Diani Beach

Travelling to Mombasa

We flew to Mombasa from Nairobi with Kenya Airways. The flight cost £123 per person for a return flight including 20kgs of luggage. The flight takes approximately one hour. During the flight we were offered a soft drink and a snack. Unfortunately they don’t sell any other refreshments or food on the flight. Whilst flying to Mombasa we could clearly see the top of Kilimanjaro through the clouds.

When we arrived at Mombasa airport our taxi driver was waiting for us with a sign with our names on. We had booked the return transfer through booking.com at a cost of £88 for the return journey. The journey time to our hotel at Diani beach was approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Our driver Cassian was very informative throughout the journey. He stopped on the way for us to buy cold drinks and cigarettes.

Ferry crossing

On the journey you have to travel over the river using the Likoni ferry crossing – this is an interesting experience in itself. One ferry carries pedestrians only and others carry the vast range of vehicles seeking to make the crossing. When you arrive at the ferry port there are queues of vehicles waiting to cross, hoards of walking passengers and people pulling carts full of goods. Adjacent to the port there is a ship permanently berthed which hosts a library. We saw a long line of children from various local schools waiting to enter the library. It really is a colourful hive of activity at the crossing.

Accommodation

When we arrived at the Baobab Beach Resort the concierge greeted us and took our cases. We were asked to take a seat and were offered a soft drink. A friendly member of the front of house team came over to us and explained the various aspects of the hotel including the dining options, swimming pools, shops, spa and massage facilities and entertainment. The Baobab is an all-inclusive resort in Diani Beach.

Rooms

We were then taken to our room which was on the far side of the hotel by the quiet pool. Our room had two double four-poster beds with full mosquito nets. The bathroom was very large with a spacious walk-in shower (it would have been nice if it had also had a bath). In the bathroom there were double sinks with plenty of space for toiletries. There was also plenty of storage space for clothes and other belongings.  There was also a small table and seating area.

Our balcony overlooked the pool and just about a sea view. The balcony was also a good size with comfortable seating and loungers on it.  The balcony was visited daily by the local Sykes monkey. You have to ensure the balcony door is kept locked, not just shut, as these clever little fellows know exactly how to open the doors and get into your room. They will then take what they want and leave the room in a state of devastation!

Pool scene

There are several pools within the hotel complex including an infinity pool, a quiet pool, a pool with pool bar and pool located near to the main bar. There were always plenty of beds around the pool so there’s therefore no need to get up early to grab one. The infinity pool and pool near to the main bar both have entertainment throughout the day including water polo, aqua aerobics, and dancing.  We visited all of them except the quiet pool as we were not sure we would be welcome!  It was an enjoyable experience to be sat at the pool bar sampling the cocktails, especially the local cocktail called the Dawa. These taste delicious but are very potent so be warned!

Food and drink

There are three buffet restaurants located around the complex which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can eat in any of them but we always chose the Maridadi Restaurant as we felt it was the best one and with a bit more atmosphere as well as choice. This was an enjoyable place to dine as it did not have the motorway café vibe as can be the case with some all inclusive resorts. The drinks are waiter/waitress service although if ordering a cocktail they have to go to the main bar for this which does take a bit of time. The restaurant has different themes for each day. The table covers, place mats and the uniforms of the staff all change to match the chosen theme.

The food is of a really good quality and has an excellent choice of dishes. There is something for everyone no matter what your taste. At breakfast you can have a full English if you wish but there is also plenty of choice for other tastes, including Indian cuisine.  There was always cereal, fruit and pastries available ant much more.  

Indian Influence

There is a big Indian influence in the cooking in Kenya which can be seen from the food served at every meal. We love Indian food so it was great for us!

Vegetarians

Vegetarians need not worry either as there a good choice too. In fact we often ate the vegetarian curries which were amazing. Lunch and evening meal also had an amazing choice – too much to mention. We were never disappointed with the food or the service. The hotel has two A la carte restaurants which you pay an additional fee for. As a result these were fairly empty during our stay.

A la carte

We usually like to eat somewhere different whilst on holiday but to be honest the menus did not appear to be any better than what was served in the buffet restaurant. The setting for the buffet restaurant is also lovely and you can have views overlooking the sea. Whilst dining here it felt more like a dining experience than a buffet restaurant due to the tasteful decor and excellent service.

Daytime snacks

There are also snacks available throughout the day at each bar. There is also a small area which serves pizza and chips beside the infinity pool. We ate lunch here on a number of occasions. The pizzas were freshly cooked and tasty and a range of refreshing cocktails were served at the bar next to the pizza servery. The view of the pool and beach beyond whilst eating your lunch made for an enjoyable experience.

Premium drinks and happy hour

In the bars some of the premium drinks are chargeable which is typical for a lot of all inclusive resorts unless you have booked ultra all inclusive. We did treat ourselves to some of the premium cocktails and bottles of cider. Happy hour is 7pm – 8pm when the premium drinks prices are reduced, but even outside of these times the drink prices were very reasonable. The bottles of cider were less than £2 outside of happy hour and a premium cocktail less than £4 so we were happy to indulge!

Entertainment

The entertainment in the hotel was spectacular. Although the shows are performed by the entertainment team and not brought in as some hotels do they were fantastic. The talent on show throughout the team was exceptional. They were all true performers and almost as good as some West End shows we have seen. The acrobatic shows just left you amazed. Our favourite show was The Lion King but we liked every show we saw. The large amphitheatre where the shows are performed also has its own bar therefore no need to bring drinks with you from the other bars.

Mombasa Sightseeing Tour

Prior to travelling to Kenya we had booked a sightseeing trip to Mombasa through Viator at a cost of £32 each . Our driver picked us up at around 7am from the hotel. We picked up several other people from various hotels along the way and then drove to Mombasa. Unfortunately we did not meet our guide until we reached Mombasa where we joined together with another group of people. Our guide Octavian then led the combined group.

Mombasa Tusks

The coach stopped at the famous Mombasa tusks. These were built in 1952 to commemorate a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. The tusks were made from wood and canvas.  These tusks are a big tourist attraction now and a must see if in Mombasa. We had plenty of time for photo opportunities.

We were then taken through a small park to the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple. Whilst walking through the park the guide pointed to several bats hanging from the trees. In the park there were also a lot of homeless people which was sad to see.

Swaminarayan Hindu Temple

Once through the park we had to cross several roads to get to the Temple. Once inside the Temple you had to remove your shoes before you could walk around. The Temple was beautiful with vibrant colours and very ornate. There were several murals telling the story of various members of the monarchy and gods. We were there for a sufficient time but we are sure that we could have read and seen more if we had stayed a little longer.

Wood carving centre

Our guide Octavian provided us with information as to how the wood carving centre worked. Each hut was owned by an individual family. They hand make a range of products and then attach their unique family number to each item. When their items are sold in the main shop the number and amount are recorded in a book and then monies paid to the family who had produced the item. It was impressive watching them create such wonderful things out of wood with what appeared to be primitive tools. Everything is worked by hand including the painting. Octavia informed us that for every tree cut down to produce the carvings four more are planted.

Once we had seen how the carvings were produced we were given the opportunity to look around the shop. The shop had so many different items for sale, from small wooden animals to large tribal shields. The prices were pretty reasonable compared to the those in the shops and markets in Nairobi.

When we had finished looking around the shop we still had some time before we needed to get back onto the bus so we decided to wander around outside for a while and enjoy a cold drink. It was interesting to just sit and watch the monkeys playing, jumping on cars and getting up to mischief!

Spice Market

Following the visit to the wood carving centre we were taken by bus to the Spice Market. The true hustle and bustle of Mombasa can be seen in the market which was crowded and noisy, a real hive of activity. Each stall is trying to sell something to you but they were not too pushy. The colours and smells within the market were amazing. We were supposed to keep together as a group and follow the guide but several people did not do this. This part of the tour seemed a bit disorganised with people not really knowing where they should be going. We bought a tub of cashew nuts to try which were very tasty!

Surrounding the market were various small café type places selling a range of food and drinks. We like to sample the local food and so we would have loved to have had the time to do this but unfortunately we were told that we must get back on to the bus which was a walk away due to there not being any parking near the market. As we had not had chance to eat in the cafes we found a street vendor selling kebabs so we stopped and bought one – well worth it as it was very tasty. We could detect a touch of envy on the bus when we got back on and others watched us tucking into our kebabs!

Local buses

Whilst walking through the streets you cannot help but notice the local buses which are all uniquely painted. Some of the slogans on the buses did make us laugh.

Old Town

We were then taken by bus to the old town which appeared to have an election campaign in progress. The old town has its own small port. The streets and the buildings in the old town look how you would expect compared to some of the more modern buildings in Mombasa. It was interesting walking around the streets and port area just admiring the scenery.

Rug making

During our tour through the streets of the old town we were taken to a small shop where several people were busy making rugs. The guide asked if we wanted to have a go at it but we felt that we did not need to do this. We don’t think anyone in our group wanted to have a go to be honest. Most people were getting hungry by this time apart from us!

Fort Jesus

As we walked through the old town we eventually arrived at Fort Jesus. There is a fee to enter the ground of the Fort but due to shortage of time we were not able to take a look around. We needed the bathroom so our guide spoke to someone at the ticket office at Fort Jesus who allowed us to go in to use the facilities so we actually did manage to get a sneaky peak inside. It would have been nice to have had some time to explore and for photo opportunities.

We then split back into two groups; one was a small group of six of us who were heading back to Diani beach having completed the half-day tour, and the other joined a coach heading on to lunch and further sightseeing destinations.

Summary of the sightseeing tour

The tour was definitely good value for money. Our guide Octavia was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of information and facts throughout the tour. The only downside was at times it appeared to be a bit unorganised especially at the spice market. There were times when we were walking along streets trying not to lose our guide. It was late afternoon when we arrived back at our hotel. The experience would have been better if we had been allowed time for lunch as it would have been nice to sample some of the local food. Being able to look around Fort Jesus would have also added to the experience.

Sea Safari

Every day there are people on the beach waiting outside of the main hotels wanting to show you the wonderful sea life. We were stopped by two people who started to show us some of the sights – we could have said no but we were interested to learn more. Some of the sea life is very hard to spot but they knew exactly what they were looking for which made for an informative experience.

Marine life

They showed us a variety of sea creatures including starfish of various colours, sea urchins, crabs and sea snakes. We thought some of the star fish weren’t real until we saw their legs moving.

At the end they explained that they do this to earn money to support their families as they don’t have much money. We did give them some money – the equivalent of £10 which they seemed happy with and was fair enough for the time they had spent with us and the information they had provided. They asked us if we wanted to go on the Sea Safari the next morning – this is a boat that picks you up from the shore and takes you a short distance to a sand bank which is exposed when the tide goes out.

Glass bottom boat

We were picked up the following morning for the sea safari at around 10am. The boat had a glass bottom so we could get a decent view of the marine life. One of the boat crew dived into the sea and swam underneath the boat to feed the fish and so we saw hundreds of fish through the glass attracted by a tasty snack.

Snorkelling

When we arrived at the island we were given the opportunity to snorkel. We were guided by the member of the crew who had dived into the sea to feed the fish. He pointed out several different species of sea creatures for us to look at. Again he knew exactly where to look. Amongst the varied marine life we saw whilst snorkelling were giant eels and octopi. Some of the larger sea urchins are poisonous therefore you have to be careful where you tread!

Value for money

We saw a range of sea life and several types of fish of many colours. We had about an hour at the sand bank which was sufficient. The trip has to be undertaken at specific times due to the tide. We paid about £20 for the two of us and this represented good value for money. You can also buy drinks and other goods from local sellers to help support the local economy. The only thing we did not agree with was the disturbing of nature and picking creatures up. Having said that, the guides were very knowledgeable about all of the creatures and spoke about the need to protect them.

Summary of Diani Beach and Baobab Beach Resort

The whole experience visiting this lovely part of the world was just amazing from start to finish. The beaches are breath taking with white sands and turquoise sea providing a beautiful vista. The people of Kenya and Diani Beach are very friendly and happy people. We could not fault the Baobab Beach Resort in any way. At the Baobab the service from all members of staff was first class and they were always willing to help. Everyone had a smile on their face when serving the guests, something that cannot be said at some resorts we have visited. Everyone works tirelessly at the Baobab to ensure that guests have an enjoyable holiday. The grounds of the Baobab are immaculate and are maintained on a daily basis.

It is also lovely to see monkeys, baboons and dik dik wondering freely around the resort grounds. The monkeys did try and steal food and drinks but they never behaved in an aggressive manner. Members of staff do try and chase them away to ensure that the guests aren’t bothered by them. Would we definitely recommend Diani Beach and Baobab Beach Resort.

Things to do

• If you have not already been on a Safari prior to your Diani beach visit Tsavo East and Taita Hills
• Do the Sea safari
• Do a sight seeing tour of Mombasa.
• Do a snorkelling tour to Kisite Marine Park.
• Visit the Fort Jesus museum.
• Do a Wasini day trip dolphin watching.
• Sample the local cuisine.

Top Tips

• If booking excursions ensure you book with a reputable company. Check them out on tripadvisor prior to booking.
• Keep you balcony door locked at all times to prevent the monkeys getting in.
• If venturing outside of the hotel be aware that some areas are unsafe – it’s best to check with the hotel reception staff to make sure.
• Prior to visiting Kenya ensure you have taken Malaria tablets and that you have enough to cover your visit and after your return depending on the medication you are taking.
• Ensure you take plenty of mosquito repellant.
• Use the mosquito net at night.
• Do not wear expensive jewellery / watches especially if you are going in to the centre of Mombasa.
• Be vigilant at all times especially in the centre of Mombasa as there is a risk of pickpockets.
• If going on any excursion ensure you have plenty of water, hand sanitiser, sun cream, mosquito spray and tissues.
• Check out the weather below for the best time to visit Diani Beach and Mombasa.
• Check out other destinations in Africa we have visited. Click on the following links Safari/Nairobi, Tunisia, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo, Cape Verde, Agadir
• Visit the government website for information on safety and security before visiting Mombasa https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	32	33	33	31	30	28	28	29	29	29	31	32
Low Temp	23	23	24	24	22	21	20	20	21	22	23	23
Rainfall	37	10	49	124	238	84	61	60	54	112	118	69
Number of days	4	2	6	12	16	12	13	12	12	11	10	8