A 17-kilometre stretch of fine white sand beach runs through Kwale, encompassing Diani, Msambweni, Shirazi, Funzi, Shimoni, Wasini and Kisite Tidal Island. But the region is more than just its coastline: islands, marine protected areas, a biodiverse coastal forest and historically significant sites offer different perspectives on Kwale. When planning a trip, visitors can therefore explore a range of interests—from the sea to nature and wildlife, as well as history.
Coast, Sea and Islands
Kwale County includes a total of 20 islands. Four of them are inhabited: Wasini, Funzi, Mzizima and Chale. This distinction gives the island landscape a concrete framework without treating all the islands as the same. The sea also offers a range of experiences: the Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve is associated with snorkelling, diving, swimming with dolphins and sunbathing.
The long stretch of beach spans several named places and islands. This gives an overview of the region’s varied coastline without prescribing a particular itinerary. The Diani/Chale Marine Reserve is designated as a marine protected area and extends along the coast from Waa to Chale. Together with the islands and the Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve, it forms an important part of Kwale’s marine attractions.
Shimba Hills: Forest, Birdlife and Activities
The Shimba Hills National Park Reserve is one of the protected areas in Kwale County. The Shimba Hills National Reserve is a coastal forest with rich flora and fauna. It is home to Kenya’s highest density of African elephants. Sheldrick Falls and Mwaluganje Forest are also located in the Shimba Hills National Reserve.
The Shimba Hills National Park Reserve is visited for birdwatching, sightseeing and photography; activities also include camping, nature walks to the Sheldrick Waterfalls and botanical research. Forest bird species can be found in the forest. The grassland is home to local species such as the Red-necked Spurfowl, Croaking Cisticola and Zanzibar Red Bishop. Which species are present can vary seasonally. Shimba Hills thus offers a focus on both wildlife and plant life, as well as different ways to experience the landscape.
Tourist sites in Kwale County also include the Sable bandas in Shimba Hills, the Gazi Boardwalk in Kinondo and the Wasini Women Boardwalk in Vanga. The Kaya Kinondo eco-tourism project in Kinondo is a community-led ecotourism project. The Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary in Kinango is a community conservancy and is currently used for tourism activities. If you are planning a specific visit, check the current visitor conditions in advance.
Historic Sites and Cultural Context
Historically significant sites in Kwale County include the Fikirini Caves, the Mwanangoto Caves in Shimoni, the Kongo Mosque in Ukunda, Lwayo La Mlungu in Mwereni, Nyumba Ya Hoe in Kilibasi, the Vanga Ruins, Jumba la Mbaruku in Gazi and the Komboza Caves in Diani. Caves, a mosque and ruins offer different insights into Kwale’s history.
In the broader destination of Kenya, the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests provide further cultural context. They comprise ten separate forest areas stretching for around 200 kilometres along the coast and contain the remains of fortified Mijikenda villages, known as Kayas. The Kayas emerged from the 16th century onwards and were abandoned by the 1940s. They are considered sacred places and ancestral homes, and are maintained by councils of elders.
Discover more destinations: Kwale, Diani Beach, Ramisi, Tiwi, Msambweni, Kilibasi, Vanga, Kinondo, Kikoneni.
For the broader travel overview: Kenya.
