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ATTRACTIONS AT THE COAST | ||||||
The Kenya coast with its protective reef stretching 400km from north of Lamu down to Vanga on the Tanzania border has Mombasa roughly at its center- the second largest town of kenya and the larges port on the east coast of Africa.On its white, sandy, palm fringed beaches there are hotels of type and size to suit most pockets. All are generally staffed by local friendly people speaking, or at least understanding English, German, Italian, French and Spanish. The main hotels- all with beach frontage have their own swimming pools shops or boutiques often hairdresser. Long and short cotton dresses are for sale as is men’s casual wear Locally mined semi-precious gemstones and hand-made jewellery are also available with postcards, books and most other vacation requirements for visitors. Most bedrooms are air-conditioned with bathrooms and/or showers en suite, and individual verandahs with views of the sea. Food is plentiful and varied as are the delicious local fruit and fresh fruit drinks. There is a lot to suggest that Mombasa is among most touristically attractive ports in Africa. Transport is often in air-conditioned coaches or seven-seater minibuses, some with look-out roofs for spotting the wildlife easily and for taking photographs in the parks. There is also an adequate and efficent London style taxi services. Safari bookings and car hire, is self-driven or chauffeur-driven, can be arranged through any of the main tour operators and travel agents who are all members of the Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association. Kenya Airways operates frequent services from Moi international Airport to Nairobi for connections to many capitals of the world. Light aircraft can be chartered for flights to lamu island. The nearest game park is half an hours flight away, and, the renowed Maasai Mara, two hours flight from Mombsa. By road the two major nearest national parks Tsavo East and Tsavo West are within 90 minutes drive by road. For sport lovers there is a wide variety of choice with possibly deep-sea fishing being one of the most exiciting with chances of catching large bill fish, (sailfish, blak or blue marlin), sharks and a number of smaller catches. Tagging of fish is done at most of the deep-sea fishing clubs or agencies along the coast. Bookings can be made through travel agents or resort hotels charges are among the lowest in the world. Other sports include golf (two 18 hole courses) tennis, squash, gymnasiums,wind surfing, deep-sea diving, sailing water skiing, snorkeling, even surfing. NORTH COAST. The north coast stretches for Nyali close to Mombasa through the resort areas of Bamburi and Shanzu, past Mtwapa and Kilifi Creeks and the mysterious ruins of Gedi near Malindi. It also takes in three of Kenya’s five national marine parks. From the famous Tamarind sea food restaurant overlooking the old dhow harbour northwards, hotels and restaurants, casinos, shows and nightlife cater for every taste and budget. Golf, squash, tennis and riding, tours and excursions are all available to the visitor staying by beaches of unbelievable beauty, silver white and shimmering in the sun. Additional attractions are the private wildlife and forest sactuary at Bamburi; dhow trips on the placid waters inside the reef that runs the length of the coast; the ruins of settlements and the once great town of Gedi, whose inhabitants unaccountably vanished in a boygone age; and shopping for exotic souvenirs. The marine parks at Malindi and Watamu were the first in Africa and contain a dazzling array of technicoloured fish and coral gardens which can be viewed form glass bottom tboat or by snorkelling, a fascinating yet easy pastime, even for the novice. Much of Kenya’s deep sea fishing centres on Malindi and nearby Watamu; Sailfish are particularly plentiful along this part of the coast. South Coast Most of the fine resort hotels of the south coast are centred on Diani beach, a vast, uninterrupted stretch of white sand. The hotels along this beach nestle in cleared beach front areas of the Jadini Forest still the haunt of Leopard, colobus monkeys and a myriad of tropical birds. In addition the hotels, there are several self-catering village complexes. The south coast, overlooked by the Shimba hills, stretches down the Shimoni, close to the Tanzania border. This is a major area for game fishing which takes place, mainly inthe Pemba channel, throughout the year except May and June. It is also the base for visits to the most southerly marine national park at Kisite-Mpunguti. As with the rest of the Kenya coast, the south coast has the unique attraction of being close to the magnificent wildlife. Day trips are easily arranged to Taita and Tsavo by road and to Amboseli and further afield using the most sophisticated network of air charter services in the world outside North America.
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NATIONAL PARKS AND GAMES RESERVES.
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