The early morning drive takes us across the ferry to the South Coast and we proceed to the historical small fishing village of Shimoni driving via coastal settlements with views of palm trees, cashew nuts, mango trees, and rice paddies.

On arrival at the Shimoni village, we pay our marine park fees and board the motorized dhows for a cruise in the marine park and the surrounding Kisite, Mpunguti Islands.

We will snorkel and marvel at the rich marine life where corals, exotic fish and sea plants are protected. As we sail in the calm waters, we will be on the lookout for the resident dolphins that approach the dhow beckoning us to join them for a swimming duel.

At Wasini Island, we will disembark and take a discovery stroll through the Island and its pure Swahili culture, also visiting the giant coral garden and the adjacent mangrove swamp forest. Our guide will give us an in depth oration throughout the tour.

Later, we will settle down for an adventurous barbeque seafood lunch with local Swahili accompaniments. After a short reflective siesta, we board our dhows for the sea trip to the SHIMONI jetty. Time permitting; we visit the Shimoni caves where slaves were “stored” during the old slave trading days before shipment to the Zanzibar slave market.

We bid “Kwaheri” to the village folk and start the journey to our respective hotels with beautiful memories of one of the most scenic location in Mombasa.

2 Days & 1 Night Shimoni Gardens

DAY 1
One of the best excursions to Shimoni as it includes a tour of Shimba Hills National Reserve, the only place along the Kenyan coast where you come face-to-face with wild elephants.
Pick up from your hotel in the early morning hours and we drive to the South Coast along a smooth tarmac road. You arrive at Shimba Hills National Reserve and enjoy a game drive through the park. Take a walk and see the world famous Sheldrick's Falls right in the heart of Shimba Hills National Reserve.

We then proceed to Shimoni Gardens Resort for a sumptuous buffet lunch. After lunch, you visit the Shimoni caves. These caves were used by the Arabs as a holding pen, where slaves were held pending the arrival of the ship to take them on to Zanzibar. Reports of old rusted pieces of chain found in the cave, lend credence to this belief.

Spend the rest of day at leisure with dinner and overnight at the Shimoni Gardens Beach Resort.

DAY 2
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Shimoni Gardens Resort. After breakfast, take a dhow trip to Wasini & Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park. Kisite park covers 11 square kilometres while Mpunguti reserve covers 28 square kilometres. Marine life is abundant, including Trigger fish, Moray eel, Angelfish, Butterfly fish, and Dolphins. Humpback whales and Whale sharks are seasonal.

It is an area of stunning natural beauty made famous by the dolphins. Guests regularly swim with the resident dolphins during the dhow excursions.

At appx 1100 hrs, depart for your hotel to arrive in time for lunch.

This excursion is ideal for those staying in south coast or north coast hotels & other accommodation facilities.