KENYA HOLIDAYS

Kenya Holidays at Bofa Beach Kilifi

Image: The Fishing is fantastic at Kilifi

FIRST CHOICE FOR EXCLUSIVE BEACHFRONT HOLIDAY RENTALS . ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON THE KENYA COAST. KENYA'S BEST KEPT SECRET AMAZING VALUE !!

Image: Kilifi Dhow Sails Across Kilifi Creek

Latitude : -3° 38' 00''
Longitude : 39° 51' 00''

KILIFI - A TYPICAL SWAHILI COASTAL TOWN

Image: Kilifi Township

Image: The fun of it all

SET amidst a backdrop of what many have said is the most stunning, pristine white sandy beach in Kenya, a startlingly beautiful blue and emerald creek and a magnificent coral reef, Kilifi is an ancient coastal Swahili town, midway between Mombasa and Malindi on the North Side of the creek,about 58 kms from Mombasa International Airport. It is steeped in history and African Culture, famous for the ancient Mnarani ruins dating back to 14th century and the elegant friendly Giriama people. It is truly a 'hidden gem' on the whole Kenya Coast where people 'in the know' holiday year after year.

Kilifi District covers an area of over 12,464 sq. km including 109 sq.km of water surface in the Indian Ocean. The area around Kilifi township occupies some of the best farming land in the district, where livestock rearing, cashew nut farms and tropical fruit growing are the dominant activities. Other industries include fishing, rug weaving and handicrafts. Just to the south of Kilifi around Vipingo are large sisal plantations and hidden away in beautifully laid out tropical gardens, facing the beach and the warm blue sea, you will find a number of lovely beach properties available as holiday rentals.

Kilifi is also the major centre for clinical and epidemiological research into Malaria, conducted by the Wellcome Trust and KEMRI the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

The soft white sandy palm fringed North beach at Kilifi, is a haven for sun worshipers and stretches for miles. Known as 'Bofa Beach',it is said to be the finest beach along the Kenya Coast and one of the most idyllic in all the world. It is protected by a magnificent coral reef, unspoilt and practically deserted; being well away from the beach touts and crowded beaches that front the tourist hotels near Mombasa and along the South Coast.

Some of the most beautiful beachfront Villas and Houses in Kenya are located 3-4kms North of Kilifi along Bofa Beach. Many of these exotic properties are rented out to visitors from overseas and up country on short and long term lets. The Kilifi Bay Beach Resort is a small friendly hotel on Bofa Beach that regularly receives good reports for its hospitality, comfort and service.

World Class Big Game Fishing, Snorkelling and Scuba Diving along the vast coral reef as well as Water-skiing and Windsurfing in Kilifi Creek, are some of the major activities that Kilifi is well known for.

Experienced scuba divers will enjoy the dive into the Vuma Caves at Kilifi Creek. The caves are about 20 metres under the sea close to the cliffs. Inside the caves lurk some huge Grouper fish, Eels and Barracuda. Occasionally Dolphins can be seen playing in the open sea close to the caves.

VIPINGO GOLF.
Just to the south of Kilifi is the delightful town of Vipingo with its superb beach and reef known as the Kirawitu Marine Park.
A New development is taking place in Vipingo consisting of a 5* Residential Golf Resort with two 18 hole par 72 Golf Courses.

Image: View along Bofa Beach Road

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LOCAL SHOPPING
Shopping Facilities at Kilifi include a Supermarket, Fresh meat and fish, Banks, Post Office, General Stores (duka's), Chemist, Local Craft Shops, Rugmaking, a Daily Fruit and Vegetable Market and a few excellent Restaurants in and around the area.

Nautical Views Around Kilifi.

Image: kilifi Dhow at Bofa Beach

Image: Fishing Boats and Yachts in Kilifi Creek

CHECK OUT THE FISHING NEWS HERE

Image: Yachts on Kilifi Creek

Image: Main Street Kilifi

THE ANCIENT RUINS OF MNARANI.
Overlooking Kilifi Creek from the Southern side, some 200 metres from the Mombasa Road, you will find the old ruins of Mnarani, an ancient coastal settlement dating back to the early 14th Century.

The site consists of two mosques and a group of tombs. The first mosque was not built until about 1425 although the area was first settled in the early 14th Century. The smaller second mosque that remains was built in about 1500, however, there was another mosque that was built before it on the same site around 1475. Mnarani was destroyed by the warring Galla people in the early 17th century. Also at the site of the ruins you will see the largest baobab tree on the Kenya coast. A large hole has been made in the side of the tree where local people leave offerings. Many people visit this peaceful site to meditate and to picnic.

Image: Dhows sailing on Kilifi Creek

One of the most delightful ways to see the beauty of Kilifi Creek is to take a dhow trip. The small Swahili kijahazi dhows criss cross the creek visiting the tiny bays and inlets and provide a wonderful vantage for photographing the rare and beautiful 'carmine bee eater' and a mass of other birdlife in the scenic surroundings. Regular 'sundowner' trips are a great favourite with the local residents and visitors to Kilifi.

Image: Enjoy a dhow trip on Kilifi Creek

Image: The Fabulous Unspoilt Bofa Beach at Kilifi.

FURTHER OUT AND ABOUT

MALINDI.
Guests travelling from Nairobi can also choose to fly into nearby Malindi, a bustling coastal town about 50kms to the North of Kilifi, with many good Hotels and Restaurants, various Shopping Malls and Craft Markets. Here you will find beautifully crafted kikois, kangas and kitenges as well as jewellery, pottery and woodcarvings.
Other facilities available along the North Coast include, Car Hire, Golf and Tennis at Malindi and Nyali near Mombasa and Dhow cruises at Kilifi for Lunch or a 'Sundowner'. For a real treat, enjoy a magical evening aboard the famous 'Tamarind Dhow - Dinner Cruise' from Nyali.

WATAMU AND GEDE.
Excursions to the Watamu Marine National Park, where you can see over 250 species of brilliantly coloured fish in the coral gardens, the 'Lost City of Gede' and the Kipepeo(Butterfly)Community Project; as well as the enchanting Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, famous for a number of endangered species, are all rewarding and delightful.

Further along the coast, north of Malindi, the mystic island of Lamu is unendingly fascinating and well worth the trip.

TSAVO GAME PARK
Visits to a Private Ranch adjacent to the vast Tsavo East Safari Game Park, with overnight accommodation for that real 'Out of Africa' experience, can also be arranged.

Image: Tsavo railway Station in the middle of Tsavo National Park

Image: Amboseli National Park near Mount Kilimanjaro

VISAS
You require a Passport and a Visa to enter Kenya.
Single Entry Visas cost £30 per person and can be obtained from the Kenya Embassy or High Commission, they can take about 15 days to process.
You can also obtain a Visa on entry, but that may mean a delay on arrival. More detailed information below.