Travel by Ray

Kilifi is a town on the Kenyan coast, north of Mombasa. It’s near Kilifi Creek, along an estuary of the Goshi River. The town is known for the sweet Indian Ocean beaches. Just like any other small town it’s special in many ways from lack of congestion to country cool and old buildings full of character. One thing you learn very quickly about it is that its hard not to fall under its spell and when visiting, you should arrive hungry. There are so many good places to eat and wine . It’s for that very reason that Kilifi county remains my favorite Kenyan coast destination when am not thinking of Lamu of course.

After a very amazing Diani experience i headed to Kilifi for a weekend of relaxation this time choosing a different type of accommodation, a villa. While hotel stays have their own advantages Villas come with seclusion and privacy. However the thought of cooking ones own food may not be the best thing to look forward to. Luckily enough Madharini villas come with their own chef service, all you need to do is bring your own food.

As a travel blogger, I’m often asked about my favorite destinations around the Kenyan coast. My answers, depending on my current whims and the energy I have to delve into such a query, range from a carefully calibrated, heartfelt list of places that make my heart skip a beat to a far-off smile and a rotating roulette of just one off the list. Often, it’s Kilifi county but somehow kwale county keeps beckoning, charming it’s way to my heart, drawing me to visit it more. Last year alone i found my self in the county thrice. Each one of the three, funzi island, Chale island and The sands at Nomad was an experience of its own but am not gonna sit here and lie to you, Nomad was it for me.

So about two weeks ago the idea of dipping my toes in warm turquoise blue seas and basking in the sun on lush white sandy beaches sounded like a really nice idea. That’s how i found myself in Diani Reef.

Renowned for its scenic views and cosmopolitan culture, Nanyuki is the 14th highest town in Africa and the capital of Laikipia county. Lying at an altitude of between 1600 and 2400metres and perched in the middle of East Africa, Laikipia is perfection. The geological gods did the continent proud when they sculpted Laikipia.

South-east lies the imperious Mount Kenya. At 5 199 meters ASL , this ice-topped remnant of a volcano is 696 meters shorter than Kilimanjaro. Which one of the two is a more impressive sight is a topic for another day. South-west is the magnificent Aberdare ranges. To the north Laikipia spreads out over 10 000 square kilometers of highland savanna, woodland and rocky outcrops. Laikipia is one of the planet’s most life-affirming places. It was and still is a timeless, unchanged land with large numbers of animals roaming wild and free. It is home to the second largest abundance of wildlife in East Africa after the Mara- Serengeti ecosystem. I bet you can tell Laikipia has a special place in my heart 😊
Continue reading “11 places to stay around Nanyuki” →