TRAVEL AFRICA
Sacred Forest is one of 10 that make up the UNESCO-designated Mijikenda Kaya Forests. For centuries, the Digo people have protected it as a sacred site. Local guides show how trees are used for medicine, explain ancient traditions and share stories passed down through generations. It feels peaceful and spiritual – more like visiting a living temple than just taking a walk in nature.
Beach trader
Fancy something a bit different? Try a camel beach safari along Diani’ s coastline – yes, camels on sand! Early mornings or late afternoons are best, when the light is soft and the temperature is milder. You’ ll walk( or gently sway) along the shore, with the ocean on one side and palms swaying above, toes in the surf if you’ re brave.
The guides usually lead you along quieter parts of the beach, stopping for photos, stories and, perhaps, a sunset drink. It’ s not quite a wild safari, but it’ s poetic, peaceful and offers a beach day that stays with you long after you’ ve shaken off the sand. IB
Not far away, you can visit the Shimoni Slave Caves. The caves are dark and cool, but the stories told there are powerful. Guides explain how the East African and Indian Ocean slave trade once operated along this coast. It’ s a serious, moving visit; one that helps you understand the deep history behind Kenya’ s beautiful shoreline.
Kenya has banned single-use plastics in protected areas, including national parks, beaches, forests and conservation zones. In the Diani region, the Kwale Recycling Centre( KPPC) runs green stations that sort and upcycle waste. Local initiatives regularly remove kilograms of waste from the sand, and projects like Plastiki Rafiki’ s Diani workshop turn beach plastic into useful products.
NEED-TO-KNOW:
• Getting there: Fly from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Mombasa, usually via Nairobi. From Mombasa, it’ s about a 1 – 1.5-hour drive south to Diani, passing through a scenic route that includes the Likoni Ferry or the new Likoni Bridge, depending on traffic.
• Where: Kwale County, on Kenya’ s southern coast, approximately 30km south of Mombasa.
• Best months to visit: For calm seas and sunshine – December to March. For kitesurfing winds and cooler days – June to September.
• Who it suits: Ideal for couples seeking romance, solo travellers looking for a peaceful adventure, and families who enjoy combining beach time with nature. The area feels safe, relaxed, and easy to navigate.
• Wild side: Head inland to Shimba Hills for elephants, sable antelope, and the stunning Sheldrick Falls.
• Ocean triumphs: Active turtle conservation, coral rehabilitation projects, and world-class deep-sea fishing in the Pemba Channel.
90 INBOUND SA / DECEMBER 2025