The attraction of Chale Reefs lies in the house itself, the friendly staff and the splendid Msambweni beach. However, there are many things to do slightly further afield.
GPS Coordinates 4°29'52.04"S and 39°28'22.11"E
The Village
Mwaembe lies at the north end of the beach, about a kilometre from the house. Mwaembe means ‘place of mangoes.’ Local shops and stalls provide most basic groceries and the area is well worth wandering through.
The local Msambweni Turtle and Marine Conservation Group is situated very close to the end of the beach. On Sundays the Msambweni Orphans Programme runs a feeding scheme and visitors are always welcome.
Diani
For banks, supermarkets and restaurants you need to go to Diani, about 25km to the north.
Diani is a developed resort and provides all the amenities you would expect to find, from windsurfing, scuba diving and golf to pizzas, supermarkets and souvenir shops.
- www.divingthecrab.com
- www.dianimarine.com
- www.h20-extreme.com
- www.leisurelodgeresort.com
- www.thekenyaway.com
The renowned conservation charity, the Colobus Trust, is based in Diani.
A number of well established tour operators who can organize trips or excursions for you are based at the Diani Shopping Centre.
Boat trips and fishing
The village of Shimoni is about 40 minutes drive south of Msambweni. It is home to some of the best deep-sea fishing along the coast.
Trips to the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and the nearby Wasini Island can be arranged by Husseini in Mwaembe or through agencies in Diani.
Dolphins can often be seen around Shimoni and Kisite.
Safaris and Wildlife
The Shimba Hills National Reserve, home to elephants and the only sable antelope in Kenya, is about an hour’s drive from Msambweni. You can stay overnight at the luxury Shimba Hills Lodge or in the self-catering Sable Bandas.
Overnight trips to Tsavo East National Park are possible from Diani. Visitors to Chale Reefs have also incorporated safaris to the Masai Mara into their stay.
Mombasa
Old Town Mombasa and Fort Jesus are fascinating. Haller Park is also popular, especially with children. The Likoni Ferry queues are unpredictable however, which can sometimes make the idea of a trip to Mombasa a little daunting.
