Diani Beach
Long white-sand beach south of Mombasa, fringed with palms and warm turquoise water. Swimming, kitesurfing and boat trips to nearby reefs are popular.
Diani Beach
South of Mombasa, a long white-sand beach is popular with snorkellers and kitesurfers, and has relaxed beach resorts.
Attractive locations
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Hilly forest and grassland reserve inland from the coast, known for its sable antelope and elephants and for views toward the sea.
Wasini Island
Small coral island near the Tanzanian border with a Swahili village, a coral garden boardwalk and sea access for dolphin and snorkelling trips.
Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park
Marine park of small islands and coral reefs off the south coast, visited for snorkelling and for watching dolphins.
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
Community-run wildlife sanctuary in Kwale County, home to elephants and other animals in hilly bushland.
Sheldrick Falls
Waterfall inside Shimba Hills National Reserve, reached on a walk through forest. It is a cool, shaded stop within the reserve.
Kaya Kinondo
Sacred forest of the Digo people, where community guides lead walks and explain the beliefs and customs linked to the forest. Visitors dress modestly and follow local rules.
Airports
Moi International Airport MBA
It is about 32 km in a straight line from Diani Beach.
Malindi International Airport MYD
It is about 135 km in a straight line from Diani Beach.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan28.0 °C35 mm
- Feb28.3 °C22 mm
- Mar28.4 °C80 mm
- Apr27.6 °C154 mm
- May26.5 °C193 mm
- Jun25.5 °C57 mm
- Jul24.9 °C29 mm
- Aug24.9 °C25 mm
- Sep25.5 °C33 mm
- Oct26.4 °C93 mm
- Nov27.1 °C109 mm
- Dec27.7 °C79 mm
Driest months: Feb, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Apr, May, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 34% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
999 or 112.
ngo
Kenya Red Cross Society
Helps with: Kenya's national Red Cross society. Its contact page lists a head office in Nairobi, a main phone line and a toll-free number, 1199.
Who qualifies: People in Kenya who need Red Cross help or information.
Phone: +254 703 037 000
Address: South C (Bellevue), Red Cross Road, off Popo Road, Nairobi
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Kenya
Helps with: The UN migration agency, with a head office in Nairobi. Its work covers migration management and crisis response, and it lists a call centre and a medical enquiries line.
Who qualifies: Migrants and organisations working on migration in Kenya. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +254 709 889 000
Address: Sri Aurobindo Avenue, off Mzima Spring Road, Lavington, Nairobi
embassy
Diplomatic Directory (Kenya Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The ministry's Diplomatic Directory (May 2025 edition) is the official list of foreign missions in Kenya.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own country's embassy or high commission.
Address: Old Treasury Building, Nairobi
local government
Emergency number 999 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in Kenya. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 999