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Maasai Mara is colder than the Tsavo parks and Amboseli. In the morning it gets sometimes under 10 °C and safari vehicles are usually open. From 9AM it will be warm and a T-shirt and shorts are sufficient. Therefore, the "onion look" is recommended, e.g. Zip-off pants, T-shirt and fleece jacket, a "multi functional scarf" (as a hair band with hair blowing in open jeep, as cap in the morning for cold, as scarf for draught in the car or because of the air conditioning, as sun protection for the head) and possibly a hat and gloves for sensitive people. It is also important to carry sunscreen, sunglasses, mosquito repellents and enough batteries, because electricity is turned off often overnight in the lodges leaving no chance to charge rechargeable batteries. Light shoes or flip-flops (to step the seats) are sufficient as you will leave the car if at all only shortly during the tour. At night in the camp, a fleece jacket is comfortable and jogging suit. In Tsavo and Amboseli short clothing plus windbreaker, multi functional scarf, mosquito repellent and sunscreen sunglasses and spare batteries are enough. In the evening if you want to stay outside a little longer then a jogging suit and maybe a windbreaker
A re-adaptation center and orphanage for Angolan colobus in the Kwale County. If you want to see one of the six primates species in South Coast Kenya visit the colobus trust for an informative walk to spot one of the many wild primates. There are opportunities for volunteering.
This is a special forest which can only be visited with a guide. It is better to phone ahead to confirm there is one, especially if you want to go early while it is still cool. Allow 2 hours for a full tour. Better if you don't have mobility problems. It's very safe and quite different from the beach attractions. It's a place rich in cultural heritage as well as sacred ambience. One has to tie a black kanga as a sign of respect to the spirits residing in the holy forest. Through the nature trail one gets to learn of different plants and a cleared area shows the residence of the ancestors. You can make wishes while hugging a tree that's sacred. After that long walk you can enjoy a cultural dance.
Entrance is directly between "Spice Bar" and "Asin's Hotel" on the beach road near Southern Palms beach resort. The cave system runs from the entrance to the sea at Leisure Lodge in one direction and to the mosque by Kongo river and possibly even to Tiwi in the other. The cave system is being developed as of 2017.
The Slave Caves are in Shimoni, the start and finish point for trips to Wasini Island. In these coral rock caves slaves were captured before they were sold in Zanzibar. A sad and yet interesting place, now inhabited by bats. The caves are now run as a community project. Short guided tours are offered (Ksh 400).
Just before reaching Shimoni, near Fikirini village, there are the three Fikirini caves or “Three Sister’s Caves”, one of them quite big with thousands of flying foxes and bats. These enormous underground caverns once served as a hiding spot during the time of the slave trade. Reachable by guided tours and definitely worth a visit if you like caves.
Shimba Hills National Reserve is one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa. This reserve is rich in flora and fauna. Sometimes it's difficult to see the animals as they hide in the forest. Other animal species found in the area are Sable antelope, elephant shrew, bushy tailed mongoose and other small mammals like fruit bats. The forest is an important bird area and is endowed with forest birdlife. The scenic Sheldrick Falls and the dense Mwaluganje Forest are also found here along with four campsites. All hotels will help to organize the trip. The park is 40 km from Diani Beach. Entrance fee: Ksh 2200, transport by taxi about Ksh 6000 both ways from Diani Beach. Booked travel about Ksh 10,000 including lunch at park. It is worth spending few days in one of the hotels at the edge of the park. They offer a marvelous panoramic view across the Shimba Hills, the Mwaluganje Elefant Sanctuary and the river valley (Kutazama, Shimba Green Lodge, Mahindri Lodge).