Kenya Beach holidays

GMT +3 hours

• English is understood by many people all over Kenya.
• On the predominantly Muslim coast, people speak Swahili, although some locals speak German, French and Italian.
• English is taught in schools all over the country, so there’s always someone who’ll understand, even in the remote bush.

• Shilling. • Major credit cards are widely accepted and traveller’s cheques can be changed at banks and hotels. • Make sure you carry change on safari.

• Kenya is usually considered among the safest countries in Africa, however tourists should take care, especially Nairobi and when arriving in the country.
• Common-sense rules apply - avoid dark backstreets at night and Nairobi’s sleazier bars and dance dives.
• Don’t flaunt jewellery or valuables or walk around with large sums of money.

Fort Jesus
This 16th-century fort in the Old Town is the oldest fort in Africa. Built by the Portuguese, it’s now a national museum.

Diani Beach
Just south of Mombasa, this is a tropical paradise where palm-fringed, white-sand beaches stretch out into the blue sea. Coral reefs and tropical fish make it great for snorkelling.

Shimoni
This popular fishing village boasts relics of the slave trade and unspoilt coral gardens.

Funzi Island
This island is great for fishing and there’s a Marine National Park just off the coastline.

Marine National Park
Barter with the boat-boys and go snorkelling from a trip on the glass-bottom boat. There’s also a crocodile farm and snake park nearby.

Lamu Island
The Lamu archipelago is world-famous for its old houses, narrow streets, mosques and Swahili culture.

• You must have a full and valid 10-year passport with an expiry date at least 6 months after your arrival back in the UK.
• Brits need a visa, which you can get on arrival in Kenya or from the Kenyan Embassy before you travel (recommended).
• For more information, contact the Kenyan High Commission on 020 7636 2371.

Browse Malindi’s four shopping plazas, each with its own open-air bar and restaurants; and haggle for bargains at the Swahili quarter’s market in the Old Town.

8½ hours to Nairobi; 10 hours to Mombasa via Nairobi

Food
• Feast on cheap spiny lobster, shrimps and prawns from the Indian Ocean, as well as excellent kingfish and swordfish.
• Tropical fruits include papaya, pineapple, mango and banana.
• African dishes are an acquired taste, but worth trying. Kukuma wiki na nyama is a sauté of spinach with meat; kuku wakupaka is spiced chicken; and irio is a Kikuyu mixture of mashed chickpeas, sweetcorn, pumpkin and potatoes served with meat or fish.
• There’s a good choice of South African wine available, and fresh coconut milk is a good cool pick-me-up in the heat of the day.

Drink
• Although purified drinking water in hotels and lodges is safe, tap water isn’t. Bottled water is readily available.
• Heat exhaustion is a major hazard, so cover up in the sun and drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquid.

Religion

Christianity

Dialling code
Mombasa +254 41
Malindi +254 42

Several vaccinations are advisable; particularly yellow fever and cholera, and you should take precautions against malaria. Contact your GP or a specialist vaccination centre.

• Enjoy a sunset dhow cruise as you sip on the local drink, dower, before enjoying a fantastic lobster dinner.
• Explore the Shimba Rainforest bush on an overnight adventure, spotting a variety of wildlife and game.
• Malindi is great for fishing – you might catch barracuda, tuna and marlin.
• Snorkel in an underwater wonderland with dolphins and whale sharks.

It’s customary to tip 10% of the restaurant bill unless a service charge is included.