Diani Vs Mahé Vs Zanzibar?
East Africa's Best Beaches
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Greetings from Kigali!
When going on safari to visit the Mountain Gorillas, spotting the Big Five, or maybe both, many travellers decide to end their trip by packing away their sturdy safari boots and swapping them for a comfortable pair of beach sandals. Adding a couple of days of beach time to the end of a safari in East Africa has definitely become the norm rather than the exception.
Traditionally, when booking our own slice of beach paradise, many of us tend to automatically think of exotic destinations such as the Maldives, Bahamas or Hawaii. Despite how alluring these destinations may sound, the challenge with combining an East African safari with any one of these tropical destinations is that the flight times to reach these islands is long, coupled with cumbersome stop-overs.
The solution is to combine your safari with a beach destination located in East Africa, which is straight forward to get to and does not require unreasonably long flights or stop-overs. Although there are many East African beach destinations to choose from, some of which are not as well known and are therefore more secluded, it is widely accepted that Diani Beach in Kenya, Mahé Island in the Seychelles, and Unguja (also known as Zanzibar) in Tanzania are undoubtedly the top three contenders in the region.
In our quest to showcase how these world-class beach destinations are the perfect way to round-off any East African safari, we have created a comparison table to highlight any similarities and differences between Diani, Mahé and Zanzibar. As always, we try to remain objective and to avoid expressing any personal preferences.
Talk to us if you would like to find out more, including which destination is better suited to your particular needs.
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Kenya's coastline boasts a good selection of beaches, ranging from the comparatively secluded beaches of Lamu, Msambweni and Watamu, to the award-winning Diani, arguably Kenya's most famous beach. Located south of Mombasa, Diani is considerably larger than the lesser known beaches of Lamu, Msambweni and Watamu.
Boasting beautiful sceneries and offering popular water sports activities, bars, restaurants, and shops, Diani is one of the region's go-to beaches for those looking to relax after their safari.
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Situated northeast of Madagascar, approximately 1,700 kilometres off the East African coast, Seychelles is an archipelago comprised of 115 islands. There are two main island groups, namely Mahé which is centrally located and is comprised of more than 40 mountainous islands, along with a second group of approximately 70 flat islands located further out.
With immaculate beaches, thriving marine life, and largely untarnished natural landscapes, Mahé Island is widely recognised as being one of the most beautiful beach destinations in East Africa.
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The islands of the semi-autonomous Zanzibar Archipelago are located 25-50 kilometres from the Tanzanian coastline. Comprised of many smaller and two larger islands, namely Zanzibar (officially called Unguja) and Pemba, the archipelago is home to a selection of beautiful beaches as well as Stone Town, its historic heart which is a World Heritage site.
Not only does Zanzibar offer its visitors pristine sun-drenched beaches, but it is also bursting with culture and history. Zanzibar is everything you would imagine a quintessential Indian Ocean island to be.
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Diani's beaches are spread out over approximately 25 kilometres of beautiful Swahili coastline. Protected by shallow lagoons and coral reefs, it is the ideal location for water based activities, such as scuba diving, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Diani Beach is often referred to as an interconnected stretch of beaches, with Diani preferenced for relaxation purposes, Galu for water-sports, whilst Tiwi provides a nice escape from the crowds.
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Mahé is a mountainous island surrounded by a sandy coastline boasting beautiful beaches fringed by thriving forests. Lush tropical vegetation provides the look and feel of high hanging gardens overlooking pristine white sand beaches and lagoons. This setting creates the perfect backdrop for luxury resorts and hotels. Some of the most popular beaches on Mahé include Anse Intendance situated in the south and Anse Takamaka in the south-west. |
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Filled with the aroma of fruit and spices, Zanzibar is covered in lush vegetation. Fringed by palm trees, Zanzibar's beaches are well known for their powdery white sand and the colour of the Indian Ocean's turquoise waters. The sea shore is generally shallow, with coral reefs located further out, making for ideal diving and snorkelling conditions. Zanzibar's most popular beaches are generally located in Nungwi in the north, and along the island's east coast. |
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Widely recognised as being one of the most beautiful regions of the Kenyan coast, there are two noteworthy marine protected areas near Diani Beach, namely Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve and Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, located 50 kilometres south of Diani Beach. |
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Well known for their unspoiled beauty, there are 6 marine national parks in the Seychelles archipelago. Ste. Anne, Silhouette, Port Launay, Baie Ternay, Ile Coco, and Curieuse marine national parks have all been successful at helping to promote tourism, whilst safeguarding nature. |
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Due to the vast biodiversity found in many parts of the Zanzibar Archipelago, there are a number of marine protected areas located around the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba including Jozani Chwaka Bay, Misali Marine Park, Mnemba Island, Chumbe Marine Park, and Menai Bay. |
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Between 500 and 800 A.D. the inhabitants of the Swahili Coast changed from farming to sea-based trading. In the following centuries, trade flourished and market towns such as Mombasa kept expanding. By 1498, when the Portuguese arrived, Mombasa was the dominant Swahili power along the coast. Having built Fort Jesus in Mombasa, the Portuguese were subsequently defeated in 1698. Next, the Mazrui clan of Mombasa rose to power until they were driven out by Omani forces in 1837, whose Sultan moved his capital to Zanzibar. Today Mombasa remains one of the biggest port cities on East Africa's Swahili Coast. |
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The Seychelles were known to traders from the Persian Gulf centuries ago. The first inhabitants of the archipelago were pirates in the 17th century, who used the islands as a base from where they would launch attacks against the British East India Company, who first landed on the islands in 1609. The Seychelles came under French control in 1756, and after battles between the French and English, the islands officially passed into British ownership in 1814. Seychelles was granted independence in 1976. Due to its eventful history, today's citizens of the Seychelles offer a unique blend of cultural backgrounds. |
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Zanzibar's trade started to blossom from around the 8th century, led by the Swahili settlement of Unguja Ukuu. The island's location on the Indian Ocean's trade routes boosted its importance with traders from Arabia, South Asia and the African mainland. In the 15th century the Portuguese dominated trade for a while, after which in 1698 Zanzibar fell under the control of the Sultanate of Oman. By the 19th century Zanzibar had developed into the base of a commercial empire, built around the clove economy. Defenceless against the colonial scramble for Africa, Zanzibar became a British protectorate by 1890. |
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With pleasant sea breezes and temperatures ranging between 24-32˚C, Diani Beach is an all-year round destination. Boasting a warm, tropical climate, the best time to visit Diani is during the dry months from January to April, and the cooler months between July and October. There are two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rains falling from mid-March to May, and the lesser rains during November and December. |
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With the climate governed by the trade winds, and the changes in season occurring almost unnoticeably, Mahé Island enjoys year-long warm, humid and tropical weather. The average temperature ranges between 25-32°C. The dry season, which are the winter months in the Seychelles, starts in May and ends in October. The wet season, which is summer in the islands, lasts from November to April. |
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The weather on Zanzibar is warm all year round, with temperatures ranging between 24-32˚C. There are two dry seasons, with the long one starting in June and finishing in October, and the short one running from January to February. The long rains start in April until the end of May, and the short rains, which are typically light and do not last very long, occur during the months of November and December. |
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Diani Beach is well developed and offers a good selection of property types at all price levels. Kenya's best known beach destination has attracted a number of famous names, including Jose Mourinho, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
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~ COMING SOON ~
With its ambience of remoteness and famed for its ultra-exclusive 5-star accommodations, Mahé Island attract tourists from all over the world. There are also less expensive hotels, guesthouses and self-catering apartments available.
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Zanzibar offers a wide range of accommodation options to cater for all travel budgets. From inexpensive beach bungalows and mid-range guesthouses, to plush boutique hotels and an increasing number of large all-inclusive resorts.
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Diani Beach offers a great selection of water sports activities, including world-class dive sites, colourful coral reefs for snorkeling, Dhow trips, windsurfing, paragliding and kiteboarding. Some of Diani's most popular attractions include a visit to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest, and Shimba Hills National Reserve. |
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Ideal for swimming, sailing, surfing and kayaking, Mahé Island offers an extensive selection of beautiful beaches for visitors to discover. Other activity options include visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aldabra Atoll, exploring the extensive trail network of Morne Seychellois National Park, or discovering the giant tortoises of Curieuse island. |
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Zanzibar offers its visitors a comprehensive choice of activities to enjoy, including discovering its many beaches or exploring its historic centre of Stone Town. Alternatively, dive or snorkel the reefs of the Indian Ocean, enjoy a spice plantation tour, visit Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, take a trip on a Dhow, or visit the giant turtles of Nungwi. |
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Kenya's coastal region is famous for its seafood. Every day, local fishermen deliver their catch of lobster, octopus, line fish, prawns, snapper, tuna and crab. A variety of dishes, especially Swahili ones, are flavoured using spices such as coconut, cumin, coriander, tamarind and turmeric. Tropical fruits such as banana, mango and pineapples are plentiful. Local beers include Tusker and White Cap. |
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The staple diet in the Seychelles consists of fish and rice. As is to be expected, the seafood in the archipelago is delicious and readily available, in various formats such as smoked, minced or grilled. There are ample offerings of tropical fruits such as banana, mango and papaya. Seybrew is the most popular beer in the Seychelles and Calou is the traditionally brewed palm wine of the archipelago. |
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Infused with exotic flavours, Zanzibar's cuisine consists of seafood, grilled meat, and rice. Tropical fruits include bananas, papayas and pineapples. Being a Muslim island, alcohol is only served in the tourist locations such as Stone Town and the island's hotels and resorts. Wine is imported from all over the world, and there are a number of local beers available including Safari Lager, Serengeti and Kilimanjaro. |
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Travelling to Diani Beach involves catching a 1 hour 10 minute flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to Moi International Airport in Mombassa, followed by an approximate 1 hour road transfer to your beach destination. Alternatively, Ukunda airstrip, which is located only 5 minutes from Diani Beach, is serviced by both private charter or scheduled flights operated by SafariLink and Mombasa Air. |
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To fly from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to Seychelles International Airport on Mahé Island takes 3 hours 15 minutes. Upon arrival, it can take up to 40 minutes by vehicle to reach your beach resort, dependent on location. Seychelles International has one terminal for international and another for domestic flights. Private helicopter and chartered flights also operate at the airport by Zil Air and IDC Aviation. |
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Flying from Jomo Kenyatta International to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar takes 1 hour 50 minutes. Another alternative is to fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and take a 30 minute flight to Zanzibar. There are also regular ferries operating between Dar es Salaam and the island. The road transfer to your hotel in Zanzibar can take up to two hours, dependent on the property's location. |
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The best way to get around Diani is to hire a car or use a taxi. For the adventurous, using a Matatu (local minibus) may also be an option. |
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Mahé Island offers a good network of buses, taxis or rental vehicles. Travelling between the islands is done by ferry, aircraft or helicopter. |
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Various transportation options are available in Zanzibar including rental cars, taxis, motorcycles, Dala Dala (local minibus) and bicycles. |
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TAILOR-MADE & SMALL GROUP TOURS |
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Comprising of two branches, the East African Rift boasts an incredible range of habitats with abundant vegetation and a vast array of wildlife. It is home to some of the most sought after safari locations in the world, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Maasai Mara, Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
To visit these destinations, be sure to check out our Tailor-made and Small Group Tours:
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Tailor-made Tours
We specialise in designing exclusive one-of-a-kind luxury travel experiences, taking great pride in our ability to plan and execute every trip to perfection.
Travulous' tailor-made itineraries are led by specialist Driver Guides, who love to share their knowledge of our featured destinations and to showcase the very best of East Africa's wildlife, landscapes, activities, people, culture and history.
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Small Group Tours
Travelling on one of these tours, you will join an international mix of like-minded people. To keep our tours intimate, we limit the group sizes to 12 individuals.
Our Small Group Tours are led by our inspiring and knowledgeable Tour Leaders whose primary purpose is to make your trip as extraordinary as possible. They are experts in their field, providing unique insight into their areas of interest.
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Mountain Gorillas and the Big Five are definitely the highlights of our safaris in 2023 and 2024, so why not experience these for yourself?
In late 2023 and 2024 Travulous will be offering Familiarisation Trips for the Travel Trade to visit Rwanda, guided by Ian Redmond. Ian worked with Dian Fossey at the original Karisoke Research Center in the 1970s, introduced Sir David Attenborough to the mountain gorillas, and taught Sigourney Weaver to grunt like a gorilla for her award-winning role in 'Gorillas in the Mist'.
Site inspections will include luxury properties in Kigali, Akagera NP and Volcanoes NP (including The Retreat, Magashi, Kwitonda Lodge, Bisate, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and Gorilla's Nest).
If you belong to the Travel Trade and are interested in joining one of our FAM trips, sign up or log in to our Agent Portal to review the itinerary, including the dates and prices:
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+250 786 415 499 | +1 888 870 0591 | +44 20 8057 0578
Anglican Business Centre, Giporoso, Kigali, Rwanda
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