Kilifi Travel Guide

Location

The town of Kilifi is located on Kenya’s east coast, just north of Mombasa. Kilifi Creek, the Goshi River estuary, and magnificent beaches make this destination one to consider when visiting Kenya. Watamu Marine National Park is located nearby with Mombasa Airport a two-hour ride away.

Size

Kilifi covers an area of approximately 4,730 sq miles in size.

History

With the success of cashew nut milling in the late 20th century Kilifi made its mark on East Africa’s map, continuing to produce cashews to this day. Joining of Kilifi and Malindi Districts resulted in the formation of the Kilifi County in 2010. There is a rich history of both Swahili culture and Islamic traditions due to the region’s many Swahili-Arab descendants. Arabic and Swahili are spoken.

How to get there

By Road

Driving from Nairobi will be a journey of just under nine hours and not really recommended. Most visitors will fly into Mombasa or Ukunda airports and transfer from there by road to the Kilifi area, a journey of around two hours.

By Air

Flying into Mombasa Airport from other parts of Kenya, other East African destinations, or via Dar es Salaam from an international destination is the best way to get to the Kilifi area. The transfer from Mombasa Airport is around two hours while from Ukunda Airport, an airport typically used for connecting to safari destinations, will take approximately three hours.

Best time to visit

Weather & Climate

The weather is warm and inviting between the months of June and November and dry enough to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Kilifi region. The rain falls for a short time late December into early February with the longer rains falling in April and May.

Avoiding Crowds

Visitors should consider traveling to Kilifi around late May or around January and early February to enjoy the wonders of the area, but to avoid the crowds. Availability is better and the beaches are not as crowded as they are between June and late September.

Value for Money

There is a variety of accommodations available in Kilifi, from backpacker options to modest hotels and family-friendly resorts. As Kilifi is a little further away from the popular beach destination of Diani, there is a variety of accommodation options in the area that would fit a modest budget.

Marine life and topography

Popular Marine Life Sightings

With a rich sea life comprising a colorful array of fish, exploring the waters off the shores of Kilifi is a perfect way to spend the day. Visitors have a chance of spotting parrotfish and zebrafish as well as many turtles at play.

The Aquatic & Surrounding Landscape

Natural coral reefs provide homes to the vibrant marine life present in the waters off the shores of Kilifi beaches with a little support from locals. An initiative was started to provide ‘homes for fish’ with small structures to support the precious marine life. The beaches are long, white and sandy.

Nearby, one can visit the forested area of Arabuko-Sokoke, adding a contrast in color and terrain to the beautiful beaches.

Adventure In The Wild Safaris invites you to explore Kilifi’s spectacular coast, rich culture, and vibrant marine life.