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The Kenyan Coast History

Kenya 's Coast is at the Indian Ocean, and is divided into North and South Coast (North or South of Mombasa Island).

From the palm trees, the marine parks, the historic ruins - the coast is full of fun, breathtaking landscapes and an opportunity to have the most unforgettable experience.

Mombasa
It is the largest port in the East African Coast . It serves Uganda , Rwanda , Burundi and the Eastern side of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Though it is an island¸ you can be able to get to it through the causeway built to connect the rail and road transportation. There is also a ferry that transports both man and machine to the island.

Short History
This is a 12 th Century town, described by Arabs as the residence of the King of the Zenj (black Africans). It was ruled in this way under Arab rule until the 16 th century when the Portuguese attacked the island to destroy the Arab monopoly of trade. Due to the war, the town was virtually destroyed to rubbles, but later rebuilt by Oman Arabs. The town is thus became a mixture of Local Africans and foreigners. The Arabs and Portuguese fought for the town until the British colonialism took over. Then to independence era, the town was released to the new republic.

Places to see in Mombasa

The Old Town
To view the many interesting traditions and architectural styles that have inhabited the coast, this is the place to visit. Some buildings of the town are over 100 years old, and you can sample this history there.

The Fort Jesus
This is a fort set up by the Portuguese in 1593. It was designed by an Italian , Joao Batista Cairato ,for the Portuguese. The forts functions changed over the years that followed. It was a protuguese fort, a prison, and finally, it is now a museum.

Activities Available

Tamarind Dhow, Day and Night Cruises - these are offered with sumptuous sea foods or stake dinners, and cocktails.

Beaches - Tiwi Beach
South of Mombasa Island. Here you can do snorkelling and deep sea diving. Hotels, Cottages and villas are available.

Diani Beach
This is a very busy beach, with a lot of activities for tourists. There are numerous accommodation options such as the Diani Reef Grand Hotel and the Diani Sea Lodge....

Hotels available - South Coast

Southern Palms Beach Resort, Golden Beach Hotel, Indian Ocean Beach Club, Diani Reef Grand Hotel, Leisure Lodge and Casino, Leopard Beach Hotel, Kaskazi Beach Hotel, Trade Winds Hotel, Diani Sea Lodge, Two Fishes Hotel, Jadini Beach Hotel / Africana sea lodge, Nomad Beach Hotel, Safari Beach Hotel, Lagoon Reef Hotel.

Shimoni & Wasini Island
Shimoni Island is not far from Tanzania , and is the headquarters of Kisite Marine National Park . Here you can have the option of snorkelling and diving activities, not forgetting the dhow cruises!

Wasini Island is very close to Shimoni peninsula, and is wooded and unspoilt, the perfect place to relax. Experience Swahili culture first hand as this island is virtually still in its traditional form, with no cars, clear roads, running water or well connected electricity.

Mombasa to Kilifi (North of Mombasa)

Nyali Beach
The following resorts are available:- Mamba Crocodile Village, Bamburi Beach Resort, Neptune Beach Hotel, Ocean View Beach Hotel, Plaza Beach Hotel, Severin Sea Lodge, Travellers' Beach Hotel, Whitesands Hotel.

Kilifi
This town is between Mombasa and Malindi, has a private run beaches and houses a lot of foreigners. Here, at the kilifi creek is the best place for yachting. There is also the mnarani ruins, not as big as the gedi ruins but well preserved, which was destroyed by Galla tribesmen.

Watamu
South of Malindi, Watamu is blessed with a spectacular coral reef, and is part of the marine national park. Here, you have the option to hire a glass bottomed boat to be able to view the beautiful corals. Its sands are white - dazzling is a simply a beautiful spot to unwind in.

Gedi Ruins
This is a former Arab-Swahili town of the 13th century, that is mostly shrouded by mystery, as it is not mentioned by Portuguese chronicles of that time. It is explained to have been abandoned due to attacks by Zimba cannibals who destroyed the town, or mysteriously abandoned by its inhabitants in the 17th - 18th century. Excavations have revealed Chinese Porcelain and glassware from Persia . Below is a breakdown of what is available at these ruins.

The Tombs, Great Mosque & The Palace
These tombs were dated by Muslims of that time to the 13 century and have provided a starting point for dating of other ruins and buildings within their vicinity. The Great Mosque dates back to the mid - 15th century, and has its mihrab facing towards Mecca . The Palace, is a part of this Gedi group, and are right behind the Mosque. It has all the architecture and splendour of an old time mosque, complete with a fine Pillar tomb at the middle.

Malindi
Malindi is a Swahili town, and one of the few places at the cost that the Portuguese found themselves welcomed. It is at this town that Vasco Da Gama made his famous cross as a navigational aide - as he attempted to go round the whole of Africa , stopping at bays and coastal towns such as Malindi.

Malindi has The Vasco Da Gama Cross / Pillar, the Vasco Da Gama Church and two tombs in which two of his crew members were buried. There is a Marine National Park , snake park and falconry full of caged birds of prey.

Malindi is also the best place to go scuba diving and also has a diving school for those wishing to learn. Deep sea fishing is also available.

Being a resort beach, it houses a lot of clubs and discos and the night life in Malindi is vibrant.

Lamu
This is a remote town, the population being mostly muslim. There is virtually no vehicle activity - only official vehicles, and they can only be at the main road. Lamu was built very traditionally with winding narrow streets, and therefore the main mode of transport is the Donkey.

Lamu was a vibrant port town in the 1500s. It surrendered to the Portuguese in that year and then followed numerous succession wars all the way to the 1700s, when control turned over to the victorious sultans, until Kenya 's independence in 1963.

Lamu residents still cling to their traditions and even their traditional activities still go on. This means that Lamu is probably the best place to visit for a relaxing, cultural and unforgettable retreat.

Historical - Lamu Museum is a good introduction to Swahili culture.

Swahili House Museum
A house with preserved Swahili furniture and anything that displays Swahili home life.

Lamu Fort
This was a fort by the Sultan at the 1810 period, finished in its construction in 1823. However, under British colonial rule, it was used as a prison. But it is now a walk way through natural history, complete with a small library.

Donkey Sanctuary
Houses injured or unwell donkeys, and is under a trust run by the Donkey Protection Trust of the U.K.

Villages - Matondoni / Kipongani & Shela
Matondoni village is where dhow boats are built and repaired, and an exellent place to see them first hand. Kipongani village is a good visit to mix with the locals, who are friendly and indulge you in the making of straw hats, baskets and mats. There is also a beautiful beach available. The people of Shela, speak at a different Swahili dialect that is noticeable. The beach is mainly unspoilt and is good to relax in. Dhow trips are largely available around Lamu and the villages.

Islands Around Lamu - Manda / Manda Toto
Manda islands inhabits the takwa ruins, which were abandoned by local people in the 17 th century. The houses are built of Corals and limestone, and consist of about 100 of these structures, a mosque and a tomb dating back to the 16 th century. Manda toto island is smaller, but offers the best in snorkelling possibilities. Accommodation available there can vary...try tortillis' Manda Bay.

Pate Island
There are a number of Historical Sites - Pate town, Siyu and Faza.

It is claimed that Pate was founded around the 13 th century by immigrants in Arabia . The fall of business and the uprisings by native locals, meant that the Portuguese who inhabited the island, left to Mombasa . Pate and Lamu were in constant wars as they sought to defeat each other.

Siyu
This was famous as an Islamic scholarship and crafts centre. Its demise was as a result of attacks by the Sultan's who wanted its control. It has undergone numerous renovation and is therefore ready for touring.

Faza
It was built before the 13 th century, but it was destroyed them by Pate armies. Then it was re-built again in the 16 th century, only to be destroyed by the Portuguese because of it's collaboration with the Turkish armies. It was rebuilt after the Portuguese took it over in the attempt to claim Pate Island , but later died down once again. Faza's main place of interest is at Kunjanja Mosque - A ruin of the earlier centuries, with a tomb of an Arabic Faza Commander,
Amir Hamad, who was killed and buried there in 1844, whilst defending Faza from Pate and Siyu.

Kiwayu Island
Kilometres away form Lamu Island , Kiwayu is mainly a getaway for the view of Coral Reefs valued as some of the best in East Africa . Dhow trips to Lamu are highly recommended and this is its main highlight.

The Kenyan Coast

Kenyan Coast Information

Islands of the Kenya Coast

North Coast Resorts

South Coast Resorts

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