This is a list of the best places to visit in Kwale County. Kwale County is found on the southern end of Kenya’s coast. It comprises four sub-counties: Matuga, Msambweni, Lunga Lunga and Kinango. Although Ukunda is the largest town in the County, Kwale town acts as the capital and administrative centre.
Kwale County covers an area of 8,270 sq km, mostly on the shoreline of the Indian Ocean. The county is considered home to Africa’s best beach destinations. It offers classy resorts, villas, and unique beach experiences. Travellers and tourists can engage in watersport activities, take a sunset dhow ride, or go skydiving. In no particular order, here are the top and best places to visit in Kwale County:
Best Places To Visit In Kwale County
1. Diani Beach
Diani Beach, spanning about 18 kilometres from the Kongo River to Galu Beach, is a pristine paradise along Kenya’s coastline. Renowned for its tranquil white sandy shores, Diani Beach captivates visitors as one of the country’s premier tourist destinations. It caters to the adventurous spirit and relaxation seekers alike by offering many water activities, including swimming, boat riding, snorkelling, jet skiing, and even skydiving. Whether lounging on its powdery sands, exploring vibrant coral reefs, or indulging in thrilling water sports, Diani Beach promises an unforgettable experience immersed in natural beauty and coastal charm.
2. Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve is one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa, the first being the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. This national reserve is rich in flora and fauna and it hosts the highest density of African elephants in Kenya. There are also other animal species found in the area, such as the sable antelope, elephant shrew, bushy-tailed mongoose, and other small mammals like fruit bats.
This particular forest is an important bird area and is endowed with forest birdlife, while the grasslands hold localised species such as red-necked spurfowl, Croaking Cisticola, and Zanzibar Red Bishop. The scenic Sheldrick Falls and the dense Mwaluganje Forest are also found here, along with four campsites.
3. Colobus Conservation Centre
Located in Diani, the Colobus Conservation Centre is a must-visit attraction for nature lovers. This conservation centre focuses on the protection and preservation of the colobus monkey, an endangered species found in the area. Take a guided tour to learn about the conservation efforts and get up close to these magnificent creatures. The entrance fees are affordable and contribute to the ongoing conservation work.
4. Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest
Kaya Kinondo Forest is one of the eleven forests along the Kenyan coast and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forest holds the remains of fortified villages built by the Mijikenda people during the 16th century.
Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest is a 30-hectare forest with 187 plant species, including 36 endangered ones. The forest provides shelter to animals such as leopards, hyenas, and monkeys. Some of these animals are protected by conservationists and they are seen in the forest from time to time. Furthermore, the local Digo community of Mjikenda uses Kaya Kinondo Forest for spiritual rituals and ceremonies.
The Digo people are known for their environmental conservation efforts and their rituals and ceremonies to maintain a balance between humans and nature. During your time in the forest, your guide will advise you on the dos and don’ts, like wearing a black sarong, no kissing, no desecration of the sacred land, and most importantly, not littering or picking anything on/off the forest.
5. Diani Beach Art Gallery
It’s fascinating to see how artwork in this staggering spot brings out the qualities of different cultures. The soothing atmosphere and airy space in the gallery create a feeling of tranquillity. One that’s undeniably hard to achieve in bustling cities. The eyes of art lovers are immediately drawn to staggering pieces from well-known and upcoming artists from Kenya and Africa. The super-friendly guides have an impeccable knowledge of every work of art that makes tourists feel like the next Leonardo da Vinci.
6. Ali Barbour’s Cave
Diani Beach is home to exquisite hotels that are a haven for food lovers. While each restaurant has a one-of-a-kind dining experience, the contentment that Ali Barbour’s Cave brings is beyond explanation. It’s a massive underground chamber that is believed to be over 120,000 years old. Soft candlelight greets tourists as they descend into the cave, and there’s a magical feeling that comes with it. During the night, the large ceiling allows vacationers to gaze at the stars as they enjoy mouth-watering meals.
7. Bora Bora Wildlife Park
Situated along Diani Beach Road, this wildlife paradise allows adventurers to get up close with some of Kenya’s most renowned animals. Nature lovers can feed the giraffes under the close watch of experienced guides. After hours of animal watching, adventurers can dine at the on-site café as they watch gorgeous butterflies fly around.
8. Kongo Mosque
Kongo mosque is one of the iconic tourist attractions in Diani. The mosque was built by Arab traders back in the century and is the oldest mosque in East Africa. The mosque is surrounded by a beautiful garden with big baobab trees, which were planted by the Arabs. While outside the mosque, you can see the Kongo River and the Indian Ocean. This view makes it an excellent, picturesque place in Diani, Kenya.
9. Chale Island
Chale Island is another great destination to explore during your holiday to Diani Beach. The island is only accessible by boat or on foot. The island has the exquisite Sands at Chale Island Resort, which is a luxurious sanctuary competing with some of the best hotels in the world. The island has endless white-sand beaches, a laid-back atmosphere, and arguably one of the calmest turquoise oceans in the world. It also has a variety of local sea life that is beyond belief. Chale Island is home to an ancient forest, or Kaya, which is a habitat for many primates.
10. Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
The more than 500 elephants living in the Shimba Hills reserve often sparked bitter conflicts with the local community, and to help address this, the Mwaluganje Sanctuary was established. It straddles the area between the reserve and surrounding farmlands, offering a migration corridor for the elephants. The 243-square-kilometre sanctuary consists of land leased from more than 200 local families to a community trust.
In addition to the magnificent gigantic mammals strutting the land here, you will also enjoy stunning scenery consisting of upside-down baobab trees, palm-like trees and fan-like endemic cycads. These overlook a variety of landscapes and habitats, ranging from riverine forests that sit alongside sparkling streams to dry plains. The varied landscape is also home to baboons, leopards, warthogs, waterbucks, mongooses, bush babies, and porcupines, as well as countless insects, reptiles and birds. It is one of only two destinations in Kenya where you might have the privilege of spotting the rare Sokoke scops owl, an indigenous bird.
11. Slave Caves of Shimoni
Shimoni is a Swahili term that means “cave location.” The Shimoni caverns have a rich history that dates back hundreds of years. The caverns’ age is obvious in the massive stalactites and stalagmites inside, which add to the eerie atmosphere. Shimoni’s past is intertwined with the cave.
12. Tiwi Beach
Tiwi Beach may not be as famous as Diani Beach, but it’s just as beautiful and hosts one of the hidden gems in Diani – Africa Pool. This magical pool resembles the map of Africa and its surrounding islands. It’s visible during low tide and is a nice swimming spot.
While it’s possible to walk along Tiwi Beach to the Africa Pool, we highly recommend being accompanied by a local guide. During the walk, you’ll see coral cliffs, caves, and seashells, and spot other pools along the way. Be aware that some stretches of this beach have many sea urchins. Therefore, ensure you wear shoes to protect your feet from their stinging spikes.
13. Wasini Island
Wasini Island lies in the southeast part of Kenya, 3 km off the coast of the Indian Ocean. The island is home to the marvellous Kisite Mpunguti National Marine Park. The beauty of the island is simply mesmerising, ranging from the crystal-clear water to the colourful coral reefs and the rich marine life found in its oceans.
The abundance of boats on the docks provides an extremely picturesque view and by the way, this is a photographer’s paradise. There are a lot of activities one can engage in on arrival, these include; dolphin-watching and snorkelling.
The island is also home to the flavour-rich Swahili cuisine, there are quite many restaurants offering coconut rice, octopus, calamari, fried fish, a variety of coastal stews, and other dishes. Visitors can also tour the island and get a glimpse of the lifestyle and culture of the local people. The island itself is sparsely populated, peaceful, and very tranquil.
14. Gazi Beach
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Diani with a social impact, you’ll love visiting the Gazi Women Mangrove Boardwalk along Gazi Beach. Here, you can take a walk between mangroves, watch birds or relax by the ocean.
Although less visited, this is one of the best places in the area for nature lovers. It’s run by cheerful local women who love conservation and their cultural heritage. During the short visit, they’ll show you around and educate you on the different types of mangroves and their uses.
