KENYA SOUTH-COAST

The Kenya south-coast beaches, with their combination of beautiful crescents of white sand, warm clear waters teeming with marine life and fascinating Swahili culture and history, pair wonderfully with Kenya’s best reserves for safari-and-beach holidays.

Luckily there’s an almost unbroken string of Kenya south-coast beaches begging to be explored. Starting just north of Tanzania you have Msambweni and the nearby time-warp Wasini Island.

Next comes Diani Beach, and then you have Watamu and Malindi. And dotted along the way are several marine reserves, which ensure this fascinating swathe of coastline is pristine.

Indeed, this much choice might seem overwhelming, but we’ll help you discover this part of Kenya with our carefully curated beach lodges.

And what to do? Whether you want to land a marlin or simply catch some rays, the Kenya south-coast beaches offer a vast array of activities to satisfy the indolent and the intrepid. Swim, snorkel or scuba – the Indian Ocean is your playground.

Or come ashore – just like the nesting turtles of Funzi Island – and be guided through the aromatic alleyways of Mombasa, an ancient port city which features the Renaissance Fort Jesus, a Unesco World Heritage Site. There’s plenty of local history to go around, including the more sombre insights to glean from the Shimoni Slave Caves, down south.

Alternatively, if you prefer your history to be of the natural variety, head inland on a game drive into the Shimba Hills National Reserve, which is noted for its elephant and sable antelope.