KENYAN COAST

Diani Beach

Relax an beauty in Kenya South Coast

31-07-2008 by redazione

At the early 1900, Diani was the first holiday place for the english. Sailors and adventurers, colonizers and dealers discovered nature and sea at only 25 km from Mombasa, while working and planning their East Africa and connecting Kenya with Uganda through a brand new railway.
The first residences were built and also Ernest Hemingway made a stop there.
Even after kenyan independence, the british citizens stationing in Nairobi were used to go to Diani to spend their holidays. Once built the first hotels, even tourists from other european countries preferred Diani, included the italians which, however, represent a minority in comparison with Malindi or Watamu. 
Today Diani, as a tourist place, has not lost its main character, that is the full immersion in the Nature although offering services and comforts. It is not excessively chaotic, it is not rowdy and its nightlife can be lived in quiet places like the Forty Thieves, a nice disco-pub on the seashore or the Shakatak, a local discoteque. 
Among Diani marvellous attractions, the monkeys, and, in particular, the "Colobo" type. Along Diani road you can see many passages within vegetation, set exclusively for these monkeys so that they can safely cross the road sides with no risks of accidents. It is a real show to see them crossing these bridges suspended in the air.
From Diani it is possible to leave for several tours. Shimba Hills wild park can be reached quite quickly through a road inside Ukunda. Among the hills, animals of any kind can be seen, especially elephants, but even some leopards. This place is also well-known for the birdwatching. Many sea tours are also possible, especially for diving, swimming among dolphins and
deep -sea fishing. 
A few km north of Diani, along a beach full of enchanting rocky and sandy bays, there is Tiwi village, a place frequented, mainly, by alternative tourists preferring the «do it yourself» formula: cottages and bungalows equipped with kitchen, campsites, ecovillages immersed in the nature to have breakfast with monkeys, big birds and varans.