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SAILKENYA Dhow Sailing in Kenya
Escape the depth of the European winter for a traditional dhow cruise along the unspoilt Kenyan coral reef, accompanied by a RYA instructor and local captain. Following a successful first season, we a
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Our normal cruising ground is away to the north of the Mombasa beach hotels, from the tranquil Kilifi creek, through the Watamu marine nature reserve, towards the fascinating Lamu Island. You will be sailing along the coral reefs. The dhow’s shallow draught allows us to creep into lagoons close to the shore overnight. Kilifi Creek, a favourite holiday spot for white Kenyans, affords a gentle introduction to Africa as you sip a cool drink at Swainford’s boatyard. A night may be spent in Takaungu creek, three miles to the South. A 25 mile sail will see us to Watamu Marine Nature Reserve, where we can snorkel, watch turtles, visit the Gedi Ruins or sail up Mida Creek to bird watch in the coastal forest. There is no need to go further than Malindi for an interesting cruise, but the more adventurous will want to cross the Tana delta to experience an older Kenya. Perhaps calling at remote Ngomeni and Kipini, before reaching for Islamic Lamu Island which has no cars, only donkeys as beasts of burden. The northerly monsoon wind will then push us the 100 miles back to Kilifi, or you can fly back and we will bring back the boat. A three day cruise from KilifiDay 1 - picked up from your hotel beach, and sail to Mida creek, stopping for snorkelling and swimming on the way, sail up to Sita and visit the Gedi ruins just before dusk, return to supper and a night aboard under the African skyDay 2 - walk through the Arabuko Sokoke rainforest at dawn, then sail round to Watamu and stay in Turtle Bay for the night. Day 3 - more snorkelling, swimming, fishing and sail back to Kilifi Weather January to March is the dry season – an air temperature of 30C is cooled by sea and land breezes, whilst the seawater is like a heated swimming pool. The gentle northerly monsoon is switched by the sea breeze to give reaching conditions during the day. A lazy land breeze at night cools and calms. We are well above the cyclone belt and wind strength rarely exceeds Beaufort Force 5. Mombasa Climate - Jan-March is the hottest, driest and sunniest.
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Keywords:
Kenya, Dhow, Dhows, Dhow Sailing, Kenya Dhow Sailing, Dhow cruising Kenya, Dhow cruise Kenya, Kenyan Dhows |
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