I guess the big one would be Mombasa.

Hi, The biggest city on the coast is Mombasa, it has brilliant beaches & the indian ocean so is lovely. Ther smaller cities/islands would be Malindi, Lamu etc.

yea. i spent some time there and really liked it. when i landed in nairobi and realized i HATED it, i took the next bus out of town to mombasa. it was pretty easy to arrange.

I walked around Mombasa for about a day or 2 with group, and then stayed at beach “resort” on Diani Beach, just south of Mombasa proper, for about 5 days. It was all beautiful.

I would recommend you go to Mombasa intl airport and take a vacation time at the south coast, Diani Beach. A very beautiful place with many nice hotels to stay in. The beach is gorgeous, I should know, I lived there about 4 years. :)

If you start south and go north, the main trio of cities are… Mombasa, Kalifi, and Malindi. I hear Lamu, an island off the coast is incredible… my buds were just there a few days ago. Mombasa – great hotels, Malindi – this italian/swahili fusion of cultures, and Kalifi is just a quiet costal town… great if you know people there, tho.

I most certainly agree with Francis about Lamu. If you have time, take an organized dhow trip for a couple of days through argipel surrounded with mangrove trees.

I can also recommend the nighttrain from Nairobi to Mombasa. Even in 2nd class with supper kolonial style it’s a great experience !!

Good luck,

Nidri