Swahili Beach Coastal Extension
Set on the white sandy beaches of Diani, Swahili Beach is the latest contender when it comes to stylish indulgence on the Kenyan coast.
Set on the white sandy beaches of Diani, Swahili Beach is the latest contender when it comes to stylish indulgence on the Kenyan coast. This trip includes return flights from Nairobi to Diani Beach.
Rooms at Swahili Beach are modern with a Swahili twist, and with the largest cascading infinity pool in east Africa, the resort has set a new standard at Diani Beach. The food is top rate and the in-house Indian restaurant is outstanding. Swahili Beach is the perfect place to relax and unwind either before or after a safari or simply as a holiday in its own right.
Itinerary
| Day 1 - Diani Beach | Meals: D |
Welcome to Kenya. Your Safarilink domestic service from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport takes an hour and a half and flies you directly to the small airstrip in Diani. Before you know it you’re stepping out of the plane into the refreshing coastal breeze and the sound of the surf is in your ears. Swahili Beach is only a five minute drive away and you’ll be checked in and in your room in no time. This newly built (2011) hotel is all about elegance, grace and comfort. The interiors are inspired by traditional Swahili design and feature hardwood furniture, intricate plaster and marble work and plenty of fresh flowers. All the comforts and conveniences you would expect from a five star resort hotel, such as a large flat screen TV, air conditioning and wireless internet are present, not forgetting the spacious rain shower in the en suite bathroom. Each of the spacious rooms in the hotel has a veranda with a great view of the lush palm gardens and sea. There are five restaurants and cafes at the resort, offering distinctive food ranging from oysters and champagne to Indian Swahili dishes and gourmet Italian cuisine. You will never go hungry at Swahili Beach, that’s for sure!
Accommodation: Swahili Beach
| Day 2 - Diani Beach | Meals: B D |
What could be better than tea or coffee on the veranda outside your room after you awake on your first morning at Swahili Beach? Afterwards, breakfast is an indulgent affair with a great spread of food to choose from at the breakfast bar. The freshly made waffles are a big favourite among the guests. This is your holiday and you can decide how much or how little you want to do each day during your stay at Swahili Beach. For some guests the only reason to stray from the sun beds is to cool off in the incredible pools. In fact the main pool at the hotel is said to be the largest in east Africa and cascades in a series of terraced infinity pools all the way from the hotel to the beach. There is also a swim-up bar at which you can sip cocktails and meet other guests. Down by the shore, the beach bar is a chilled out place to relax and have lunch. The menu here includes burgers, pizzas and sundry Italian favorites, along with the über indulgent melted cheese steak sandwich. If you try one of these you’ll no doubt want to spend the hot afternoon taking a lazy nap on one of the covered sun loungers in the cooling ocean breeze - pure bliss!
Accommodation: Swahili Beach
| Day 3 - Diani Beach | Meals: B D |
Wake up to another delightful day in Diani Beach. Today you could just take it easy, or alternatively you could try out some of the water sports that are on offer. The resort offers a range of heart-pumping water-based activities, including kite surfing and wind surfing. Of course, this being Diani Beach, there are numerous other water-based activities on offer including fishing and diving, although you’ll have to venture out of the resort to find them. If you do decide to go for a long walk along the beach you won’t have trouble finding some lovely restaurants to serve you lunch. Many of them take pride in their fresh seafood served with chilled white wine. A local favourite is the 40 Thieves Bar, which also sometimes doubles as a disco in the evenings. Closer to home, Swahili Beach has an in-house seafood restaurant called Spice Roots that prepares sumptuous Indian inspired food with a Swahili twist. The Swahili chicken is particularly good and the chef is always on hand to make suggestions and let you know about his special of the day. As this evening is your last at the resort, why not dress up for dinner and dine at the Majilis Restaurant? Afterwards head down to the mellow Baharini Bar and listen to the sound of the waves lapping on the shore beneath the moonlight as you sit in the gentle light of a palm fiber lamp and savour the romance of the Indian Ocean.
Accommodation: Swahili Beach
| Day 4 - Diani Beach - Nairobi | Meals: B |
Today is the day of departure, but as your flight doesn’t leave Diani until 4pm you will have most of the day to enjoy the resort and beach. Upon departure, if you haven’t had your fill of Kenya yet then simply contact our Nairobi office and we will be happy to organise an extension to your beach break.
Included
- Half board accommodation
- Domestic airfare- Nairobi - Ukunda (Diani) - Nairobi
- Transfer to and from Diani airstrip
- All goverment taxes
Excluded
- International airfares
- Tips and gratuities to hotel staff and porters
- Drinks
- Laundry
- Medical expenses
- Excursions
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls
Expected group size:
On regular group tours the expected total group size is between 2 and 10 travellers.
Type of vehicles used:
For transfers to and from the airport and long distance trips reliable and modern minibuses are used. Please note that we cannot guarantee air conditioning.
On safari drives open-topped jeeps are used.
Food and drink:
The food prepared at the lodges and/or hotels on this tour will be of an international nature and suited to a broad range of visitors. If you have any specific dietary requirements please let us know in advance so that we can inform the lodges and hotels along the route. Alcoholic drinks, unless specifically mentioned in the itinerary, are not included in the price.
Baggage and what to bring:
Important note: If your itinerary includes a leg of the journey on a light aircraft then please be advised that the maximum TOTAL weight allowance including hand luggage is 15kg (approx 33lbs) and all luggage must be in a soft bag i.e. NOT a suitcase.
We recommend that you do not forget to pack the following:
- Insect repellant cream/spray
- Camera and binoculars
- A torch (flashlight)
- A waterproof/dustproof bag
What to wear:
Although Kenya lies in the tropics it can get chilly in the evenings and early mornings. On this trip we recommend that you include the following in your baggage:
- A pair of sturdy lightweight shoes or boots
- Light coloured clothing with long sleeves and legs for the evenings and early mornings
- A hat to keep the strong sun off your head
Level of ability required:
Although there will be no special strength and fitness requirements, please note that safari lodges situated in remote areas are by their very nature lacking in many of the modern conveniences found in cities. For this reason please be prepared for uneven floors and sometimes challenging access.
You must be able-bodied and have the ability to move independently without help on this tour.
Health and vaccinations:
You should speak to your health provider about what vaccinations you will need for your trip to Kenya. In addition, most doctors recommend using anti malarial pills for your visit and taking measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitos, such as covering up exposed arms and legs. Lodges will provide mosquito nets over the beds.
If you take any medication, be sure to bring it with you, as well as details of your prescription.
We advise all travellers to take out comprehensive travel insurance before their trip.
While you are away:
If you are away on holiday with Albatros Travel in Kenya and someone needs to get in touch with you urgently, they can call our emergency number, which is +254 722 521686
Bringing Electronic Equipment:
If you are bringing electronic equipment to Kenya, such as a digital camera, laptop computer, smartphone etc. and need to plug it into a wall socket then you should consider buying a voltage surge protector. Voltage in Kenya is set to 220v. Most (modern) electronic equipment can switch automatically to this voltage, but it is best to check the label on the power supply. Most lodges provide electrical power by way of a generator, so to protect your equipment against voltage surges it is advisable to but a voltage surge protector. Plugs in Kenya are of the British 3 pin variety, so if you are coming from outside of the UK you will need to buy some adapters, which are readily available at airport stores.
Phones and Connectivity:
If you are planning on bringing your mobile phone and/or wifi enabled laptop to Kenya you should bear the following in mind. Kenya's phone system supports 3G, and this is how most telecommunications are managed. Furthermore, many safari lodges and hotels offer wifi to their guests, and there are numerous other hotspots around the country. If you want to stay in touch during your stay in Kenya the best course of action is to buy a credit-loaded sim card for your phone/mobile device in Nairobi, and then connect to the internet and make phone calls via this.
Getting to and from Kenya:
Many carriers fly directly to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and, to a lesser extent, Moi International Airport in Mombasa. If you arrive a day or two before the start of your tour, we can help you to arrange hotel accommodation and book excursions for you. Please note that the price of this tour does not include international airfares.
Tipping and Other Costs:
Tips are expected in Kenya by anyone who provides you with a service. This could range from porters and waiters to drivers and local people whose photo you would like to take. As a general rule, it is polite to provide driver/guides with about $10 per day if they give a good service. Tips should be in Kenyan Shillings, as staff will find it difficult to use foreign currency. Other than money for tips we advise you to bring extra money on your trip to buy drinks and handicrafts.
Insurance:
Please note that travel insurance is not included in the price of this tour. We suggest that you take out a comprehensive policy from a reputable provider. If you want the peace of mind of knowing that you have an air ambulance available during your trip you could consider taking out temporary membership of the Flying Doctors.
Visa requirements:
Depending on your nationality you will probably need a tourist visa to enter Kenya for this tour. The current cost of a single-entry tourist visa is USD 50 per person and these can be purchased on arrival, for most nationals, in all major currencies.
For more comprehensive information visit the Project Visa website.
Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your trip for whatever reason, please get in touch with as soon as possible.
For more information about cancellations and refunds please refer to our general Terms & Conditions.
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