To the south of the historic port of Mombasa stretches a long sliver of white sand, and AfroChic Diani Beach is ideally situated to make the most of its beauty and views. Here, at one of Kenya’s best lodges, turning pages or turning over to tan your back both count as activities.
Set on Kenya’s southern coast, the pretty Diani Beach sparkles in the sunlight. We leave two sets of footprints down the gentle incline of the beach, with the last of them effaced by the in-rolling waves. Out at sea, the only shapes breaking the horizon are the shard-like sails of dhows, plying the coast much as they’ve done for centuries. Diani has long provided the beach counterpart to the best Kenyan safaris, and – watching the warm, azure water lapping against the white sand – it’s easy to see why. Glancing away from the ocean, we look up toward the manicured lawns and roofs of AfroChic Diani Beach, noticing the interplay of light and shadow across them as the dappled sunshine slants through the fronds of the palm trees. After the thrill of being on safari in the Masai Mara, we’re looking forward to taking things down a gear or two so that we can head home both exhilarated and revived.
Set on Kenya’s southern coast, the pretty Diani Beach sparkles in the sunlight. We leave two sets of footprints down the gentle incline of the beach, with the last of them effaced by the in-rolling waves. Out at sea, the only shapes breaking the horizon are the shard-like sails of dhows, plying the coast much as they’ve done for centuries.
Diani has long provided the beach counterpart to the best Kenyan safaris, and – watching the warm, azure water lapping against the white sand – it’s easy to see why.
Glancing away from the ocean, we look up toward the manicured lawns and roofs of AfroChic Diani Beach, noticing the interplay of light and shadow across them as the dappled sunshine slants through the fronds of the palm trees.
After the thrill of being on safari in the Masai Mara, we’re looking forward to taking things down a gear or two so that we can head home both exhilarated and revived.
Our room actually faces the other direction, across the lush gardens of the lodge. It feels personal and welcoming, which matches exactly the feeling we get from every smiling staff member we meet during our stay. It’s only later that we discover the details of the room, as we’re so struck by its design and the way the lines of the mosquito net, with its red accents, lead our eyes up to the roof. I’m already imagining waking here tomorrow and gazing out across the lawns through the filmy nets as the sun rises. The more modern elements are artfully combined with the traditional style. My phone pings just the once (courtesy of the free Wi-Fi) before I switch it off for the duration, although I briefly consider attaching it to the docking station to play a few songs. That thought – like so many others from my day-to-day life – is gently blown away by the breeze, while the faint stirrings from just outside are the only sign that our wish for a private dinner at our room is already being fulfilled.
Our room actually faces the other direction, across the lush gardens of the lodge. It feels personal and welcoming, which matches exactly the feeling we get from every smiling staff member we meet during our stay. It’s only later that we discover the details of the room, as we’re so struck by its design and the way the lines of the mosquito net, with its red accents, lead our eyes up to the roof. I’m already imagining waking here tomorrow and gazing out across the lawns through the filmy nets as the sun rises.
The more modern elements are artfully combined with the traditional style. My phone pings just the once (courtesy of the free Wi-Fi) before I switch it off for the duration, although I briefly consider attaching it to the docking station to play a few songs. That thought – like so many others from my day-to-day life – is gently blown away by the breeze, while the faint stirrings from just outside are the only sign that our wish for a private dinner at our room is already being fulfilled.
With experiences carefully tailored around what we most want to do, we feel free to be ourselves here at AfroChic Diani Beach. This personalised approach is mirrored in the room designs – where each one has its own unique decor scheme – as well as in the fresh, daily menus. It’s clear that individuality is valued here. The lodge staff have clearly mastered that fine balance between being attentive and being discreet, and they seem to know what we’d like to eat, drink or do next almost before we do. Factor in the lodge’s proximity to the beach – literally within a seashell’s throw – and you have the makings of a perfect beach holiday.
With experiences carefully tailored around what we most want to do, we feel free to be ourselves here at AfroChic Diani Beach. This personalised approach is mirrored in the room designs – where each one has its own unique decor scheme – as well as in the fresh, daily menus. It’s clear that individuality is valued here.
The lodge staff have clearly mastered that fine balance between being attentive and being discreet, and they seem to know what we’d like to eat, drink or do next almost before we do. Factor in the lodge’s proximity to the beach – literally within a seashell’s throw – and you have the makings of a perfect beach holiday.
The beaches of Kenya’s south coast are at their very best from July to October – the long dry season. Calm, clear sea conditions are perfect for reef snorkelling and diving, and the lower temperatures in combination with cool coastal architecture make for balmy days and nights. Tourist numbers along the southern coast tend to peak in August, as you might expect, but choosing from our carefully curated selection of beach lodges will keep you far from the madding crowds. Combine beach time during these months with the Great Wildebeest Migration, which will be moving from the Serengeti’s Grumeti River to the Masai Mara.
The short dry season is also a wonderful time to while away a few days on the Kenyan coast. Crystal clear waters are perfect for encounters with giant, peaceful whale sharks (most frequently seen from January to March). February is typically the driest month, before temperatures begin to climb towards March in anticipation of the rains. Coinciding with one of the most iconic African wildlife experiences – the mass wildebeest calving in the southern Serengeti – this is an ideal season for combining safari and the Indian Ocean.
The mid-March to late May rains can be a more challenging time to visit the Kenyan coast, due to very high temperatures and humidity. It’s probably best to choose another time of year to experience these gorgeous beaches at their finest. The short rains in November, however, do not present the same difficulties – diving and snorkelling conditions are again exceptional. Almost any time that you visit, warm, clear equatorial ocean waters and blue skies will welcome you to Kenya’s coast. It’s just a matter of choosing the right beach lodge.
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Diverse landscapes and wildlife mean that Kenya’s best safari itineraries can easily include time spent amid a sea of migrating wildebeest and beneath the waves diving on coral reefs. While Kenya is best known for game viewing in the Masai Mara and Laikipia, the richness of the Kenya beaches makes…
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