Mombasa has always been the most important town on the East African coast for about 15 centuries. It’s location , climate and natural harbour made Mombasa a place where wars for control were fought between the Arabs, Portuguese and English.In 1593 when the Portuguese had taken Mombasa from the Arabs, King Philip II of Spain then ruler of the joint Pohttp://dianilife.comrtuguese and Spanish Kingdoms expressly ordered a Port to be built.

This port was the headquarter of Portuguese interests and was meant to guard the Old Port of Mombasa, Kenya from the Arabs. Interestingly, the port was built in the shape of a man.

The Portuguese were able to hold onto the port for 3 centuries during which they survived countless skirmishes with the Omani Arabs. As the Portuguese Empire weakened, Seif Bin Sultan Al-Yaruby led Oman land and naval forces to a 2 year siege of Fort Jesus in 1696. The port was eventually captured in 1698. The port changed hands many times after that until 1895 when the British turned it into a government prison.

In 1960 it was declared a national monument and has been restored and maintained by the National Museums of Kenya.

An excursion to Fort Jesus is a walk down the history of Kenya’s coastal region as the various influences of the European, Arab and African rulers who reigned are still visible. Take our guided tour with a well versed guide who will show you around and make your time at Fort Jesus a complete pleasure.

Fort Jesus is just a 40 minutes drive away from Diani and one can also decide to take an tour of Mombasa’s old town and walk through the narrow streets and experience smells, sounds and sights of a town built centuries ago.

Rates for this excursion are $ 60 – GPB 35 – EURO 50.

If you have plenty of time and a sense of adventure. Then take the longest route to Mombasa: the train aka lunatic express. The  Kenya Railway was built in the 1890’s and starts from Mombasa gently snaking its way upcountry to Uganda.

If in diani, you will be required to take a matatu or taxi to get to and from Mombasa.

The train ride is in itself an adventure as the train passes through game parks and uninhabited areas. It will take you through Kenyas savannah, swamps , scrubland, forests, townships, abandoned places,  valleys, hills and a dramatic rush of colour of reds, greys  and browns of Africa’s earth.

The rustic charm of the old coaches with leather and wood finishes are warm and welcoming. If you take a first class coach expect to find 2 small beds with pillows, a sink and a shared toilet. The Second class has four beds, a sink and a shared toilet. Meals (Dinner/ Breakfast) are inclusive as well as the bedings.

The train departs Nairobi three times a week – Monday’s, Wednesdays and Fridays and from Mombasa on Tuesdays,Thursdays and Sundays. The reporting time at the Nairobi or Mombasa train station is by 6.00 p.m. and the train departs at 7.00 p.m. and it is best to book one day in advance.

A first class ticket will cost $65 one way per person sharing and a second class ticket will cost $55 one way per person sharing .

Try the lunatic express!

If you cannot fly to Diani for whatever reason or have the time and patience then consider the most affordable way to travel, by bus. We are talking 500 km or an approximately 8 hour bus ride.

There are two kinds of buses that operate the Nairobi-Mombasa-Ukunda route. Those that run a direct service from Nairobi to Ukunda and those that terminate their journey at Mombasa.

For obvious reasons, the buses that terminate their journey at Ukunda are smaller shuttles that are cramped but cheaper. A one way ticket costs $10. The seats are close together, no air-conditioning and little leg room. If you don’t mind opening the windows for some when it gets too hohttp://dianilife.comt and a partly reclining seats then you can take one of these buses. After all, it’s $10 for a 500km ride.

The buses depart once a day from Nairobi at 9.00 pm and arrive at Ukunda 6.00 am and usually make 2 stops along the way at Voi and Mutito Andei. On the other hand, departures from Ukunda to Nairobi are an hour earlier-8.00 pm due to the Likoni ferry crossing.

These buses leave thrice daily with departures from Nairobi and Mombasa at 8.30am , 12.30 pm and 9.00 pm with one stop over at Mtito Andei. If you would love to see the Kenyan countryside and even spot some wild animals in the parks then take the morning/noon bus. If not, adjust your footrest, recline your seat and sleep the 8 hrs away in the night bus.

Diani is a small resort town on the South Coast of Kenya. It is located about 35km South of Kenya’s 2nd biggest city Mombasa. Diani lies along one of the finest beaches in the world – Diani Beach. Diani Beach is an 11 km stretch of pristine white sand ringed by gently swaying palm trees.

The beach is well sheltered by a coral reef that breaks the strong ocean waves. Visitors have a great opportunity to swim in the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean or lie down on the sugar white sand to soak up some sun.

Diani Beach’s serenity offers an idyll getaway for those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle.
In addition, the wonderful beach and the warm Indian ocean put up plenty of recreations for the water lovers. Mini-sailing, deep-sea fishing, beach volleyball, wind surfing ,scuba diving , kite surfing, snorkelling, and boat trips are some of the activities to try out.

Visitors will be able to find accomodation, shopping, restaurants, trips and fun activities around Diani to match any budget.

Take an opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and refresh in Diani. There really is something for everyone.