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HomeUK TravelSuggestions for visiting Kenya with youngsters: household information to Kenya

Suggestions for visiting Kenya with youngsters: household information to Kenya


From my daughter’s first safari expertise to the beautiful Indian Ocean coast, our journey to Kenya immediately turned one in every of our most memorable household journey experiences – and one which took quite a lot of planning, as my ideas for visiting Kenya with youngsters present.

My daughter with her camera phone taking a photo of three elephants, including a baby, in the Mara Naboisho conservancy in Kenya - my tips for visiting Kenya with kids include advice on a family safari
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From figuring out the necessities to pack for a Kenya household vacation to figuring out an itinerary (particularly with a comparatively brief time to spend within the nation), the practicalities like visas and antimalarial tablets to squeezing within the enjoyable stuff, this isn’t a visit the place you’ll be able to simply seize your passport and go.

Not less than, I definitely wouldn’t have been blissful doing that! However each second of planning was price it: this actually is a superb nation for households – so when you’re dreaming of an escape to Africa, try my ideas for visiting Kenya with youngsters on this important information.

Earlier than you go

Whereas there’s nothing too sophisticated to type out relating to the important Kenya guidelines of paperwork, healthcare and cash, you do have to get planning slightly means prematurely.

Visa

You may’t get visas on arrival so ensure you apply for yours beforehand – I used to be advised it ought to take round 48 hours, however to permit round two weeks to be on the secure aspect. Ultimately, mine was accepted the identical day.

The easiest way to use is thru the official Kenya e-visa portal – simply join an account, add the assorted paperwork and photograph, pay and you’ll observe your utility on-line. A single entry visa for vacationers presently prices $51.

You’ll additionally want some proof of return flight and the lodge the place you’re staying, or a journey itinerary from a tour operator – your commonplace affirmation must be high quality. The applying course of is identical for each the UK and the US at current, in addition to most European international locations.

Kids below 16 from these international locations don’t have to have a visa (although you will want so as to add their particulars to your utility).

Be sure to print the visa out to indicate at flight check-in and on arrival in Kenya.

Vaccinations/Malaria

Test an official website like FitForTravel for the newest info on vaccinations required, however in addition to the same old course really useful for all times within the UK, you’re suggested to make sure your vaccinations for Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus are updated or organize a booster jab.

A yellow fever certificates isn’t wanted until you’re coming from a rustic the place it’s prevalent.

You’ll additionally want anti-malarial tablets when you’re visiting any a part of the nation exterior Nairobi (and its quick environment).

Throughout our go to, there was a alternative of three completely different antimalarials which had been appropriate, however all the time examine the newest recommendation. We are likely to take Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil) because it has the shortest course and infrequently fewer unwanted effects – though within the pursuits of full disclosure, I did have extra issues this time for some purpose.

Regardless of this, I strongly strongly suggest you do all the time take antimalarial tablets – malaria itself is considerably worse, and mosquito repellent/nets/lengthy sleeves alone usually are not sufficient

View of the beds in our room at Hemingways Watamu with their mosquito nets - taking precautions against malaria is essential while you're visiting Kenya with kids

One advice is to take the pill with a high-fat meal (or eg dairy merchandise) and do take them on the identical time every day.

There may be additionally a paediatric choice, with the dosage relying in your little one’s weight. If, like my daughter, your youngsters usually are not followers of tablets, it’s effectively price taking one thing to disguise the small pill.

We packed a small tub of Biscoff unfold (which has the benefit of utterly hiding the crushed tablets, in addition to tasting good!) – I additionally added a few teaspoons to crush the tablets up. These did get queried on the airport X-ray of 1 inner flight (though not for any of the others) so higher to maintain these in maintain baggage.

Cash

Bank cards are accepted in main resorts and vacationer areas, nevertheless it’s nonetheless effectively price having some money.

US {dollars} are additionally broadly accepted so it’s a good suggestion to carry some with you – there’s additionally an ATM to withdraw {dollars} at Jomo Kenyatta worldwide airport in Nairobi, though as they’re simple to get prematurely, you’ll be able to tick one factor off the record earlier than arrival.

It’s additionally a superb plan to have some Kenyan Shillings for throughout your journey. Whereas you may get these exterior Kenya, they’re not as simply out there and the change price isn’t all the time nice, so it’s easiest to select these up on arrival.

There’s an ATM on the airport in Nairobi the place you’ll be able to withdraw these earlier than exiting to baggage reclaim. Do examine the approximate change price beforehand and don’t attempt to do as I did after our lengthy flight, and blearily try to withdraw 200 shillings… which is round £1.50!

These are helpful for tipping, for purchasing meals at Wilson airport when you’re ready for inner flights, in addition to for choosing up souvenirs. You’re unlikely to want an enormous quantity although.

What to pack

Whereas quite a lot of your loved ones packing record will look the identical as for any scorching climate/seaside vacation, there are some things to keep in mind relating to your packing record for Kenya with youngsters.

Keep in mind too, that whilst you might need a beneficiant weight allowance for worldwide flights, you’ll most likely be restricted relating to any inner flights, in addition to needing soft-sided luggage or circumstances.

What colors to pack for Kenya?

Keep away from blue (and black) clothes on safari as this could entice tsetse flies – carrying insect repellent ought to preserve them at bay, however higher to not give these nasty bugs any added incentive to examine you out.

Vivid colors also can make you extra seen to the animals, so muted shades are higher – though having stated that, our information wore conventional Maasai patterns together with crimson and vibrant purple in addition to neutrals, so don’t really feel it’s important to change your total wardrobe. Khaki is all the time good although.

Our safari guide stands in the Naboisho Conservancy holding two giraffe leg bones which stretch up to his chin - my tips for visiting Kenya with kids, including clothes to pack and advice for a family safari

Pack heat garments for safari

It sounds counter-intuitive to pack one thing heat on your Kenya safari – given temperatures hit the mid to excessive 30s throughout our keep, we definitely weren’t chilly by lunchtime.

However it may be unexpectedly cool very first thing, and with our morning recreation drive beginning at round 6.30am – as for most individuals on a guided safari – a hoody and lengthy trousers got here in very helpful.

With open home windows in our Toyota Landcruiser, there was a breeze as we drove alongside too, which added an additional chill. Our information did have ponchos to borrow, nevertheless it’s greatest to carry your individual layers.

Test when you want rainwear

There are often two primary wet seasons throughout the yr in Kenya – the ‘brief rains’ for just a few weeks throughout November and December, then the ‘lengthy rains’ from April to early June (typically on the finish of March as effectively).

January and February might see occasional showers, though local weather change means the climate is tending to get drier relatively than wetter at current, and we solely had one 10-second bathe (fairly actually) throughout our week in Kenya in February.

Travelling throughout the peak of the wet season isn’t really useful however when you’re visiting firstly or finish of one of many wet intervals, it’s price packing accordingly with a light-weight raincoat that may be bundled up right into a bag.

Take closed toe sandals

Whenever you’re out within the bush, it’s additionally price taking closed-toe sandals, particularly for after darkish in case of any stinging bugs or scorpions.

Relying the place you keep, this is probably not important – for 2 days in our tented camp, the place we had been solely venturing to and from the restaurant after darkish, we managed high quality with out.

We love the vary of children sandals from Eager, which incorporates closed-toe choices. Not too scorching, they’re nonetheless protecting and really hard-wearing.

First support equipment & toiletries

I by no means journey with out a first support equipment, and that goes double when you’re planning a safari in Kenya with youngsters.

Whereas there will probably be necessities out there at tented camps, the choices for youngsters will probably be extra restricted – and when you uncover you want a dose of Calpol, it’s not as when you can nip to the closest pharmacy.

Take a look at my full household and little one first support equipment record of necessities to pack

In addition to the same old important medical provides, you’ll want high-strength insect repellent too.

I just like the Jungle Formulation vary which has a formidable selection, together with numerous most energy merchandise and roll-on choices (which I typically want to spray), in addition to the Slap It band for youths.

Not all of the vary is appropriate for all ages so do examine earlier than shopping for although. Nonetheless, the Boots Repel roll-on is ok for youngsters aged 2+ and can also be most energy – whereas my daughter was not a fan of placing it on, it did imply she averted getting many bites.

You’ll additionally want a high-strength SPF. I’m a giant fan of the Ultrasun vary and even within the excessive temperatures, together with numerous time within the water, my fair-skinned daughter didn’t burn.

The Ultrasun Youngsters SPF50 is my go-to product from the vary, however this 50ml SPF50 face safety was additionally nice for conserving in hand baggage (simply in case!).

Learn my full overview of the Ultrasun vary together with Ultrasun Youngsters SPF50 right here

Necessities for a safari in Kenya with youngsters

Whereas there’s nothing like seeing Africa’s superb animals within the wild on safari, it does contain a good bit of driving round and infrequently some ready.

Our expertise exploring the Naboisho Conservancy within the Masai Mara was fabulous as there appeared to be one thing to see round each nook, nevertheless it nonetheless pays to have just a few necessities to maintain youngsters engaged,

Firstly, binoculars: nonetheless good your digicam, there’s nothing like an amazing pair of binoculars – we had been really useful 10 x 40 energy (minimal), and this pair of bird-watching binoculars had been good.

My daughter with her camera phone taking a photo of hippos in the river in the Mara Naboisho conservancy in Kenya - my tips for visiting Kenya with kids include advice on a family safari

Not too heavy – each for my daughter to maintain them round her neck, but in addition for weight restrictions on inner flights – they arrive in their very own little case, and gained’t break the financial institution.

We additionally packed this nice East Africa animal recognizing chart – not solely did it preserve her entertained crossing off all of the species we noticed, it was nice for studying a bit extra concerning the animals that are present in east Africa. Plus a pleasant little memento of our journey.

Do additionally pack a good digicam in case you have one – cellphone cameras are superb lately, however you don’t get the type of zoom you’ll want quite a lot of the time on safari.

For those who’ve received a DSLR gathering mud, as I had, hunt it out and ensure you have a spare reminiscence card and battery, or take into account packing your charger in case your camp has electrical energy. When you’ve got a superb zoom lens, a lot the higher.

It’s additionally price packing your youngsters’ cameras if they’ve one. The standard won’t be superb, however kids will love with the ability to snap away as effectively.

Add in a torch – a headtorch is right to maintain your arms free when you’re strolling round camp after darkish, or making an attempt to learn whereas youngsters sleep – in addition to a energy financial institution to maintain all of the units charged.

Not all camps may have electrical energy within the tents (although ours had numerous sockets, electricty and WiFi) and also you don’t need your digicam cellphone operating out of battery simply as a lion seems! I additionally take a 3-port USB plug charger so if there’s a socket, you’ll be able to cost every thing in a single go.

Keep in mind that when you’re taking inner flights, the small planes often have a 15kg per particular person weight allowance (together with hand baggage) and it’s important to take a mushy sided case or bag. The FlyMax vary has expandable variations which aren’t too heavy.

Different packing necessities for Kenya with youngsters

Convey a reusable bottle for water – firstly, it is advisable to be sure that everyone seems to be consuming sufficient to stave off dehydration (though don’t drink the faucet water).

Kenya has banned single-use plastic luggage, however with plastic air pollution changing into an rising downside world extensive, it’s good to keep away from including to the plastic bottle waste the place you’ll be able to.

Numerous resorts are switching to glass, which is nice however not so good to hold round so having your individual is way simpler. I just like the Chilly’s vary because it helps it keep cool, isn’t too heavy and my elephant print bottle fitted proper in!

For those who’re planning to go to the coast and do some snorkelling – and there are nice choices for youths there – it’s additionally a superb plan to take your individual snorkel. My daughter makes use of the Subea Easybreath all-in-one snorkel and masks from Decathlon.

Most snorkelling boat excursions will present their very own however they’ll be grownup measurement solely (and also you gained’t get fins both).

Getting round Kenya with youngsters

Kenya is the world’s forty eighth largest nation by space – round 28 instances the dimensions of Wales or the state of New Jersey, so until you will have time to spare (and youngsters who’re pleased with lengthy drives), you’re prone to be taking some inner flights that can assist you get round.

Nonetheless when you begin your journey in Nairobi, as we did, you’ll want a method to get across the metropolis to discover first. Nairobi visitors positively isn’t one thing you need to try until you’re accustomed to it, so the most suitable choice is to organize a driver – your lodge can usually advise when you don’t have one other advice.

It’s simple to prebook an airport switch prematurely too

There are additionally self-drive choices for a household safari however with restricted time, we discovered that visiting with an skilled safari information was a lot better.

For starters, all of the guides will discuss to one another to seek out the newest and greatest sightings so that you’re not driving round questioning the place every thing is, they know tips on how to keep secure, they usually know what to anticipate from the animals – I do know we wouldn’t have noticed our leopard with out our information.

Whereas some areas may have tracks to drive on, some want correct off-road autos as effectively. Not all nationwide parks and conservancies will will let you self-drive, and people which do may have limits on the period of time you’ll be able to spend inside – scroll right down to learn the remainder of my tips about a safari in Kenya with youngsters.

There are a number of corporations providing inner flights in Kenya, together with the memorably named Jambojet, in addition to Safari Hyperlink who we used for our flights. These linked Wilson Airport in Nairobi to the assorted camps within the Mara, in addition to right down to the coast at Malindi and Diani.

One of the small Cessna planes used by Safarilink on the earth of the airstrip in the Naboisho Conservancy - the airline's internal flights are one of the easiest ways to get around for your holiday in Kenya with kids

For the shorter routes across the Mara, anticipate them to be fairly small – superb for hopping between the small airstrips, however typically bumpy and noisy so nervous fliers should be conscious.

Don’t essentially anticipate them to run to time or timetable – our 11am flight stopping at numerous different Mara camps earlier than heading to Nairobi ended up arriving over Half-hour late and going direct. A hakuna matata angle is certainly a superb strategy!

The tip consequence was just about the identical, nevertheless it’s a good suggestion to not e book a brief connection – although the Safarilink space at Wilson airport may be very compact.

Be able to level out your maintain baggage as you board too, so there’s little probability of it going astray as you actually watch it being loaded and unloaded. Your luggage should be mushy sided and each your maintain and hand baggage will probably be weighed so don’t exceed the 15kg per particular person most.

How you can plan your Kenya itinerary

From bucket record occasions just like the Nice Migration to recreation reserves galore, the possibility to find Kenyan tradition and calm down by the Indian Ocean, you gained’t be wanting concepts to fill a household vacation in Kenya.

However when you’re wanting time, you’ll be able to pack a shocking quantity into per week’s keep. We had round 8 days in complete, together with flying time, for our February half-term escape and managed to slot in a quick cease in Nairobi, 48 hours on safari and time on the coast in Watamu.

I’d have very fortunately have spent longer, particularly with just a few extra days on the coast on the finish, or including in among the wildlife of northern Kenya if I had had extra time. Don’t rule it out when you’re on the lookout for per week’s winter solar although.

For extra inspiration on issues to do in Kenya with youngsters, try the Lonely Planet Information to Kenya

Nairobi

For those who’re flying internationally, you’ll begin your journey in Nairobi, so whilst you might jet straight out once more, it’s effectively price having a day in Nairobi to begin the journey.

Keep in mind that visitors in Nairobi can typically be unhealthy, though a brand new Expressway is easing the jams, so don’t attempt to pack an excessive amount of in when you’re restricted on time.

Travelling from the UK there are in a single day flights which get you to Nairobi very first thing within the morning, so it’s good to have the choice of a fast nap and at the least a day to discover earlier than shifting on the next day.

Different worldwide flights (equivalent to ours with Kenya Airways) land early night, with simply sufficient meal time and mattress. When you might fly straight out the following morning, there’s loads to see within the capital – it’s the one metropolis on the planet with a nationwide park on its doorstep, for starters.

You may take a guided tour of the nationwide park, if you would like a style of safari with out a further cease (or the price). A non-public tour of Nairobi Nationwide Park will also be a superb choice when you’re visiting Kenya with youngsters, as there’s extra flexibility than with a bigger group.

When you’ve got longer to spend, there are additionally day excursions from Nairobi to Nakuru Nationwide Park and the hippos of Lake Naivasha

A Rothschild giraffe looks at the camera, with two more seen behind, at the Giraffe Centre where you can hand feed the animals - my tips for visiting Kenya with kids, including planning your Kenya family holiday itinerary

Or head to the Giraffe Centre the place yow will discover endangered Rothschild giraffes and study extra about these stunning creatures, in addition to attending to feed them. The Centre additionally has a brief nature stroll path.

Or meet elephants on the Sheldrick Wildlife Centre – guests are solely allowed between 11am and 12 midday so it does get booked up in a short time, particularly throughout holidays. Be sure to e book early!

You can even get skip-the-line excursions which go to each the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Centre, together with transport

There was once an choice to go to later within the day when you sponsored an elephant (and an opportunity to fulfill the one you’d sponsored on the identical time) however this selection has now been stopped.

For those who fancy selecting up some souvenirs, there’s a string of outlets close to the 2 animal points of interest at Langata Hyperlink. Or head over to the Nairobi Nationwide Museum and close by Nairobi Snake Park, to study some extra concerning the nation’s historical past and tradition (in addition to its reptiles!)

Save a while to calm down too. Selecting a lodge with a pool is an efficient choice to ease your self in gently, and a superb choice to finish a primary day after some exploring.

It’s price understanding that lodge swimming pools in Kenya shut at 6pm (and that is often enforced), plus they are typically unheated. With the solar on them, that’s not an issue, however it’s possible you’ll need to take into account packing brief wetsuits for youthful ones.

Safari

One of many greatest attracts of a vacation in Kenya with youngsters, a safari is completely unmissable in case you have the chance.

Whereas it’s hardly ever an affordable choice, there’s nothing like attending to see the nation’s wildlife within the wild – our safari expertise within the Naboisho Conservancy was unforgettable, and seeing the animals with my daughter was much more particular.

Whenever you’re planning a safari in Kenya with youngsters, do keep in mind not all camps will permit youthful kids so examine for a minimal age. You do additionally want to make sure your youngsters are going to have sufficient endurance when you’re driving round on the lookout for among the animals, that they’ll keep quiet as required.

One of the vehicles used for the guided safari drives in the Naboisho conservancy, stopped next to a lioness under a tree - my tips for visiting Kenya with kids include advice on choosing guided or self-drive safari

A camp with a pool is right too – there are early begins every day earlier than it will get very popular, so factoring in a little bit of time to chill off after the primary recreation drive of the day (and a nap or downtime after lunch) is an efficient plan.

Enable a few days on your safari if potential – that means, when you aren’t fortunate sufficient to identify one thing on the primary day, you’ve received one other probability. Don’t try to pack every thing right into a day: it’s too scorching to maintain driving for hours on finish (even when your youngsters might stand it) and the animals may have sought out the shade too so there’ll be much less to see anyway.

When you might spend longer than two or three days, it’s not the most cost effective a part of the journey, and after a few days you most likely desire a bit extra of a calming time.

Learn on for extra of my high tips on a safari in Kenya with youngsters

The Kenya coast

End your Kenya household vacation by the coast with a while to calm down and wind down – when you’re doing a comparatively brief journey, you’ll be greater than prepared for a break after an extended flight + safari.

You can do it the opposite means spherical and head to the coast earlier than the safari, nevertheless it is smart to finish your journey by the seaside on a relaxed observe.

The 2 primary vacationer areas in Kenya are Watamu on the northern stretch of coast and Diani within the south.

Diani Seaside has its personal airport at Ukunda, and you’ll take inner flights from Nairobi, in any other case it’s round a 90-minute journey from Mombasa.

View past palm trees to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and Watamu Beach with little boats moored in the distance - my tips for visiting Kenya with kids, including planning your itinerary and the best of the marine national parks

Watamu is a few hours from Mombasa however you may as well fly to Malindi airport, as we did, which is round 20-Half-hour away.

Each areas are residence to nationwide marine reserves, in addition to turtle sanctuaries which assist to guard the native marine life and educate each vacationers and locals too.

You can even spot dolphins at each: Diani is residence to bottlenose dolphins, whereas Watamu has each bottlenose and the uncommon humpback dolphins by the coast. There are additionally spinner dolphins in Kenya however you’re unlikely to see these nearer to shore on one of many brief boat journeys on supply.

Suggestions for a safari in Kenya with youngsters

It doesn’t matter how previous you’re, seeing a household of lion cubs taking part in collectively or a leopard in a tree with its kill is the type of expertise you always remember – to not point out the array of different animals you’ll be able to spot on a safari in Kenya with youngsters.

To get essentially the most out of your safari expertise, particularly as that is often the priciest a part of the journey, it pays to plan prematurely although.

Take a look at my packing ideas above for the necessities to pack for a safari in Kenya with youngsters, together with binoculars, digicam and animals recognizing record amongst different gadgets

The primary query to think about is whether or not your youngsters are sufficiently old. You completely can do safaris with youthful youngsters, as fellow household journey bloggers Travelynn Household and Twins and Travels have proved nevertheless it’s price contemplating whether or not a safari in Kenya with youngsters is greatest for your loved ones, or self-drive elsewhere.

Some parks may have minimal age necessities for guided drives as effectively – the guides themselves are incredible with youngsters, and having an knowledgeable readily available can rework the entire expertise. Keep in mind completely different areas may even have completely different charges to pay, included in lodging at some camps.

It’s additionally price contemplating your individual kids’s personalities. Whereas we noticed a string of animals throughout our safari, there are all the time moments if you’re driving round with out a lot success or ready for a giant cat to emerge – will they’ve the endurance to do that (or do you merely want one thing to maintain them entertained whilst you do?)

Will they have the ability to keep quiet if wanted – particularly across the lions. Whereas the massive cats principally ignore the safari autos as random steel bins, kids are simply the proper measurement to be thought of prey and the upper pitch of their voices appears to place the lions on alert (though we had greater than 15 sightings and didn’t get something past a tough stare from one lioness).

My daughter with her camera phone taking a photo of three elephants, including a baby, in the Mara Naboisho conservancy in Kenya - my tips for visiting Kenya with kids include advice on a family safari

My 10-year-old was good at curbing her pleasure when she wanted to, however you don’t need to be always hushing chatty youngsters. We did see different teams on the guided recreation drives with kids youthful than my daughter too so it’s positively an choice.

Anticipate to go off-road at instances too – we discovered the seats in direction of the entrance had been greatest as my daughter might brace her legs to assist with the jolting.

And with early morning and late afternoon drives, the times can really feel lengthy for youthful youngsters (although there’s loads of time for a nap in between). For those who go to a nationwide park, it’s possible you’ll effectively want to depart by 6.30pm as nightfall falls too, whereas non-public recreation reserves just like the Naboisho Conservancy will let you be extra versatile.

In our case, this meant we might grasp round ready for a leopard to emerge from the undergrowth and benefit from the astonishing sight of it climb its tree to benefit from the stays of its kill – because it was on the far finish of the conservancy from our camp, it did imply we weren’t again for dinner till round 8pm.

Aged 10, my daughter had no downside with this however youthful ones may wrestle (or at the least take into account making back-up plans).

Until you’ve picked a self-drive choice, meals is usually included in your safari for sensible causes – camps will often work with you to type one thing with youngsters will get pleasure from however there’s clearly a restrict to how versatile they are often. Communicate to them about any dietary restrictions or what they’ll do for choosy eaters beforehand.

In addition to the sport drives, you might need the choice to go to a Maasai village in addition to extras together with a scorching air balloon flight over the Maasai Mara – these often have a minimal age restriction although and contain a really early begin.

Suggestions for the Kenya coast

Set on the Indian Ocean, with marine reserves alongside components of its size, there’s no higher method to finish a visit to Kenya with youngsters than stress-free by the seaside.

Take a look at my packing ideas above for the necessities to pack for a vacation in Kenya with youngsters, together with little one snorkels

It’s simple to veg out by the pool or on the seaside itself, however save a while to find among the highlights of the Kenyan coast too.

At Watamu, the place we stayed, there are numerous alternative ways you’ll be able to uncover the marine nationwide park. Native tour operators work with the resorts to run household pleasant boat journeys, together with dolphin-spotting and snorkelling, in addition to the choice to e book sundown dhow cruises.

It’s price understanding that the present may be fairly sturdy on the primary reef and there are many small boats stopping right here. It’s greatest to decide on an early begin when you can: our journey was attributable to set off at 8.30am, and whereas we didn’t get underway till 9am, it nonetheless meant we had been among the many first on the reef, even after heading out to identify dolphins first.

You do get a lifevest so youngsters don’t should be the strongest swimmers, nevertheless it’s greatest in the event that they’re comfy within the water – and a superb plan to maintain maintain of youthful ones to make sure they’re not pulled off by the present or getting too near boats.

The best choice is to begin by swimming in opposition to the present away from the boats, then you’ll be able to let it carry you again over the reef when you’ve completed.

You can even snorkel proper off the seaside at Watamu at excessive tide too: we noticed bluespotted ribbontail rays and a lionfish in addition to numerous reef fish darting by the shallow water.

At low tide, you’ll be able to see loads extra within the rocks swimming pools – we ran into one of many guys operating our boat journey who led us round declaring creatures we’d in any other case have missed, together with a puffer fish, sea urchins, seastar, a complete household of moray eels and even an octopus. Convey some shillings with you to tip!

The powder white sand and clear water is more and more in danger although, so it’s effectively price tearing your self away from the seaside to go to among the native initiatives defending native marine life and serving to sort out plastic air pollution.

We headed to Turtle Watch Watamu (there’s an analogous initiative in Diani too), the place guests – each vacationers and locals – can study extra concerning the marine habitat and threats to it.

There are sometimes rescued turtles within the sanctuary as effectively, being handled earlier than being re-released – fortunately there have been none throughout our go to, though the sanctuary is blissful to contact guests to re-visit if that modifications throughout your keep.

And EcoWorld Watamu is one other incredible initiative which is effectively price supporting. After beginning out with a easy seaside clear, it’s grown to supply jobs for the local people coping with among the space’s plastic air pollution, in addition to tasks serving to locals flip their trash into money.

However that’s solely the beginning. In addition to academic programmes at school, there are some inventive new approaches to the issue of plastic waste, together with recycling it into bricks which can be utilized to construct a home in two days.

Whereas the towering heaps of plastic are a stark reminder of the size of the difficulty, it’s a extremely inspirational place and an effective way to get youngsters engaged.

Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. My journey to Kenya was courtesy of the Hemingways Assortment and Far and Wild Journey (although I paid for some flights myself) – all opinions stay my very own.

Photos copyright MummyTravels

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