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| Msambweni | ||
| Kwale County | Kwale | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 12.000 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 0 - 20 m | |
| no value for height on Wikidata: | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Msambweni is a town and constituency in Kwale County on the south coast of Kenya, halfway between Mombasa and Tanzanian border.
The place
Msambweni is located directly on the Indian Ocean, just under half an hour's drive south of Diani Beach. Here and further to the Tanzanian border there is very little tourism, the long beaches are largely deserted. A total of ten villages with a good 12,000 inhabitants form an area settlement without a central town center, the single-storey houses and mud huts are scattered under palm trees between the coastal road and the sea. Most of the people belong to the Digo tribe and are mostly of Muslim faith. They live in particular from fishing, trade and handicrafts as well as agriculture. The smallholders mainly plant maize, cassava, sweet potatoes and rice. Coconut palms, mango and neem trees as well as sugar cane plantations characterize the lush green area. Kwale County Hospital is located in Kisimachande, and Tumbe is a training facility for hospital staff.
getting there
For the journey to the south coast with plane, train or bus there are detailed information under Mombasa and Diani Beach.
In the street
If you want to drive from Mombasa to Msambweni, you can of course do so by taxi (approx. 5,500 KShs). But it is also cheaper: with the tuktuk from the city center to the Likoni ferry (approx. 200 KShs), and then on foot for free to the bus station on the other side. By Matatu (shared taxi) or bus via Ukunda / Diani towards Lunga Lunga, get off at the junction to Msambweni (150 KShs). From there with the Boda-Boda motorcycle taxi to the destination (100 KShs).
mobility
A lot can be done on foot in Msambweni. Otherwise, public transport is by motorcycle taxi or tuktuk. Msambweni Junction is the stopping point for the numerous matatus and buses on the coastal road between Mombasa and Tanzania; there you can usually get on every few minutes.
activities
Msambweni is an interesting destination for travelers who want to switch off in the greatest possible tranquility in an African-village environment. You can walk long stretches on the beach and in the village, go out with the fishermen or just swim, lounge or read. If the wind is right, you can kitesurf with your own equipment. Snorkeling on the reef is possible, but if you are seriously interested in underwater (also for scuba diving) a day trip to the Kisite Marine Park near Shimoni is recommended. Deep sea fishing and fun sports are not there.
shop
In the village itself there are only a few small shops and market stalls with fruit and vegetables, as well as a large local Sunday market in the district of Bomani. For larger purchases and upscale products, you have to go to Ukunda / Diani Beach or possibly to Mombasa.
Restaurants
Except for some very local (inexpensive!) Restaurants and street kitchens, there are few culinary options in Msambweni. To be on the safe side, you should register in advance in the restaurants of the four hotels listed below.
nightlife
There is no tourist night life in the Muslim Msambweni. Anyone who wants to go out in the evening will find one or the other very local beer bar with football broadcasts on the television screen. Weddings are popular and very public on weekends, with live tarab music all night long - taking part is no problem.
accommodation
In Msambweni there are four small hotels or bed & breakfasts as well as a number of private beach houses (as of March 2018). Two medium-priced hotels are located on the beach section north of the district hospital, two more expensive on the southern beach section.
On the north beach
Mbuyu Beach Bungalows1 Mbuyu Beach Bungalows. Tel.: 254 707 000 823, Email: [email protected]. B&B at the small fishing port of Sawa Sawa with its traditional sailing boats. Five detached bungalows, tropical palm garden, swimming pool and restaurant with fish-based cuisine. The hosts are long-time ARD Africa correspondent Werner Zeppenfeld and his Swiss wife Isabelle Graedel. Open from October to Easter, direct bookings only.Price: € 70 half board.
- 2 Sawa Sawa Beach House. Tel.: 254 714 851129. Dutch-run B&B specializing in guided motorcycle safaris in Kenya and Tanzania. Pool, restaurant and small beach bar ("O'Peppo").
On the south beach:
- 3 The Ocean Spa Lodge. Tel.: 44 20 3286 3536. High-end lodge opened in 2015 under Italian management, with air-conditioned villas, a restaurant, a large pool and wellness facilities. Also offered in the safari package with the Wilderness Lodges of the Saruni Group in the Maasai Mara and in the Samburu National Park.
- 4 Msambweni Beach House. Tel.: 254 (0) 723 697 346. Luxurious villas under Belgian management, some with private pools. Restaurant, wellness. The oldest house in town also specializes in wedding parties and private events.
health
Msambweni is home to the large District Hospital of Kwale County. The German-run Children's Village Nice View maintains a small clinic ("Nice View Medical Center"). There is a larger range of medical service providers in the nearby Ukunda / Diani Beach.
- 1 hospital
security
Msambweni is not only an extremely safe and peaceful place with friendly people for Kenyan relationships. Even as a foreigner, you can move freely and without worries here at any time of the day. At most on the beach you will occasionally be approached by a hawker who seldom has the stubbornness of his professional colleagues in Diani Beach.
trips
For snorkeling and diving in the Kisite Marine Park, for a day safari in the Shimba Hills, for a more touristy beach fun Diani Beach, for a city tour Mombasa.
