Kenyan Coast on a budget

 Everyone needs a vacation once in a while just to re-ignite some positive vibes in their lives. What better way to blow some steam off than being surrounded by tropical beaches, sipping some Hennessy and soaking up some vitamin D; Okay that was a bit over the top lol but you get the drift. Having planned for this trip for years I decided this was it, it was now or never so I hit up my favorite girls and booked the SGR economy class tickets. It was time to pack up. Now I'm the type of person that convinces themselves that they have enough time to pack then end up packing 2 hours to departure time. How I still over pack in such a short time still blows my mind, anyway I digress


Getting there

My friends and I booked the 8.20 am inter county train. It was such a thrill, considering none of us has ever been on it before. The train is kept clean at all times and the service is A1. The only problem was that we weren't allowed to bring any food or drinks, we could buy in the train but at ridiculously high prices. I understand the rules have changed now (as of the date of writing this post) and you can bring food and drinks. The economy class seats are also not the most comfortable but for a 4 hr ride, you'll get through. Also note that from Mombasa terminus you will need to either take a taxi or board the local status to your destination. Being 3 of us, we split costs among ourselves as taxis can be quite expensive.



Accommodation

You will definitely be spoilt for choice when it comes to where to stay. There's a wide range of options from 5 star hotels to luxurious apartments. This is dependent on you, your budget, preference and if course whether you are going to North or South Coast. For us we went with the beautiful Shanzu Beach Homes located on the North Coast of Mombasa in Shanty. These 2 bedroom apartments are extremely clean and feature fresh bedding, air conditioning, a flat screen TV, modern and fully equipped kitchen with basics like gas cooker, fridge microwave and kitchen utensils; thereby offering guests an option of preparing their own meals. The apartments are also 5 minutes away walking distance to the beach and offer onsite parking. It truly is the place to be as it also features a swimming pool for relaxing on a hot day. Shanzu Beach Homes are definitely ideal for families and large groups. The cost carries depending on the season, for the low season (when we travelled) The charges were KSHS 6500 per night and again being in a group, we split the costs. Who said you need to break the bank to travel?





Activities

Going to the beach is probably the biggest reason, we, Nairobi people travel to the coast. Fortunately for us we could access the more private and calm Serena beach from our apartment. Here you get a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean as you struttle down the white sandy beach. There are also a number of activities to partake in, including horse and camel rides, boat rides, snorkeling or hey, burying a friend's body in the same lol. You can also get a cool henna tattoo. I, however found it much more fun to hang out at the public beach commonly known as Pirates. There's lots of street food there and you actually get a feel of culture and people. Beware of questionable characters at Pirates though. Other than the beach, there's a number of beach parties all over. For party goers, Mombasa nightlife is a haven. This city does not sleep and you can party till you drop in the wee hours of the morning. For history lovers there is the UNESCO known Fort Jesus. There is simply everything for everyone.


Summary.

Contrary to popular opinion travelling to the Kenyan coast does not need to cost an arm and a leg. Make your budget wisely and you'll be surprised how easy it is to have fun on a budget. My biggest cost cutting tips would be
  1. Low season travel - Rates are usually low and it's less crowded
  2. Affordable accommodation - I would 100% recommend Shanzu Beach Homes . Call them for more details. (0723739899) 
  3. Self catering rather than dining out.
  4. Cost sharing among friends.


And above all don't forget to make lasting memories and have a good time. After all we are only here for a short time!







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