Kilifi Safaris

Price Per Day

USD 60 - USD 200 Per person sharing Per night

Location: The town of Kilifi is located on Kenya’s east coast, just north of Mombasa. Kilifi Creek, the Goshi River estuary, and magnificent beaches make this destination one to consider when visiting Kenya. Watamu Marine National Park is located nearby with Mombasa Airport a two-hour ride away.

Size: Kilifi covers an area of approximately 4730 sq miles in size

History: With the success of cashew nut milling in the late 20th century Kilifi made its mark on East Africa’s map, continuing to produce cashews to this day. Joining of Kilifi and Malindi Districts resulted in the formation of the Kilifi County in 2010. There is a rich history of both Swahili culture and Islamic traditions due to the region’s many Swahilii-Arab descendants. Arabic and Swahili are spoken.

Entrance Fees & Permits: N/A

Hours of Operation: N/A

How to Get There

By Road: Driving from Nairobi will be a journey of just under nine hours and not really recommended. Most visitors will fly into Mombasa or Ukunda airports and transfer from there by road to the Kilifi area, a journey of around two hours.

By Air: Flying into Mombasa Airport from other parts of Kenya, other East African destinations, or via Dar es Salaam from an international destination is the best way to get to the Kilifi area. The transfer from Mombasa Airport is around two hours while from Ukunda Airport, an airport typically used for connecting to safari destinations, will take approximately three hours.

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate: The weather is warm and inviting between the months of June and November and dry enough to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Kilifi region. The rain falls between for a short time late December into early February with the longer rains falling in April and May.

Avoiding Crowds: Visitors should consider traveling to Kilifi around late May or around January and early February to enjoy the wonders of the area, but to avoid the crowds. Availability is better and the beaches are not as crowded as they are between June and late September.

Value for Money: There is a variety of accommodations available in Kilifi, from backpacker options to modest hotels and family-friendly resorts. As Kilifi is a little further away from the popular beach destination of Diani, there is a variety of accommodation options in the area that would fit a modest budget.

Marine life & Topography

Popular Marine Life Sightings: With a rich sea life comprising a colorful array of fish, exploring the waters off the shores of Kilifi is a perfect way to spend the day. Visitors have a chance of spotting parrotfish and zebrafish as well as many turtles at play.

The Aquatic & Surrounding Landscape: Natural coral reefs provide homes to the vibrant marine life present in the waters off the shores of Kilifi beaches with a little support from locals. An initiative was started to provide ‘homes for fish’ with small structures to support the precious marine life. The beaches are long, white and sandy. Nearby, one can visit the forested area of Arabuko – Sokoke, adding a contrast in color and terrain to the beautiful beaches.

Safari Experiences

Visitors to Kilifi County can enjoy stunning white, sandy beaches

Lodges & Camps - Accommodation Overview

KILIFI BEACH HOTELS
Lodge or Hotel	Distance to Mombasa City
Baobab sea Lodge	10 miles from Kilifi Town
Mnarani Beach Club & spa	11.1 miles from Kilifi Town
Silver Palm Spa and Resort	12.4 miles from Kilifi Town
Distance Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers	11 miles from Kilifi Town

Points of Interest

Mnarani Ruins: Visitors to the Kilifi region can discover the fascinating ruins of two mosques dating back to the 1400s at the Mnarani Ruins. Situated on a hill that overlooks Kilifi Creek, the archaeological site includes several tombs and remnants of an ancient Swahili settlement.

Watamu Marine National Park: Kilifi is located close to the Watamu Marine National Park where visitors can experience a spectacular array of marine life, including magnificent green turtles at play.

Arabuko-Sokoke National Park: This national park is located at the edge of the forest reserve of the same name, a small area of land offering thick vegetation and dusty roads. Home to a variety of wildlife such as vervet monkeys, savannah elephants and the Sokoko bushy-tailed mongoose.

FAQs

- When is the best time to visit Kilifi?
The best time to visit Kilifi is between the months of June and September when the weather is mild and the climate is dry. Great, long beach days are simply inviting.
- How much does a stay in Kilifi cost?
Pricing for accommodation ranges from USD 60 per person sharing per night to around USD 200 per person sharing per night, depending on your choice of where to stay and of course, for how long.
- How to get to Kilifi?
The best way to get to Kilifi is to fly into Mombasa and transfer, by road, approximately two hours to your accommodation of choice in the Kilifi area.
- What makes Kilifi so special?
The beaches are wonderful here and the area is a little less crowded than in Diani. The Mnarani Ruins and Arabuko-Sokoke Forests are wonderful sites in this region.
- What marine life can I see in Kilifi?
Vibrant sea life is present in Kilifi with the option to visit nearby Watamu to see green turtles at play.
- When is Kilifi open?
N/A
- Do you need to book in advance to visit Kilifi?
It is advisable to pre-book your stay in Kilifi as accommodation options are limited and may book up quickly.
- What’s the best way to see Kilifi?
Spend between three to seven days enjoying the magnificent beaches, historic sites such as the Mnarani Ruins nearby, and the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. Self-drive or transfers and excursions are the way to go.
- What hotels, lodges, and camps are near Kilifi?
There are a variety of options when it comes to accommodation choices in Kilifi. Some popular options include the Baobab Sea Lodge, Kilifi Bay Beach Resort, Bofa Beach Resort, Mnarani Beach Club and the wonderful Silver Palm Spa & Resort.
- What restaurants are near Kilifi?
Kilifi Boatyard, Nautilus Restaurant and the White Star Restaurant are good options for dining in and around Kilifi.
- What attractions are near Kilifi?
Visitors can discover the history behind the Mnarani Ruins, the remnants of an ancient Swahili settlement including tombs, make for a very interesting visit. Spend time watching green turtles at play at the Watamu Marine National Park. Wander through the landscape of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, keeping a lookout for the bushy-tailed mongoose and cheeky vervet monkey.