3. SUN SAND SOMAK
Somak Mombasa
Gateway to the Kenya coast, Mombasa is East Africa’s leading port
and the home of Somak Safaris’ coastal operation. Now our brand
new offices provide an even greater service on our expanding client base.
Mombasa Office
Whilst current activities are focused on Nairobi, a second Somak dedicated
office building has just opened in Mombasa. Featuring many of the facilities
already enjoyed by our Nairobi clients, our new complex is on the Mombasa/Malindi
Rd, close to the Bamburi Nature Trail.
Mombasa port
Gateway to the Kenya coast, Mombasa is East Africa’s leading port
and the home of Somak Safaris’ coastal operation, serving beach
resorts from Lamu to Zanzibar. Somak’s offices in the city make
all arrangements for incoming visitors on beach vacations, and with a
high number of charter aircraft serving Mombasa and cruise ships using
the city’s port facilities, their role is an important one. Somak
Mombasa provides transfer and representation services for incoming tour
operators using the large range of beach hotels, in addition to organizing
excursions to many of the areas most popular sites, including a number
of game reserves close by.
Kenya’s Coast
Kenya’s beautiful coastline is world famous, and acts as the perfect
complement to the rigours and exhilaration of safari days. The series
of palm-fringed beaches that stretch the length of the coast are of picture-postcard
quality, and the range of accommodation suits all tastes. Kenya’s
480 kilometres of coastline is packed with choice: Silver white beaches
- washed by the turquoise Indian Ocean, Coral Reefs Creeks, Mangroves
& the Marine Park’s like Watamu.
The Kenya Coast
The Kenya Coast is one of Kenya’s main attractions. It offers a
combination of historical sites, and superb beaches and coral reefs, of
which Ernest Hemingway once wrote “are completely unmatched in the
world”. The Kenya Coast can be divided into four main regions: the
town and port of Mombasa; the South Coast stretching from Mombasa to the
Tanzania border; the North Coast covering the beaches from Mombasa to
Kilifi; and finally Watamu, Malindi, and the Lamu archipelago.
Mombasa
Mombasa town is Kenya’s second largest town and main port. It has
a history stretching back nearly 2,000 years, including periods of colonization
by Portuguese, Arabs, and the British. The town of Mombasa is actually
on a small island, and is a cosmopolitan blend of African, Arabic, Asian
and European cultures. The old town of Mombasa is fascinating and worth
exploring for its maze of narrow streets.
North Coast
Linked to Mombasa by the Nyali Bridge, the North Coast is easily accessible
from Mombasa Island and offers long stretches of idyllic beaches fringed
by swaying palm trees. Evening entertainment abounds both in resort and
in a wide selection of bars and restaurants. The North Coast resorts are
ideal for those who would like to combine the tranquility of their resort
with the opportunity to try out different bars and restaurants, and also
for those ants, and also for those who require their resort to be a short
journey away from the airport and Mombasa Island.
South Coast
The South Coast is about an hours journey away from the airport and requires
a ferry crossing. The journey is well worth it however, as the South Coast
beaches are amongst Kenya s finest. The majority of resort development
is on Diani beach, a 10 kilometre long stretch of talcum white sands lapped
by crystal clear waters of the ocean. Around Diani beach, there is some
development of shopping centers, bars and restaurants
Malindi
Malindi, just north of Watamu, was an important Swahili settlement in
the 14th century, and later on became the centre for Portuguese operations
on the East African coast. Malindi is now a popular resort town with good
snorkelling, diving, and deep-sea fishing.
Watamu National Marine Park
Watamu has an exceptional shoreline and features the Watamu Marine National
Park close by. The coral reefs fringing Kenya s coastline harbor an abundance
of colourful marine life, and ensure safe swimming in the glorious waters
of the Indian Ocean. A full range of water sports is available from most
resorts on the coast, although Watamu is renowned for its superb diving,
and deep sea fishing.
The Lamu Archipelago
The Lamu Archipelago is a cluster of hot, low-lying desert islands off
the northern coast of Kenya. Chain of seven islands and multitude of islets.
Throughout the archipelago there are numerous historical sites, evidence
of a colourful past.
Lamu Island
Lamu Island is claimed to be Kenya’s oldest living town - archaeological
sites indicate that towns have existed here for the last 1200 years. Here
one encounters a separate spectrum of Swahili culture, reflected in the
fascinating history that abounds, with its distinctly Arab flavor. Today
the call of the Muezzin emanating from one of the 29 mosques acts as a
distinctive reminder. There are very few vehicles on the island as the
streets are too narrow and winding for anything other than pedestrians
or donkeys. In this deliciously lazy atmosphere, nothing happens in a
hurry.
Manda
Just off Manda's coastline too it is a snorkellers paradise. Manda itself
is characterised by a mixture of palm dressed sandy beaches, mangrove
swamps and muddy creeks and the impressive ruins of Takwa.
Kiwayu Islands, Kiunga Marine Park
These islands and their marine park offer remote tranquility, north of
Lamu beneath the Somali border. Kiwayu has some of the best reef in all
of Kenya, but is about 50km from Lamu.
Zanzibar
Most prominent of the Spice Islands, Zanzibar has a potent mix of history,
legends and unique cultures. Visually stunning with exceptional natural
beaches and the haunting architecture of Zanzibar town, the island has
lured travelers to its shores for centuries. Its past was dominated by
merchants, rulers, explorers, scholars - today tourism is playing a key
role. Zanzibar provides the perfect compliment to an East African safari.
Pemba
Also known as the Spice Island, Pemba Island lies north of Zanzibar and
is quite a contrast to Zanzibar. Pemba has lured multi-cultural travelers
(including Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese,
Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and English) to its shores for
centuries. Famous for being a major producer of cloves, and infamous as
being a slave entrepot. The old stone town of Zanzibar has a fascinating
labyrinth of narrow winding streets lined with whitewashed, coral-rag
houses with overhanging balconies and magnificently carved brass studded
doors. Shops, bazaars, mosques, courtyards, squares etc. Outside town
there are more ruined palaces, Shirazi remains, Persian baths, and magnificent
palm fringed beaches with warm clear water, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Mafia Island
Mafia Island lies to the south of Zanzibar, at the mouth of the Rufiji
River. Mafia Island used to be am important settlement from the 12th to
14th Centuries, but these days is better known for its excellent diving
and also deep sea fishing. In addition Mafia is an important breeding
ground for giant turtles which come up onto the white coral sands to lay
their eggs.
Shimoni, Wasini, Chale & Funzi Island
Shimoni Wasini Island is popular with day trippers. A typical visit may
include a boat trip to Wasini with some superb snorkeling en-route followed
by a seafood lunch on the island and the opportunity to explore the island
with its village and old ruins. Shimoni is worth a visit for its fascinating
caves, and is a base point for deep sea fishing in the Pemba Channel,
considered to be one of the world s finest stretches of sea for big game
fish.
Following the coastline southward you reach Chale Island. Chale Island
is a small coral island located off the south coast of Mombasa. 2/3 of
the island is a nature reserve containing a wealth of animal and bird
life, and vegetation. Wildlife on the Island includes baboons, Colobus
monkeys, bush babies, bush pigs and small antelopes including the tiny
dik dik. Deliciously lazy atmosphere.