Safari and the Beach – Part 1: Diani Beach

It’s been four long years since I last set foot on the white sands of Diani Beach. Craving a quick escape from Nairobi, I knew it was time to return. You all know my love affair with the Kenyan Coast – ever since moving here, an annual seaside getaway has been non-negotiable. Let’s take a quick stroll down memory lane, shall we?

In 2020, Mark and I fell for the magic of Watamu’s marine parks and secluded shores. 2021 had me splitting my time between Diani’s beaches and the alleyways of Lamu. Kilifi called my name in 2022, while the past two years – 2023 and 2024 – saw me drawn back to Watamu’s irresistible charm.

Clearly, I have a favourite, but this time, Diani was calling—and I was more than happy to answer.

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Watamu Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know!

Like my first trip to Diani, I took the SGR from Nairobi to Mombasa. But this time, I opted to ride on the newly introduced Premium Class coach – a more luxurious way to travel, though it comes with a comparatively hefty price tag.

Getting to Diani on the Premier Class SGR Train

Unlike the First and Economy Class coaches, Premium Class lets you choose your seat in advance, and there’s no need to print your ticket before boarding. Once you book, you receive an email and text with your ticket and a QR code, which is simply scanned upon arrival.

This is one of several upgrades available for a smoother journey.

The Best Seats on the SGR from Nairobi to Mombasa

And speaking of choosing your seats, when selecting yours on the route from Nairobi to Mombasa, go for the left side of the train (i.e. even numbered seats) if you want views of Tsavo National Park as you approach Voi Station.

But be aware that some seats (including 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 23, and 24) have partial window views. The best picks for large windows are 26, 21, 25, 15, and 6. I sat in 26, it was perfect. The sun was in my eyes for the beginning of the journey but I was happy to find that roller blinds were installed, which helped a lot.

For the most part, the other elements for boarding this coach class remain the same. Premium Class passengers go through the same initial security lines but there is a separate dedicated entry and exit gate (in Mombasa only) and a pre-departure lounge, that has more comfortable seating arrangements.

About an hour after departure from Nairobi Terminus, I was served breakfast on the morning intercounty service. The meal was quite satisfying. I took the afternoon service for my return journey, where they served an equally impressive lunch. Both meals were included in the Premium Class service, which was a nice touch for the journey.

Getting to Diani Beach

After arriving in Mombasa, I took a taxi from the train station to Diani. The ride takes about an hour and another notable difference between my last trip and now is that there is a new highway that connects Mombasa to Diani. This means that there is no need to take the Likoni Ferry and the journey is much smoother when travelling by car.

Where to Stay in Diani Beach

The taxi took me directly to my hotel for the next few days. I booked to stay at Golden Beachfront Studios, which seemed to be a fairly new listing on Booking.com. I was a bit worried about the minimal reviews it had but seeing as these reviews were overwhelmingly positive, plus the fact that other options were either subpar or way out of my budget, I decided to take a chance on it.

There were a few things I loved about my stay here. Generally, it is not an accommodation I will return to because while the interior of this studio apartment was comfortable enough, the exterior looked abandoned and dilapidated. Still, for the price quoted, it had great amenities and was a few feet away from the beach.

I have saved a few other accommodations on Booking.com which I intend to book well in advance for my next trip to the beach. Now, let’s talk about all the fun things I got up to while in Diani!

What I Did in Diani Beach

My time in Diani Beach was spent leisurely as planned. I was only there for a few days and enjoyed my daily walks along the beach and dining out. I ate at a few different places but it was my meals at Nomad Beach and Bar Restaurant that made my stay!

The food was absolutely worth the 20-minute tuk-tuk ride from my hotel – I loved it so much that I made the journey three times during my 4-day stay! That’s how delicious everything was. In addition, I just loved the ambience of the restaurant and its lovely beachfront.

While I spent my time simply unwinding – enjoying peaceful beach walks, exploring restaurants and soaking in the coastal atmosphere – there’s plenty here for adventure seekers. The area offers a variety of excursions – everything from water sports and diving trips to dolphin watching and whale shark encounters.

For those craving an adrenaline rush, you can even go skydiving. The beauty of this destination is that it caters to both those who want to relax and those eager to pack their days with activities.

After 4 days on the coast, it was time to head over to the “safari” part of this holiday – which was just as magical! I’ve been sharing videos of this trip on my Instagram if you’d love to check them out!

And I’d like to know, if you have visited Diani Beach, what was your experience like? Please share them in the comment section below!