter and more relaxing break.

Written by Mark who loves going on African safaris and Indian Ocean holidays.

Safari Wonderland for Adventure Seekers

Most people planning a Kenyan safari have no idea how many different kinds of activity you can experience along the holiday route.  An African safari has so much more to offer than few days in travelling around Tsavo in a minibus followed by a week on the beach in Mombasa! Do that, and you miss out on a whole range of exciting adventures that enable you to get the most out of magnificent Kenya.

One of the most amazing experiences on safari is to spend a night sleeping under the stars, right out in the bush among the wildlife.   This may sound like a crazy thing to do. Don’t fancy being trampled on by an elephant or dragged off into the bush as a late night snack for a lion? You don’t have to worry – like many of life’s real adventures, providing that it’s well organized by professional people, it’s perfectly safe.

Sleeping under the stars is possible if you’re staying at a safari lodge that is on private land outside the main National Parks.   It’s something offered by a few top quality private lodges like Sabuk or Saruni Samburu in Northern Kenya.    After you’ve settled into the main lodge for a couple of nights enjoying the elephants, antelope, zebra and cheetah on open vehicle safaris you will be prepared for something a little more adventurous.    Your guide will introduce you to a team of local Masai warriors and you’ll set off together on foot wandering across the spectacular landscape.

You quickly get used to the sense of the big open spaces and as you chat and joke with your Masai companions.    While you’re very aware that you are in big game country on level terms with a leopard, you’re also confident that this is also home to the Masai who have lived with the wildlife for generations.   So you spend the day strolling beside rivers, along timeless elephant tracks that criss cross the savannah.  You’ll stop for a tea break or to admire a family of elephants, see a bateleur eagle or a curious giraffe; you’re in the heart of real Africa, miles from the noise and distractions of civilization.

All this time your luggage, food, camping equipment, bush showers, other essentials have been following aboard the Masai’s camels, and eventually you come to some delightful spot with views all around -  a good place to spend the night. A simple camp will spring up around you, someone rigs a shower from a tree with an upended canvas bucket and as the big, red sun sinks towards the distant horizon, you sit around the crackling fire, sharing stories.  African melodies drift over from where the food’s being prepared. There is a magnificent starry sky and as eat your dinner by starlight, you’re out in the real Africa.

Later in your tent ,you’re aware that only a skin of canvas separates you from what’s outside, and you listen to the sounds of crickets, distant animal calls and later,  the deep silence of nature.   You might wake in the middle of the night to hear footfalls of some animal, or a rending crack as an elephant tears a branch from a tree a few hundred yards away.    Then, with the rising chorus of birdsong and the glimmering of a new day, you step out into a new day in Africa.  A sizzling breakfast, hot coffee and views across a thousand square miles of timeless African safari plains.  It’s a real family adventure!

Kenya is an east African country that relies heavily on tourism to boost its economy.  Currently suffering a severe drought, Kenya has to reconsider its tourism offering. We take a look at the wildlife, question the food production for export and peer into a murky world on the street

Kenya Drought

As the lack of rain crisis continues, Kenya becomes less appealing to travellers who quite rightly feel guilty that their fun is in no way helping the millions of people who are suffering the devastating effects of drought. By its very nature a drought means vast areas without water and an immediate effect of this is the loss of cattle and crops leading to desperate food shortages – reports of the plight of Elephants and other wildlife are the tip of the iceberg.

The quest for real experience draws curious travellers to see areas of severe drought. Some see the Kenya drought as an opportunity to see first hand what a rain free land means to the people and wildlife.

Support Charity and Aid Organisation

If you want to help fund the relief for those affected by Kenya drought you can make a charity donation to one of the many aid agencies or take a look at this page that offers a range of charity gifts from Oxfam. You can ask that the money you give should be used however the charity think best or specify that your gift is specific – for example giving a goat is very poplular however if the gift is intended to help thos at the mercy of drought in Kenya a goat is not appropriate at this time.

Trouble in paradise

Wildlife tourism – another pillar of Kenya’s economy – is wilting in the heat.

Lake Nakuru, the birdwatcher’s paradise, is disappearing. The rivers that feed it have run dry. They come from Mau.

And in the Masai Mara, the river which hosts the world famous “crossing of the wildebeest” has fallen to its lowest ever level.

Water scarcity has brought wild animals and farmers into conflict. Deaths, injuries and compensation claims are at record highs in Narok, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

Poverty Tourism

However we have heard disturbing reports of poverty tourism – in some cities it is now possible to take a guided tour through the slum areas whose main attraction is its open-sewer poverty – with residents on parade like animals in a zoo.

These tours are increasing in popularity – more operators offering a wider range of tours – many claiming that they are trying to humanise the situation and insist that they will plough profits back in to schemes that will help the communities that the tours visit.