Where We Go

Destinations

Six landscapes across the Kenyan coast and safari circuit — each explored in depth below, with an interactive map and the tours that visit it.

Watamu

Kilifi County, Coast

Watamu

Watamu is the jewel of Kenya's north coast: a scatter of coral coves and lagoon beaches protected within one of East Africa's oldest marine national parks. By day, dhows sail out to reef gardens rich with turtles and tropical fish; by evening, the town's laid-back beach bars and seafood grills come alive. It's the natural base for every marine excursion we run, and within easy reach of Gede, Malindi and the Arabuko Sokoke forest.

Watamu Marine National Park Robinson Island sandbank Mida Creek mangroves Boutique beach resorts
Malindi

Kilifi County, Coast

Malindi

Just twenty minutes from Watamu, Malindi has been a trading port since the 13th century — visited by Vasco da Gama, ruled in turn by Sultans and colonial powers, and today a vibrant blend of Swahili, Arab, Indian and Italian influence. Its old town, market and seafront pillar make for a rich half-day cultural walk, while the surrounding area is the gateway to the Sabaki River wetlands and inland safari routes.

Vasco da Gama Pillar Malindi Old Town & market Sabaki River estuary Marine National Park annex
Gede Ruins

Near Watamu, Coast

Gede Ruins

Hidden inside a pocket of indigenous forest between Watamu and Malindi, the Gede Ruins are among the best-preserved Swahili archaeological sites on the coast. Abandoned suddenly in the 17th century for reasons still debated by historians, the site's mosques, sunken palace and pillar tombs now share their canopy with troops of Sykes' and colobus monkeys, making it as much a nature walk as a history lesson.

12th–17th century Swahili ruins Colobus & Sykes' monkey troops Ancient baobab & fig canopy National Museums of Kenya site
Marafa Hell's Kitchen

Malindi hinterland, Coast

Marafa Hell's Kitchen

Known locally as Nyari — 'the place broken by itself' — this dramatic gorge sits about ninety minutes inland from Malindi, its cathedral-like sandstone formations shifting colour dramatically from dawn to dusk. Local Giriama guides share the legend of its formation as you walk the rim and, conditions permitting, descend into the gorge itself for a landscape unlike anywhere else on the coast.

Technicolour sandstone canyon Giriama legend & guided storytelling Sunset & sunrise photography Rim and gorge-floor walking trails
Tsavo East National Park

Coast / Ukambani border

Tsavo East National Park

Reachable in under three hours from Watamu, Tsavo East is a vast red-earth wilderness of lion, elephant, buffalo and giraffe framed by the Galana River and the Yatta Plateau — the world's longest lava flow. Its scale and accessibility make it the definitive answer for coastal travellers who still want a proper safari during a beach holiday.

Tsavo's red-dusted elephant herds Lion & buffalo along the Galana River Yatta Plateau lava flow Easy day-trip distance from the coast
Amboseli & Tsavo West

Southern Kenya safari circuit

Amboseli & Tsavo West

No image says 'Kenya' quite like an elephant herd moving across Amboseli's plains beneath the snow-capped dome of Mount Kilimanjaro. Combined with neighbouring Tsavo West's volcanic hills and the crystalline Mzima Springs, this pairing forms the backbone of our multi-day safari itineraries for guests ready to go beyond a single day in the bush.

Elephant herds beneath Mt Kilimanjaro Mzima Springs underwater hippo viewing Volcanic Chyulu Hills scenery Multi-day lodge safaris

Plan Your Route

Not Sure Which Destinations To Combine?

Tell us how many days you have and what excites you most — reef, ruins, canyon or savannah — and we'll map the ideal route.