Kongo mosque and river

Kongo mosque is situated in Diani beach and lies next to the Indian ocean. It was used by the early Arab merchants for prayers as they toured the east coast. Today the renovated ruins has been turned into a historic site and the local Muslims offer prayers here as well. And now the well kept compound is home for huge baobab trees, some are as old as 300years.
The Kongo river neighbors the mosque from the northern end. As it meanders into the ocean, a big permanent sand bank forms. Here both local and foreign tourists enjoy sun-bathing and swimming by the source of this river. Sailing through the mangrove trees on canoes on the Kongo is so amazing. Mostly people wait to witness the sweet sight of the sun-downer over Boabab and coconut trees.
Unlike other areas of the beach, you'll enjoy your peace with the few beach boys around Kongo mosque since there isn't a resort hotel near here.
You can easily walk over the waters to cross to Tiwi beach on the other side of the river. You don't risk walking alone to all the way to Twiga lodge in Tiwi because of security purposes.

2days Tsavo East

This was not an ordinary adventure as I arranged to give a treat to my old friend, Elijah, who desired to accompany his boss and two guests. We were headed to Epiya Chapeyi camp.
The game-drive began from Bachuma gate and we saw lots of red elephants,impala and gazelles. We were lucky to see the beautiful gerenuks, kongoni, and warthogs grazing from a distant.Seeing the wilderness, the beautiful landscapes, the beasts and driving over the rocks, all give me an unusual feeling of excitement.
We arrived at the camp in time for lunch. Wow!this is the place to experience the jungle. Thick wild palms, short scattered bushes and Galana river on the far end surrounds the magical camp. The staff are so welcoming and food above your exception from the bush.
We went to the Lugard falls for a long photo session. From the Crocodile view-point we spotted a few hippos and crocos down the river. Herds of elephants, lesser kudus and impala, dick dicks, giraffes, zebras and a jackal attracted the attention of the first-time guests all along. I steered to the Vast Galana river-banks where we all enjoyed the cool sands by the wild palms through sundowner. We jumped back into the van in time before the inhabitants' of the jungle arrived, back to the camp.
It was so much fun chatting over drinks from the open lounge overlooking the river, under the wild palms planning for the following day. Hippos had to wait till later when everybody had left...The tents are just so wonderful and comfortable.
After breakfast we got ready for game-drive en-route. Scarcely had I shifted from gear one, than...stop! stop!! a lion!! The guests had spotted a lion crossing the road. I reversed the van but weren't so lucky but managed to capture some shots of the cat. We drove towards Voi-gate via Galdesa and saw many more elephants, water bucks, lesser kudus and antelopes. We checked out of the park some minutes to 11:00am and drove back towards Mombasa.
Stopped at Engwata for coffee. The guests dropped at the municipal market, Mombasa for a brief shopping of spices and clothing materials. Happy ladies shook my hands thankfully as we brought them back to their hotel. It was a great safari.
Can't wait to go back for another experience!!

Dolphin Safari

My guests and I woke up early to a quick breakfast in readiness for the Dolphin safari. The van picked us from our gate at 07:45am to arrive in Shimoni at 09:15am. We gathered with other groups at the K.W.S offices for tickets to the marine park. Then we proceeded to the jetty where many dhows wait.
Kausar was the name of our dhow and on board were four crew members and twenty passengers. The cruise takes about an hour to Mpunguti marine park but we keep stopping in search of dolphins. Lucky we! lots of families through the voyage. We arrived some minutes past 11:00am.
Dhows and people on various activities spread all over the place. Time to change into swim suits and get wet. The protected marine area is so beautiful with corals and swimming with dolphins and other fishes. We had fun walking and relaxing on the white sand buck for about one hour. We headed back for lunch on Wasini island. Lovely Swahili sea food: fish, chapati, coconut sauce, sea weed and cassava.
We were so full to walk through the village and the coral garden and so opted to getting back to Shimoni mainland. The van was waiting to drive us back to Diani by 04:10pm. Well spent-Sunday!!
Hey! Chew a piece of ginger if you fear getting sea-sick, could help.

Avoid the Rush

December is the peak of the season as most learning institutions are closed and most Europeans escaping from their cold weathers. Rates of accommodation, safari, excursions, food supply and means of transport shoot as high as three to four times more due to the demands brought about by numerous local and foreign holiday makers. Shopping malls are always very crowded. So preferably it could be okay to travel here during other months of the year.