Welcome to South Coast
From the hypnotic port city of Mombasa south to the border with Tanzania, this stretch of Kenyan coast is anything but ordinary. Where else can you see snow-white beaches framed by kayas (sacred forests), soft-sailed dhows and elephant watering holes, all in one day, returning by night to your digs along one of the most beautiful beaches in Africa?
Top experiences in South Coast
Travel guides
Starting at $36.39
South Coast activities
Full-Day Tour of Mombasa
You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Fort Jesus. This is Mombasa's oldest museum and it depicts the culture and the origin of the local people, mentioning the origin of Swahili. With a guide you will be able to trace the historical pattern leading to the influence of the sultans. In addition, you will learn the culture of the local people through different exhibitions.You will enjoy a walk in narrow streets of the Mombasa old town, passing through the famous fish market before driving to see the elephant tusks as a monuments of the ancient (now illegal) ivory trade. After, you will then walk in the market with lunch at a local dishes to sample the local cuisines. After lunch you will be taken to the Haller Park. This is not a zoo but a free roaming animal sanctuary born out of the idea to conserve a big old vast former cement quarry. There are lots of animals to see and depending on your excitement this will last between 2 and three hours from where you will dropped back to your hotel.
Wasini Island Full-Day Dhow Sailing Tour from Mombasa
Your full-day tour starts with hotel pickup for the transfer to the water, where you'll board an Arabian-style dhow. All equipment is provided on board, including cushions, towels, masks, snorkels, fins, and diving gear (for those who wish to scuba dive, which is available at an additional fee for qualified and non-qualified divers).Your captain and crew welcome you with a fresh fruit cocktail, and then you'll head out to protected waters, where your guide takes you on a snorkeling tour of the variety of fish and coral. If needed, assistance can be given with the use of life rings and/or life jackets. If you don't want to snorkel or only want to snorkel for a short time, there is space on the show to relax or hop on the accompanying dinghy for a glass-bottomed view of the water without getting wet. Keep your eyes open for dolphins, too. Chilled sodas and mineral water are available throughout the tour (does not include alcoholic drinks), and you'll visit a private restaurant on Wasini Island for lunch, featuring choices of seafood, non-seafood, and vegetarian dishes served with traditional coconut rice, chappatis (a type of flatbread), and spicy Swahili sauce. Your meal is followed by a tropical fruit platter, Arabic coffee, and traditional Simsim (sweets). Spend the afternoon at leisure on the island; you can relax around the natural lagoon, visit the island community project run by the Wasini ladies group, or explore the mangroves. You'll return to your hotel in the evening to end your day trip. Please note: Snorkeling and diving may be dependent on tides.
Haller Park Half-Day Tour from Mombasa
An afternoon trip to the Haller Park can be quite rewarding due to the diversity of attraction it offers. Haller Park (formerly Bamburi Nature Trail) is located South of the Bamburi cement plant along the Mombasa /Malindi road. A product of the company's efforts, since 1971, to convert barren landscape of disused limestone quarries into vibrant and diverse ecosystem of forest, grasslands and ponds. Haller park Sanctuary is home for wild animals, different species of birds and other tropical flora. Eland, buffalos, crocodiles and other reptiles can be seen wandering with crowned cranes. Other attractions in the Park include porcupines, peacocks, a snake park, fish farm, crocodile farm, giraffes, zebras, famous giant tortoises, hippos The diversity of vegetation is considerable, from mangrove palms and majestic indigenous shade trees to coastal forests where several of these plants are rare and endangered; a haven for botanist. Yet each plant plays an important role in the overall harmony of the ecosystem.
Half Day Scenic Bike Tour
A typical tour with "Bike the Coast" covers a distance of 23 - 31 km and takes about 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours of cycling on unpaved roads with no traffic. Each tour has a different level of difficulty, from 1 to 4. There are short cuts With every tour we stop at a local place to have refreshment. We have four standard tours:Along The CoastScenery: Start and end in Mtwapa, an upcoming lively town. We ride leisurely through traditional African villages in palm-tree and mango forests. About a third of the tour follows the coast and at some places we can enjoy the view on the Indian Ocean.Distance: about 40 km, short cut possibleTime needed: 4 to 5 hoursAltitude: total ca. 50 mDifficulty: 1Three Coastal AreasScenery: Three typical climate zones along the Coast: beach - palm-tree forest - semiarid area. Along the hotel area to some few upper class plots at the creek, local village, traditional Giriama village in a typical palm-tree-forest along the creek - crossing an arm of the creek. Spectacular view over the Mombasa North Coast.Distance: 24 km, 2 km tarmac with no traffic short cut possibleTime needed: 3 to 4 hoursAltitude: total ca. 150 mDifficulty: 1..2, two short but steep uphill stretchesAlong The CreekScenery: Start and end in Mtwapa, an upcoming lively town. We follow the Creek inland and ride leisurely through traditional Giriama settlements in palm-tree forests and farms, here called shamba. Spectacular views of Mtwapa Creek and almost untouched bush-land.Distance: 31 km, short cut possibleTime needed: 3 ½ to 4 ½ hoursAltitude: total ca. 150 mDifficulty: 2The Bike AdventureScenery: First we ride through palm- and mango tree forests with traditional African villages. Then we reach the semi arid area where we climb some hilltops and cross arms of the Mtwapa Creek. From a high hill we have an fantastic sight over the North Coast Area and different Creeks around Mombasa.Distance: 24 kmTime needed: 3 to 4 hoursAltitude: ca. 350 mDifficulty: 3..4, about 8 km single trail, short but steep up/down hill stretchesWhat You Bring T-Shirt and trousers Training shoes or other solid shoes Sun protection Head scarf (because you are using a rented helmet)
Mombasa Day Trip: Shimba Hills National Reserve Safar, Hike
Begin with pickup at your hotel in Mombasa, then begin the 1.5-hour drive to Shimba Hills National Reserve. Upon arrival at Shimba Hills, pay the park entrance fee at the gate, and continue into the reserve for a morning game drive. This small-group tour allows for plenty of personal attention from the guide, who will help spot animals, birds, and other features throughout the day. Watch for some of the reserve's extraordinary wildlife in the Shimba Hills’ grassland and forest; the park is especially known for sightings of the endangered sable antelope, which fight off predators using long, scimitar-shaped horns. Shimba Hills National Reserve is also home to elephants, giraffes, leopard, civet cat, monkeys, shrews, and far more. Bird watchers can tick off species on their “life lists,” as 111 bird species have been recorded in Shimba Hills, including 22 coastal endemics such as the ostrich eagle, African hawk, and honey guide. After the game drive, keep exploring on foot: walk to Sheldrick Falls with a guide, a 1- to 2-hour round-trip hike, and enjoy an oasis of lianas and greenery surrounding the 69-foot (21-meter) cascade. Pause for lunch at Shimba Hills Lodge, then you have the option to take a second walk through the bush around the lodge—or simply enjoy the view from the lodge. At the end of the afternoon, begin the return trip to Mombasa, where this tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel.
Small-Group Tour: Shimba Hills National Park from Diani Beach
Begin with pickup at your hotel in Diani Beach, then travel to Shimba Hills National Reserve. Upon arrival at Shimba Hills, pay the park entrance fee at the gate, and continue into the reserve for a morning game drive. This small-group tour allows for plenty of personal attention from the guide, who will help spot animals, birds, and other features throughout the day. Watch for some of the reserve's extraordinary wildlife in the Shimba Hills’ grassland and forest; the park is especially known for sightings of the endangered sable antelope, which fight off predators using long, scimitar-shaped horns. Bird watchers can tick off species on their “life lists,” as 111 bird species have been recorded in Shimba Hills, including 22 coastal endemics such as the ostrich eagle, African hawk, and honey guide. When the game drive concludes, keep exploring on foot: walk to Sheldrick Falls with a guide, a 1- to 2-hour round-trip hike, and enjoy an oasis of lianas and greenery surrounding the 69-foot (21-meter) cascade. Pause for lunch at Shimba Hills Lodge, then (weather permitting), you have the option to take a second walk through the bush around the lodge—or simply enjoy the view from the lodge. At the end of the afternoon, begin the return trip to Diani Beach, where this tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel.