Ideas & inspiration for beach holidays in Kenya
There are plenty of possibilities for water-based activities like diving, snorkelling and kitesurfing. The coast is an excellent area both for experienced water sports enthusiasts and beginners. You can make use of a variety of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) diving schools and other facilities that rent out equipment.
Call Expert Africa for further information about the best beach holidays in Kenya.
Best camps & lodges for Beach holidays in Kenya
Driftwood Beach Club
Driftwood Beach club is a great place for family beach holidays. Plan your stay around the tides: experience the sea on a snorkelling trip at high tide, then when swimming is difficult, at low tide, visit the town of Malindi. Diving and deep-sea fishing can also be organised.
Che Shale
Che Shale is located right on the beach where the steady onshore breeze offers perfect conditions for kite- and windsurfing. As well as these sports, you can go deep sea fishing or hang out on the swing seat on the beach and watch the black night sky bursting with stars.
Asha Boutique Hotel
One of Asha's main natural attractions is its broad white beach frontage and often crystal-clear sea – great for beach holidays. You can relax on the beachfront terrace, have a drink or a meal, lie in the sun or take a snorkelling trip in the hotel’s boat.
Hemingways Watamu
Hemingways is an internationally recognised game-fishing centre where you can try your luck hooking swordfish, marlin, sailfish and sharks. You can also go dolphin-watching, snorkel straight off the beach and go on BBQ and dhow trip to Sudi Island.
Kinondo Kwetu
Having stayed here a couple of times we think this is one of the very best small hotels on Kenya’s coast. Away from any beach boys it’s ideal for a quiet yet luxurious beach holiday. You can make use of the facilities at the PADI diving school.
House on the Beach
House on the Beach is the perfect family or group beach house, in a location that's ideal for completely undwinding. And Tiwi Beach, one of the more accessible beaches that is virtually free of beach boys, has a lot to recommend it.
AfroChic
Afro Chic is situated at the northern end of Diani Beach, not far from several shopping areas. Staying here means you can choose to visit the nearby restaurants and bars or enjoy the privacy of Afro Chic’s pool terrace and gardens.
Pinewood Beach Resort
Pinewood Beach Resort is located at the quiet, southern end of Diani Beach, known as Galu Beach. Enjoy your beach holiday in peace and maybe take the opportunity learn to dive at the neighbouring Aqualand water sports centre.
Water Lovers
The extensive white sands of Diani Beach are the perfect lure for a beach break in Kenya, where WaterLovers has plenty of personal spaces to relax in the shade, along with a freshwater pool and kayaks for the more active.
Funzi Keys
Funzi Keys is about as remote as beach properties get in Kenya, so come here for an exclusive experience away from other tourists and in a pristine environment.
Beach holidays elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for beach holidays in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,130 sightings from 3,868 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,008 sightings from 4,295 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,075 sightings from 3,287 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,649 sightings from 3,200 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
908 sightings from 2,868 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,236 sightings from 4,089 observations
Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.
14% SUCCESS
126 sightings from 916 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
3,760 sightings from 4,141 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
637 sightings from 2,110 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
511 sightings from 1,178 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,496 sightings from 3,071 observations
Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.
75% SUCCESS
89 sightings from 118 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
3,622 sightings from 4,218 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,374 sightings from 1,976 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,749 sightings from 3,077 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
23% SUCCESS
479 sightings from 2,115 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
68% SUCCESS
2,566 sightings from 3,801 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,960 sightings from 4,713 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
73 sightings from 3,435 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
57 sightings from 3,448 observations
Other styles of holiday in Kenya
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