The Kenyan Coast is Kenya’s leading tourist destination and for good reason, it has some of the most beautiful and pristine sandy beaches in the world dotted with world- class beach resorts that, together, offer an unforgettable beach vacation. Watamu is a small coastal town in Kenya, north of Mombasa. It’s known for Watamu Marine
National Park and Reserve, which has 3 bays: Watamu, Blue Lagoon and Turtle. Sandy beaches and coral gardens are the defining features. Seabirds, as well as green and hawksbill turtles inhabit Mida Creek with its sand flats and mangrove forest.
Included/Exclude
Accommodation for 4 days 3 nights as per itinerary. Meals as per itinerary. Return Flight tickets by Jambojet from Nairobi JKIA to Malindi Airport. Transfer from Malindi Airport to the hotel and vice versa by a luxury air conditioned vehicle. Services of a professional English/Swahili speaking driver for transfers. Hotel/Resort amenities. Government Taxes.
Any optional excursion activities chosen including jet skiing, snorkeling, spa etc. Personal Taxes. Tips, laundry, telephone calls and other items of a personal nature. Medical cover and insurance. Extra activities. Tips &gratuities.
Tour Plan
Depending on your arrival time at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you shall proceed directly to board your Jambojet flight and journey towards Watamu. Your journey will be the start of an epic adventure where every moment is infused with exploration and endless discoveries!
Upon arrival at Malindi Airport, you will be met by a representative of Royal Star Expeditions who will brief you about your safari and transfer you to the magnificent Hemingways Watamu, a true haven of luxury nestled on the picturesque Watamu. Check-in and settle into the comfortable and elegant rooms.
Hemingways Watamu is an iconic tropical paradise on the Kenyan coast sitting right in the middle of the pristine Watamu Marine National Park with its idyllic white sand beach and turquoise waters. The exceptional personal service and sincere charm of this established hotel has come to represent Kenyan coastal luxury to so many travellers for close to 30 years. It is an adventure beach resort offering world-class facilities to both corporate travellers and families. Rated among the best five star hotels in Watamu.
The hotel features tastefully furnished rooms and suites. All rooms are air-conditioned and include a mini-bar, coffee making facilities and a free Wi-Fi. The rooms offer panoramic views of the beach, pools and tropical gardens from spacious terraces accessible through glass sliding doors.
Embark on a tour of the finest world cuisines. From lavish buffets to specialty seafood, guests have a wide choice of Continental, East Asian, Indian, Arabic and Swahili cuisine, all set out in magnificent displays. Meals are served in buffet-style, with a variety of vegetarian and nonvegetarian options available.
Hemingways Watamu features two swimming pools dedicated to those who just need to wind down by the pool to enjoy cool water.
The meals at Hemingways Watamu are meticulously curated to accommodate the diverse dietary preferences and restrictions of travelers. With a fusion of coastal flavors and global culinary mastery, the hotel ensures a burst of tastes and aromas that enchant and satisfy every individual. Sunrise to sunset, each meal is a vibrant celebration of the rich culinary heritage of Kenya, promising an unforgettable gastronomic experience
DAY 2: FULL DAY RELAXATION
Rise and shine to a panoramic beach view and a delicious breakfast offering an array of freshly baked pastries, tantalizing fruits and a selection of continental and local specialties. Given that you will have a full day to yourself, you can relax and enjoy on the poolside while soaking in the African sunshine. This day is thus an easy day for your relaxation and enjoyment. The facility will have a number of activities that you can also enjoy for the day.
A well-deserved lunch is served, a delightful fusion of coastal flavors and international cuisine, served in a picturesque open-air setting with breathtaking ocean views.
DAY 3 : FULL DAY RELAXATION AT HEMINGWAYS WATAMU
Indulge in an array of a lavish breakfast at the resort, featuring different cuisines to energize you for the day ahead. After breakfast, you can choose to relax at the swimming pool or at the beach. You can also experience the various water sport activities offered at the beach including diving, jet-ski, boat trips, kite surfing, among others at an extra cost.
Overall the remaining days are designed to offer you a tranquil retreat where you can unwind, recharge and fully immerse yourself in the serenity of the resort’s surrounding. It will serve as a perfect opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and indulge in pure relaxation. You will have time to relax and unwind and enjoy the facilities at your own comfort.
Alternatively you can decide to take a stroll along the beach and explore more of marine life. Nothing is more blissful than digging your toes into pristine beach sand as you sip on a cold drink or a cold mocktail while gentle cold breezes sway the palms creating a cool atmosphere.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES TO DO IN WATAMU AT AN EXTRA COST
VISIT TO MARAFA-HELL’S KITCHEN
Get to experience the traditional homes of Malindi people, interact with locals, visit Marafa depression, sometimes called Hell’s Kitchen (not to be confused with the Hell’s kitchen in Manhattan or the Gordan Ramsay’s reality cooking show), because of the high temperatures in and around it. In the afternoons, for instance, the temperatures can get up to 50 degrees scorching. The rocks in the depression have three colors, red, yellow and white. A guided walk is advisable as the guides tell you about the legend and myth associated with this depression. Get best photos/ video of the area and a finally experience the best sunset of your life time.
SNORKELING AND SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS
You shall set out on a journey to Watamu Marine National Park. This is the best way to experience the wonders of the world underneath the sea surface. Watamu Marine Park is approximately six square miles with reefs that extend out almost one-quarter mile from the shore.
You will go by boat from the beach to the reef where you will enjoy the beautiful world in the sea. Our guides are huge fan of snorkeling. They have done it for many years and I am sure you will have a great time with them. For a little extra you can also opt to swim with the dolphins. This is a life time experience that you will never forget. After a long day in the water, you will have a chance to meet fishermen who are very friendly and like sharing their experiences at the sea. Some of these stories are more fictional than true, but you will roll off your seat from laughing as some sound like a fairy-tale.
MIDA CREEK SUNSET CRUISE
Among the thousands of possibilities to enjoy Nature that Kenya, and particularly its coast, can boast, there is certainly the sea landscape dominated by mangroves. The mangrove landscape is absolutely worth visiting. Its plants, the interweaving of roots and tree formations, the birds that frequent the humid micro climate, the particularity of crabs and fish, make mangroves unique, not only for enthusiasts. From Malindi it is possible to visit the mangroves in the inlet of Midas, at the bottom of Watamu. With a dhow, or the fisher-men’s boats, rented at Watamu Marine Park, you can enter this natural paradise. In the hundred sea meanders of Midas you will discover a world (in Midas you can also visit the elementary school on the mangrove island).
VISIT TO VASCO DA GAMA PILLAR AND GEDE RUINS
The tour start with a visit to Malindi Marine Park. Thereafter you proceed to Malindi town to see the Vasco da Gama pillar and later you visit the Gede Ruins. The Gede Ruins is one of Kenya’s great mysteries. Set in an idyllic location on the Indian Ocean, and buried deep in a lush forest, the town was thought to have been founded in the early 13th-century, although hard evidence eludes most scientists. But what has really baffled researchers is the well-established town’s mysterious abandonment and incredible development. Left standing today are numerous coral-brick houses, a palace as well as an impressive mosque. However, it is not only the quality of the ruins that amazes visitors but the advanced nature of the settlement. Gede was in many ways, a very advanced city with streets, running water and flushing toilets. Correcting the assumption that Africa was far behind the rest of the world before colonialism, Gede was a cosmopolitan urban setting, and archeologists have found Many Chinese vases, Venetian glass as well as other artifacts from all over the world.
MALINDI TOUR
This excursion takes you through the streets of the town center to visit the old market, its coastline, falconry and the wood factory.
The old city is famous for its ancient charm and for its colorful chaotic markets that are full of retailers of all sorts, giving the opportunity to observe many scenes of local daily life. At the old market, in particular, you can appreciate the sounds, colors and smells of a typical African market and buy local handicrafts.
The wood factory is also very typical and is an almost obligatory stop for those who allow themselves a half-day on the streets of Malindi, giving the opportunity to watch the wood working by local artisans and purchase the related workings.
CAMEL RIDES
Camel rides on the beach – you can opt to ride a camel if you want to avoid walking. It’s a rocky ride, sitting on these majestic creatures as they take you along the beach. The camel riding is at a fee, of course, but shouldn’t be too expensive.