Kenya Introduction

If you are looking for a holiday where you can, not only relax but you can help a developing community, then Watamu in Kenya is for you. A visit to the school or to the Happy House really adds that extra to a holiday. The children and the teachers will make you so welcome that you may just end up coming back over and over again. We have made many visits to Watamu so we will be able to share with you some of our tips on the area, the accommodation and the community. Feel free to ask a question and we will add the answers to this page. If you have any advice please feedback and please let people we recommend know you saw their link on our site. We recommend on our own experience and feedback from others but we are not responsible for the content of other sites.

Watamu is located approximately 120 km north of Mombassa and 20 km south of Malindi, on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It has over 5 miles of white Tropical beach and is safe to walk along and is never crowded.

Watamu meaning "sweet people" in Swahili is a small fishing village and seaside tourist resort, which can boast three of the best idyllic bays on the East African coast. A haven for hundreds of species of fish and coral formations, Watamu Bay, Blue Lagoon and Turtle Bay are protected as part of the Watamu Marine National Park.

Watamu Beach, a marine park protected by KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) in Watamu. The beaches are amazing and go on for miles. The sea is warm and inviting and the people are some of the friendliest people you could meet. Their smiles are wide and genuine while their pace of life is so relaxed. A visit to Watamu is more than a holiday it’s an adventure. Your visit to Watamu will fill you with many memories and many new friends.

Getting To Watamu

Malindi airport is the nearest and most convenient airport just 20 min's from the resort. Although there are more connections to Mombassa, you must add a 1 ½ hour transfer to your journey time from Mombassa to Watamu. Getting flights to Kenya is easy and there are regular connections. If you are looking for a package then we would recommend escape2kenya who can arrange the perfect package for you. If you are more adventurous then getting a flight from Kenya Airways is easy to do and can all be done online including getting an e-ticket, which makes the whole process a lot easier. How Escape2kenya have helped the Children Of Watamu

Visa for Kenya
Most visitors will need to buy a visa, either prior to traveling or at the airport border.
For more information, consult www.kenyanembassy.co.uk It is easy to buy a visa at
the airport on arrival into Kenya. It costs $50 or roughly £35 per person for a
3-month tourist visa. If you purchase your visa as you enter the country, you will need to pay the fee in American Dollars – so have this currency available or it may be a costly experience.

Quick Guide

Kenya Time Zone
GMT + 3

Official languages
Swahili & English although English is very widely spoken and most people can speak both English and Swahili. Find out more

Money
The local currency is the Kenyan Shilling, which can be purchased at most banks. The larger hotels often offer a currency exchange facility.
If you take along Sterling travellers cheque's, these can be changed easily into shillings at most hotels.
The larger towns have an ATM and it is possible to use your card to access further funds if you wish. Nairobi, Mombassa and the Nakumart are some of the locations. Contact your bank for other locations.

Exchange rate £1 - kenya shillings

Drinking water
It is not advisable to drink the tap water in Kenya. Drink lots of water and don't forget you are very near the equator and the sun is hot. In the height of the midday sun wear a hat or cap, especially when on safari or fishing.

Electricity Plugs
Kenya uses 3 pin plugs (British Style) Electricity operates at 240volt