AFRICA BEACH HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES
Mombasa, Diani, Malindi, Watamu, Lamu & Zanzibar
Kick Back At Our World-Class Beaches Before or After Your Safari

As if our incredible collection of premier wildlife parks wasn’t enough, Kenya presents you with 563 km (333 mi) of fabulous coastline to complete your safari holiday.
Crystalline sand beaches like Mombasa, Diani, Malindi, Watamu, and Lamu aren’t just exotic names – they’re your invitation to relax on uncrowded shorelines, hugging the blue/green tides of the balmy Indian Ocean.
What a perfect way to begin your East Africa holiday as you anticipate your safari adventure. Or, relax at our beaches after your African safari at our parks, with tales of lions, leopards, and elephants… as you sip your cocktail on the warmth of our diamond sands.
Plus, we can take you island hopping to nearby Zanzibar and its beautiful south coast beaches and a visit to the historic old-world quarters of Stone Town.
Swim, snorkel, dive, windsurf or just meditate on the serene beauty gifted to us by nature at these golden seaside wonderlands.
BEST BEACH DESTINATIONS IN EAST AFRICA
Diani Beach – Voted Best Beach
Not once, but three times Diani was voted Africa’s finest beach destination. Immaculate and uncrowded, Diani’s waters are crystalline and shallow, perfect for wading and snorkeling. Head out to its two coral reefs to find treasures like starfish, crabs, sea cucumber, and a kaleidoscope of bright tropical fish. The nightlife here is colorful as well – an international scene of pulsing clubs and restaurants.
The elephants of Shimba Hills National Reserve are just minutes away and Diani is a great jumping-off point for tours to parks like Amboseli and the Masai Mara.
Colobus Conservation Centre – this sanctuary for the black-and-white colobus monkey nourishes orphaned creatures going through the rehabilitation process. You can visit and also go for forest walks organized by the Centre.
Kaya Kinondo – Considered a sacred forest, you must respect its traditions before entering: no headgear, no kissing, and you must wrap a black sarong around your waist. Your guide will explain all, along with the many plant species found inside this grove.
Water Fun – Besides swimming, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving, Diani offers several more robust adventure activities. Ever go kite surfing or jet skiing? How about sky-diving? You can tap into your inner daredevil here.
Visit our Diani Beach Office
- Location (click for map & driving directions): Galaxy Building, Next to Chinese Restaurant, Diani Beach Road
- Tel: +254 748 380 729
- WhatsApp: +254 748 380 729
- Email: diani@africakenyasafaris.com
HOTEL | COMFORT LEVEL | MEAL PLAN |
Papillon Lagoon Reef Hotel | Economy | All Inclusive |
Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa | Economy | Half Board (With options of full board) |
Neptune Paradise Beach Resort | Economy | All Inclusive |
Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort | Economy | Half Board |
Neptune Village Beach Resort | Comfort | All Inclusive |
Diani Sea Resort | Comfort | All Inclusive |
Baobab Beach Resort | Comfort | All Inclusive |
Eleven Pearl Boutique Hotel & Spa | Comfort | All Inclusive |
Swahili Beach Resort | Comfort | Half Board (with options of Full board |
Leopard Beach Resort | Luxury | Half Board -With Options of Full board |
Neptune Palm Beach Resort | Luxury | All Inclusive |
The Sands at Nomad Hotel | Luxury | Half Board (With Options of Full board) |
Waterlovers Beach Resort & Spa | Luxury | Half Board with options for Full board/ All inclusive |
Explore our 2–7 Day Road & Air safaris from Diani Beach
If you’re at Diani Beach you already know the best of the Kenya Coast – a warm, uncrowded shoreline, hugging the clear, gentle waters of the Indian Ocean. It’s the perfect vacation spot for relaxing or water sports.
Days Excursions & Full Day Trips from Diani beach:
- Explore Exotic Mombasa – History, Culture & Shopping! (Discover Mombasa)
- Snorkeling & Swim Excursion With Dolphins (Authentic Dhow)
- Explore Tsavo East National Park (From Surf to Safari)
- Shimba Hills National Reserve (Elephants, Giraffes, Antelope & Monkeys)
2 & 3 days Safaris from Diani beach
- 2 Days Diani Beach to Tsavo East (Fast Break Safari)
- 2 Days Diani Beach to Tsavo East & West (Sun to Savannah Safari)2 Days Diani Beach to Tsavo East & Taita Hills (Red & Green Safari)3 Days Diani Beach to Tsavo East & West (Beach to Big Game Safari)3 Days Diani Beach to Amboseli/Tsavo (Your Choice Safari)
4 & 5 Days Days Kenya safaris from Diani beach
- 4 Days Diani Beach to Tsavo West/Amboseli/Tsavo East (Triple Park Safari)
- 5 Days Diani Beach to Tsavo West/Amboseli/Tsavo East (A Complete Safari)
Fly & Drive safaris from Diani beach:
- 2 Days Masai Mara Fly-In safari (Fast Air Safari)
3 Days Masai Mara Fly-In safari (All Flight Safari)
3 Days Masai Mara Fly & Drive safari (Soaring Safari)
6 Days Tsavo East/Amboseli/Lake Nakuru/Masai Mara (Coast Four Park Safari)
7 Days, 6 Parks from Diani Beach (Six Pack Safari)
3-9 Days safaris From Savannah to Surf (Nairobi to Diani Beach)
Here’s the perfect combo: stir up the dust with a big game adventure to Kenya’s wildlife parks. Then, finish up your holiday on the diamond sands and emerald waters of Kenya’s Diani Beach. We like to call it, “Turf and Surf”.
You’ll call it a little bit of heaven.
3-Day Safaris
- 3 Days Amboseli Park safari (‘Giants’ safari)
- 3 Days Amboseli & Tsavo safari (Customized safari)
- 3 Days Tsavo East & West safari (Turf to Surf safari)
4 & 5 Days Safaris
- 4 Days Amboseli, Tsavo West & Tsavo East safari (Beast to beach safari)
- 5 Days Masai Mara & Amboseli safari (Popular safari)
- 5 Days Amboseli & 2 Tsavo parks (The Kenya classic)
6-9 Days Safaris
- 6 Days Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, & Tsavo West (Roadmap to Adventure).
- Masai Mara, 6 Days Lake Nakuru & Amboseli National Parks (Best Of Kenya Safari).
- 6 Days Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, & Tsavo West (Big 4 Safari).
- 7 Days Masai Mara, Lakes Nakuru & Naivasha, Hell’s Gate, And Amboseli Parks (Full Week Safari).
- 9 Days Masai Mara, Lakes Nakuru & Naivasha, Hell’s Gate, Amboseli, Tsavo West & Tsavo East National Parks (Total Expedition).
Malindi/Watamu – Twin Resorts
These neighboring coastal resort towns both offer beautiful stretches of beach set upon the placid Indian Ocean. Watamu is a bit more laid back of the two but you’ll want to check out Malindi’s marine national park and its historic old town.
Both have excellent restaurants, with an emphasis on Italian cuisine at Malindi.
Watamu is a jumping-off point for nearby Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, a dense, green paradise of jungle-like park where you’ll find a world of butterflies and the last stomping ground for the tiny golden-rumped elephant shrew.
Malindi Marine National Park – Explore this undersea world of green sea turtles, colorful fish, and organ-pipe coral. You may even spot mako and whale sharks.
Bio-Ken Snake Farm – It may not look like it but Bio-Ken is a world-class facility specializing in snakes and anti-venom research. The excellent tour here will take you up close to the black mamba, horned viper, puff adder, and the black spitting cobra.
Watamu Turtle Watch – True to its name, this center protects the hawksbill and green turtles that lay their eggs on Watamu Beach. Visit the rehabilitation center to see turtles taken in for injury or illness and learn about these special reptiles.
HOTEL | COMFORT LEVEL | MEAL PLAN |
Sandies Malindi Dream Garden | Comfort |
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White Elephant Sea Lodge | Comfort |
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Sandies tropical village Malindi | Comfort |
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Ocean beach resort & spa | Comfort |
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Kilili baharini | Comfort |
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Leopard Point Luxury Beach Resort & Spa – Malindi | Luxury |
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Billionaire resort Malindi | Luxury |
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Diamonds dream of Africa Malindi | Luxury |
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Lion in the sun – Malindi | Luxury |
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Medina Palms – Watamu | Luxury |
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Mombasa – Kenya’s Coastal City
Immerse yourself in Mombasa’s variety of cultures – Indian, Swahili, Muslim, Portugues – reflected in the city’s architecture, cuisine, and customs. Explore the back alleyways and bazaars of Old Town, enjoy an evening sail on an authentic Arab dhow, or just relax on the welcoming sands of its signature coast. Where else can you go for a camel ride on the beach, as traders have done for centuries?
From Nairobi, you can get to Mombasa by road, rail, or plane. And we offer both road and air safaris to all the parks starting here at Kenya’s second-largest city.
Fort Jesus – This commanding 16th Century fort has been controlled by various Europeans, Muslims, and African victors. Explore its massive ramparts and cultural relics.
Spice Market – This loud and busy bazaar is a throwback to another century with its hawking and dealing. You’ll be draped in the scents of cardamon, turmeric, and curry, along with lots of tempting street food.
The Tusks – Giant replicas of elephant tusks will greet you on Moi Avenue as your welcome to the city.
Top Hotels in Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu, Kikambala & Kilifi Beach
- Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa
- Voyager Beach Resort
- PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort & Spa
- Severin Sea Lodge
- Serena Beach Resort
- EnglishPoint Marina
- The Shaza
- Neptune Beach Resort
- Travellers Beach Hotel & Club
- PrideInn Flamingo Beach Resort
- Nyali Sun Africa Beach Hotel & Spa
- Silver Palm Spa and Resort
- Kilifi Bay Beach Resort
- Sun N Sand Beach Resort & Residences
Lamu Island – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Of course, the beaches are lovely, but folks also come here to discover the tiny back streets of Lamu Town as donkeys squeeze by in this ancient Swahili settlement.
And you may get swept up in the polyglot of cultures on display in Lamus’s architecture and lifestyle – for 700 years traders from the Arab world, India, China, and Southeast Asia have been drawn to this island. The old world feel is enhancred by a ban on automobiles… hence the use of donkeys to transport persons and material.
Nearby Shela Beach is home to an array of distinctive mosques and attracts visitors for new-age cuisine, yoga, and occasional celebrity sightings.
Lamu Museum – One of the best in Kenya, it is on the waterfront and is a deep introduction to Swahili culture. Learn about local boat building, and the work of Lamu artisans as seen on many elaborately carved local doorways.
Lamu Market – Alive with local atmosphere, you’ll find the daily catch of seafood such as tuna but also fruits and vegetables.
Shela Beach – Long and pristine, the sands here are an uncrowded respite from the activity of Lamu.
HOTEL | COMFORT LEVEL | MEAL PLAN |
Bahari Guest House – Shela Village | Comfort |
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Banana House and Wellness Centre – Shella Village | Comfort |
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Kijani House Hotel -Shela Village | Comfort |
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Kizingo, Kizingo Point, Lamu Island | Comfort |
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Stopover Guest House – Shela village | Comfort |
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La Joya House – Shela Village | Comfort |
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Baytil Amman – Shela Village | Comfort |
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Jannataan House – Shela Village | Comfort |
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Fatuma’s Tower & Yoga House – Shela Village | Comfort |
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The Maljis – Manda Island | Luxury |
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Kipungani Explorer, Kipungani Bay – Lamu | Luxury |
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Peponi Hotel on Shela Beach | Luxury |
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Diamond Beach Village – Manda Island | Luxury |
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Zanzibar Island – A Palm-Fringed Adventure
The beaches here are spectacular, set on turquoise waters and miles of pure, white sand. And there are so many to choose from! You’ll find some of the finest in the world on this unique island where you’ll swim, snorkel, and discover an undersea landscape of brilliant marine life at the nearby coral gardens.
Look for dolphins swimming in their active and colorful pods near the shore. Zanzibar (its official name is Unguja) is an accessible paradise we can bring you to before or after your African safari.
Stone Town – In Zanzibar City, you’ll discover the ancient quarter of Stone Town, one of the oldest Swahili towns in East Africa. Enjoy its winding streets and beautiful architecture. Plus you’ll find a vibrant and delicious street food scene.
House of Wonders – Built by a sultan in the 19th century, this impressive structure of balconies rises above the town near the waterfront. The first building here to offer electricity and running water – the wonders of its day – the old façade still impresses.
Forodhani Gardens – A quaintly designed public space, the gardens are a central meeting spot with a restaurant, cafes, and food stalls. A visit here is a genteel way to integrate into the local scene.
Dongwe Beach
- Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar
- Dongwe Ocean View
- Sands Baobab Beach Zanzibar
- Sultan Palace Hotel Zanzibar
- Baraza Resort & Spa Zanzibar
- The Palms, Zanzibar
- Breezes Beach Club & Spa
Nungwi Beach
- Bluebay Beach Resort
- Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort
- Double Tree Resort By Hilton Zanzibar-Nungwi
- Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
- Amaan Nungwi Beach Resort
- Essque Zalu Zanzibar
- Nungwi Dreams by Mantis
- The Zanzibari
Stone Town
- Jafferji House & Spa
- Park Hyatt Zanzibar
- Tembo House
- Mzingani Seafront
- Double Tree By Hilton Hotel Zanzibar-Stone Town