Short Tours and Safaris from Mombasa or Diani Beach

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Short safaris and Tours from Kenyan coast

Mombasa is Kenya’s second and busy city after Nairobi. Located along the Indian ocean, Mombasa, with a population of 900,000, is no sleepy seaside village. Its beachfront hotels appeal to travelers in search of sun, sand and surf, while its Arab, Indian and colonial European heritage makes for a wide variety of sights to see. It’s tourist hub in Kenya popular with beach holiday makers for its sand beaches, best beach hotels, apartments and cottages. Short Safaris from Mombasa, Malindi, Diani and Watamu beaches is a no miss.

Any visitor in any town thinks of something to add value to their stay and activities to do to. Short day excusrions, activities, tours and safaris always come in mind. While at the coast, there are so many activities one can do.

Full day Shimba Hills National Reserve

Shimba hill national reserve is a rain forest in nature and popular park with beach holiday makers at the coast. It’s less than 1hrs drive from another coast beach hotels (Mombasa) and 30 minutes driver from diani beach hotels. This proximity to the beach makes it the best short safari when one want a taste of safari while at the coast.

There are estimated to be approximately over 700 elephants in the reserve and the home for the endangered sable antelopes remaining in Kenya. Other wildlife found at shimba hills include Giraffe, Leopard, Genet, Impala, colobus monkey, vervet monkey,sykes monkey, waterbuck,, bush pig, buffalo. Other game found here include, bush baby, duler, galago, black and red shrew.

For bird watchers, this is the best place to be. With over 100 bird species recorded, 22 are coastal endemic species among them are blue sunbird, quail, crowned, greater hornbill,  honey guide, ostrich, eagle, African hawk, falcon, cuckoo. Others include Guine-fowl and fish eagle which common resident at Shimba hills lodge water hole entertaining guest having lunch.

Escorted walk to Sheldric falls inside shimba hills

Escorted walk to sheldrick fall is a must for nature lovers and health-wise fit visitors. Its more than 2kms walk in the rain forest to sheldrick falls where most take bath with water falling on their shoulders after the long walk. Going down is easy but coming uphill is tough hence one must be physically fit to do it.

Full Day wasini Island

With Kisite marine national park, wasini island is famous for dhow tours, dophin spotting where one can swim with them. Attractions include Coral reefs & Marine life, Kisite and Wasini Isand, Sandy islands that formulate during low tide. Activities include Snorkelling, Dolphin Spotting, local dhow Ride, Marine Sightseeing, Seafood Lunch, Wasini Island Village Walk and shimoni caves walk.

Full Day Tsavo East National park

Full day Tsavo East National park is the best and popular sfari with beach holiday makers at the coast. The park is almost 3hrs drive from any beach hotel in Mombasa beach, Diani beach, watamu and malindi. From Malindi and watamu, it is easily accesses through sala gate while those from Mombasa and dinia beaches use bachuma gate. During full day game drives, elephant, giraffe, bufallo, zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah, ostrich, eagles, eland, impala, Thompson gazelles, mongoose, hippos are among the many that easily seen at Tsavo east national park.

City tour of Mombasa

Mombasa is a swahili city with historical sites that are worth visiting. Fort Jesus is a must visit while on a city tour of Mombasa. Other places include old town, mosque, market, haller park, tamarid dhow, akamba craft market among other places.

Arabuko Sokoke forest

This is best for bird lovers and bird watchers although it overs a nice nature walk for all with a lot of information being offer by the resident nature guides

Over night Tsavo East National Park

Kenya is a safari destination where taking a break from the beach would add more value to beach holiday. Tsavo east is the best option to do a safari due it its closeness to the coast; 3hrs drive from any beach hotel along the coast. During this safari, one would have minimum 3 game drives, 2 the first day and 1 the last day. Extra game drive en route out of the park, noting that park fee is valid for 24hrs, hence need to exit the park same time you entered. Extra park fee is change full if found inside having over stayed.

Over night shimba Hills

As mention above, shimba hill national reserve is located along the coast town of Kwale, few minutes drive from diani beach and an hour drive from Mombasa. This would be the good place to doan over night safari from any beach hotel along the coast more so from Mombasa and diani beach hotels. Overnight will be at Shimba hills lodge, the only lodge found in the reserve.

Full day or over night Mwaluganje conservancy

Short safaris from Mombasa to Waluganje conservancy is by far an extension of shimba hills though locally owned conservancy. It serves as migratory corridor for elephants from shimba hills. Hundreds of elephants can be spotted here, buffalo among other wild animals. Overnight at Mwaluganje camp is always a better option.

3 Days Tsavo East and Tsavo West National parks

Tsavo is the biggest national park in Kenya, with Tsavo east and tsavo west separated by Mombasa- Nairobi highway is another short safaris from Mombasa. Starting in either park, this is a safari like no other where one will see almost what there is to see on any safari in Kenya. From elephants, buffalo, rhino, lion, leorad, cheetah, giraffe, gacezlles, zebras among many others will be available for one to spot while on game drives. Mzima spring at tsavo west is a must visit with its under water glass to see hippos, fish and crocodiles. While at Tsavo East, stay at Satao camp, Ashnil Aruba lodge, Voi safari lodge, Voi wildlife lodge would be great. In Tsavo west, Kilaguni serena lodge, Ngulia, Severin camp are among the best places to stay at.

3 Days Masai mara

Masai mara is the most famous safari destination in Kenya. This is not a place to miss even when on a beach holiday at the coast. Though one can get to masai mara by road or train through Nairobi, flying is the best option and shorter way to get to masai mara. Mombasa Air is the main airline that flies from Coast beach towns to masai mara dailiy with one flight in the morning and another in the afternoon. Depending from which airport is closer to the hotel, it’s recommended to be at the airport latest 7am. Departs Mombasa airport at 730am and picks cleits an Diani airstrip and at Malindi airport.

Depending with which lodge or camp guest are staying, 4 shared game drives a must. Afternoon game drives on the arrival day, morning game drives and afternoon game drives the nest day and an early morning game drive the last day. Flight back to the coast departs from 2pm depending from which lodge or camp one is staying at since airline picks guests from different airstrips in Masai Mara. Flights arrives at the coast from 430pm and a transfer back to the hotel to continue with beach holiday stay at the sand beach.

Amboseli National park

Short safaris from Mombasa to Amboseli national park is a better option too from the coast. This is popular with guests who want to do 3 to 4 days safaris itinerary. An overnight at Tsavo east and 2 nights Amboseli is a good option for guest taking beach break. However flying using Mombasa air is preferred option for those who just want to visit Amboseli. Here there are hundreds on elephants, buffalo, zebra, lions, leopards, cheetah, giraffe among many other wild animals found in Kenya. Located at bonder of Kenya and Tanzania, Mt. Kilimanjaro makes a visit to Amboseli so memorable. The best views of Kilimanjaro are from Amboseli and most photos one can see are taking from Amboseli national park.

Now you know the best short safaris from Mombasa and activities to do during your beach holiday in Kenya!