Kayak Safari

4 or 7 night Kayak Safaris through the Kiunga Marine Reserve in the north of Kenya, the 4 night trip paddles slowly through the reserve starting and ending at Kiwayu and the 7 night trip involves the same first 4 nights plus visits to the historic southern islands outside the reserve, paddling down to Lamu Island. 

These are holidays through amazingly beautiful streches of coast, paddling, swimming and snorkelling around reefs, mangroves and remote islands.  The expeditions are carried out with support of a (motorised) dhow. Accommodation is on islands using a fully equiped mobile camp.  While you paddle each day the dhow crew break camp and move to the next site, setting up and preparing the next meal. At the end of the day experience a refreshing shower under the stars and sit down to dinner crafted by the camp chef. Many dishes incorporate fresh seafood.

You paddle only with your essential kit in 20 litre dry bags.  The Kayaks are all specially designed for use in the temperatures and coastal waters of Africa.  Due to the warm temperatures of the Lamu Archipelago all kayaks are sit-on-top touring kayaks with no splash skirts or hot neoprene covers. As well as reducing the heat otherwise created under a splash cover, sit-on-top kayaks allow easy exit/entry whilst snorkelling or swimming, do away with the need for technical rolls and provide freedom of movement when fishing or taking pictures.

On the way you will experience amazing marine life, multitudes of water birds and underwater reefs.  You will pass some local villages and watch the sailing dhows going out to fish.  Depending on the time of year you may witness turtle hatchlings, flocks of roseate terns, inquisitive dolphins and curious land animals. 

Kiunga Marine Reserve is a protected reserve and this unique access to it is subject to maintaining a low impact and environmentally friendly camps.  On the mainland there are wild animals, such as buffalo and antelope.  You will spend most of your time amongst the islands and can expect to see an abundance of marine life, water birds and the occasional island monkeys and smaller antelope.  The local villagers are all exceptionally friendly and welcoming. 

The dhow and kayak guides have marine radios and can communicate with the Kenyan Wildlife Service. Safaricom cell phone range is possible for the first 3 days and for emergencies the Expedition Leader carries a satellite phone.