Arrival in Mombasa in the morning and transfer to Watamu. Relax at the beach.
Watamu is a beautiful stretch of sandy white beaches bordering the Indian Ocean. Enjoy the laidback beach vibes of this small town, known as an eco-tourism and watersports hub.
Drive to Tsavo East National Park. Arrive for lunch followed by an early evening game drive to return back to lodge/camp after sunset. Tsavos’s abundant wildlife awaits especially the the sight of dust-red elephants who appear red from the mineral-rich earth they spray on themselves. The sight of these gentle giants wallowing, rolling, and spraying each other with the waters of the palm-shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative images in Africa. This along with the 300-kilometer-long Yatta Plateau, the longest lava flow in the world, makes for an adventure unlike any other. The park forms the largest protected area in Kenya and is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of elephant, Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser Kudu, gerenuk, and the prolific bird life features 500 recorded species.
Head out on another exciting day exploring Tsavo East in search of the park's famous wildlife. Seek out prides of lions which may be the descendants of the famous pair or man-eating lions of the 19th century. They are usually found close to the huge herds of buffalo which call the park home. Return to the lodge for a refreshing sundowner and admire the spectacular colours of the sunset.
After breakfast, you will drive back to Kenya´s coast. You will spend the next 4 nights here. Stroll along the soft white sands, take a cool dip in the pool, relax on the beach, watch the sunrise & sit back and relax. Watamu is known for Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve, which has 3 bays: Watamu, Blue Lagoon and Turtle Lagoon. This is one of the best places in East Africa to enjoy snorkelling and diving. Sandy beaches and coral gardens are the defining features. Seabirds, as well as green and hawksbill turtles, inhabit Mida Creek with its sand flats and mangrove forest.
Optional Excursion 1 – Malindi & Gede
Be picked up from your hotel by your guide. You will then be taken to Malindi to view the historic buildings and attractions, namely the Jumaa mosque, village homes, shops, and the Palace. Visit the Vasco da Gama pillar, one of the oldest European monuments in Africa and learn about Vasco da Gama. You will then be taken to experience the beauty of the Mida Creek, 12 square miles of Mangrove forests. The creek makes an incredible transition from the coral reefs of the ocean creating a sanctuary for many species of wild birds such as sand plovers, egrets, terns, whimbrels, curlew sandpipers and sanderlings. From there, transfer to visit the remains of a Swahili town called Gedi. Here your guide will tell you about the history of the palace and tombs and the spectacular variety of trees including combretum, tamarind, baobab, wild Ficus and sterculia. Visit the Watamu Snake Farm where the largest collection of snakes in East Africa is found. Drive back to your hotel.
Optional Excursion 2 – Sundowner at Hell’s Kitchen
A 30-minute drive from Malindi town is a small unassuming village with conspicuous baobab trees. The village is called Marafa, but its proximity to the biodiversity rich Dakatcha woodlands is not its most outstanding feature. That title goes to the Marafa depression, more famously known as Hell’s Kitchen. Hell’s Kitchen is an odd sandstone canyon that might be Kenya’s best kept secret. The mini canyon is officially known as Hell’s Kitchen. The name comes from the high temperatures for which it is famous. No tours are done during the day as the temperatures reach highs of 50 degrees at some point in the canyon. But we will invite you for a sundowner to this amazing place.
Spend the day at leisure, perhaps relaxing on the beach or by the swimming pool. Stroll along the beach and have lunch at a local cafe. Spend time soaking up laid-back beach life.
There may be time for one last dip in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean before we say goodbye. We will drop you in Mombasa for your flight home.
