Diani · Watamu · Lamu
White sand, warm water and dhows at sunset, an hour from the bush. The natural last chapter of a Kenya safari, from the beach clubs of Diani to the marine parks of Watamu and the Swahili lanes of Lamu.
Kenya safaris that finish on the coast start from USD 7,500 per person.
Luxury Kenyan Coast Holidays, in Brief
A luxury Kenyan coast holiday follows a safari with a few days on the Indian Ocean: Diani in the south for the finest beaches and private villas, Watamu in the centre for its marine park and reefs, and Lamu in the north for Swahili culture, dhows and whitewashed houses. All three are about an hour to an hour and forty five minutes by air from Nairobi or the Maasai Mara, and the best months are July to March. Kenya safaris that we finish on the coast start from USD 7,500 per person.
By Abner Ongeri, founder, Karen, Nairobi
Where to Stay on the Kenyan coast
Each area has its own season and character. These are the camps and lodges we use, and when we would send you to each.
The finest beach in Kenya
A long white beach south of Mombasa, with warm shallow water, beach clubs, kitesurfing and some of the best private villas in East Africa, including Alfajiri. About an hour and a quarter from Nairobi by air.
Luxury camps and lodges
DianiThe Maji BoutiqueMarine parks and creek country
A marine national park with excellent snorkelling and diving, turtle nesting beaches and the calm creeks around Kilifi, where private houses sit above the water.
Luxury camps and lodges
WatamuHemingways WatamuA Swahili island of dhows and lanes
A UNESCO World Heritage old town with no cars, donkeys in the lanes, dhows on the channel and long empty beaches at Shela. About an hour and three quarters from Nairobi by air.
Luxury camps and lodges
LamuThe MajlisPrivate Luxury Safaris
Light aircraft connect the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo with Diani, Malindi and Lamu, so you leave camp after breakfast and swim by lunch.
Alfajiri in Diani, Sirai Beach and Cardamom House on the creeks, each taken by one party with its own staff.
Marine parks, Swahili history, dhow sailing and some of the best seafood in Africa.
See luxury Kenya safaris, every Kenya journey and every camp we use in Kenya.
Luxury Kenyan Coast Holiday Packages
We design most journeys to the Kenyan coast from a blank page, around your dates and the rest of your route. Start with a ready made journey and we will add it, or tell us what you have in mind.
Best Time to Visit The Kenyan Coast
Choose a month to see the weather, the wildlife, the prices and where we would place you. Choose a month to see the weather, the wildlife, the prices and where we would send you.
Luxury Private Villas in the The Kenyan Coast
A whole house for your party, with your own guide, vehicle and chef.
The safaris were intimate, never rushed, and our guide made each sighting significant.
Guest review · Rated 4.9 from more than 170 reviews
Good to Know
July to March. December to March is hot, dry and clearest for diving, and July to October is cooler and breezy, pairing perfectly with the Great Migration. April and May are the long rains, when many hotels are quiet.
Diani has the best beach and the finest villas. Watamu has the marine park and the best snorkelling and diving. Lamu has the culture, the dhows and the quietest beaches. Many guests choose Diani for a first visit.
By light aircraft: about an hour from Nairobi to Diani, an hour and a quarter to Malindi for Watamu, and an hour and three quarters to Lamu. Flights also run from the Maasai Mara and Amboseli.
Alfajiri Villas and The Maji in Diani, Hemingways Watamu on the marine park, and The Majlis on Lamu, with Sirai Beach and Cardamom House as private houses on the creeks.
Kenya safaris that finish on the coast start from USD 7,500 per person. Three or four nights on the coast usually adds USD 1,200 to 3,500 per person to a safari, and a private villa more.
Very. Diani and Watamu have calm, shallow water, excellent villas with staff, and short flights from the bush, which suits children far better than long drives.
The Kenyan coast is quicker and cheaper to reach from a Kenya safari, with superb villas. Zanzibar has more Swahili history and the private atoll of Mnemba. Both are lovely after a safari.
Three to five. Four nights is the sweet spot after a week in the bush.
Begin
Share your dates and who is travelling. A designer in Nairobi will place you where the game will be, hold the best camp for your dates and send an exact price within 24 hours.
Also see luxury Kenya safaris, the Maasai Mara, Zanzibar.