Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi

Vasco da Gama is famous for finding the first all water trade route between Europe and India. However, he also made his mark on African history by visiting the Port of Mombasa in 1497. In 1593, the Portugese built Fort Jesus in Mombasa to protect their colonial interests on the East African Coast.

Spend your time in Mombasa and the Coast combining cultural day safaris with time relaxing on the beach. Active travelers may take short day tours of the historic Fort Jesus as well as tours of beautiful Mombasa Old Town which boasts historic Swahili and Arabic architecture. Or you can partake in water sports including catamaran rides, canoe rides, glass bottomed boat snorkeling trips and windsurfing and deep-sea fishing. Perhaps you just want to relax, in which case Mombasa provides ample white sand beaches and whispering palm trees in the luxury hotel of your choice.

We can also arrange a few days on the island of Lamu, Kenya’s oldest continuously inhabited town. Lamu is an island located off the coast of Kenya with a rich Swahili and Muslim heritage. Explore Lamu’s unique architecture. Most buildings date back to the 18th century or before. Buildings utilize local materials including coral-rag blocks for the walls, wooden floors supported by mangrove poles, makuti roofs, and intricately carved shutters for windows. We can arrange visits to the historic villages of Shela and Matondoni, Lamu Fort, the Swahili House Museum, and the Donkey Sanctuary.

And then, of course, there is always the beach– complete with white sand, swaying palm trees, and an equatorial sun.