Plan your trip

Below you find some information on how to plan your trip around our wedding.

If you have any questions or if you would like to get more details we are happy to help - just reach out to us - we are only one phone call, email or message away.

How to get to Kenya

Book your flights early - prices will increase due to the festive season! At the moment only a few flights are out. Around April/May should be a good time to book the flights.

We highly recommend Qatar Airways or Emirates (though we personally had some bad experiences with Emirates). We heard that Turkish Airlines is great too for this trip.

Depending on the lengths of your stay and your itinerary we recommend to either fly to:

Nairobi International Airport (NBO)

Nairobi has very frequent flight connections from/to Zurich and from Nairobi you can get easily everywhere - connection flights to Ukunda (Diani), Train to Mombasa, Departure to go for Safari at Masai Mara, travelling to Naivasha, visiting Tea-/Coffee Plantains and so much more

Mombasa International Airport (MBA)

The closest International Airport to the Wedding Venue, Diani. From Mombasa you are perfectly located to visit Kilifi, Watamu or to go on Safari in Tzavo National Park.

Visa for our Swiss Guests

Kenya Online Visa Application Form | Apply for Kenya eVisa Online (kenyagovisa.com)

Covid Travel Requirements

COVID-19 Travel Requirements | Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (kcaa.or.ke)

How to get to Diani

From Nairobi

By plane

1 hour flight from Wilson Airport Nairobi to Ukunda Airport (Diani). Most hotels will pick you up - if you stay in an airbnb taxis and tuktuk’s are waiting outside the airport.

By train

6 to 7 hour train ride through several national parks with very high chances of seeing wild elephants, giraffes and zebras. Very affordable 1st and 2nd class - Book your seat early Madaraka Express - Travel Kenya - Online Booking (krc.co.ke). Ride from Mombasa train station about 90 Minutes by uber/bolt or hiring a driver.

By car

Depending on how you drive and on the traffic it’s a 7 to 10 hour drive from Nairobi to Mombasa. We recommend building carpools.

From Mombasa

By car

90 Minutes ride from Mombasa International Airport to Diani.

Depending on where you are staying the hotel will offer you transport from the Airport. We are also happy to arrange transport for you if you let us know your arrival date/time.

Good to know

Money

Currency is Kenyan Shilling KSH/KES
Cash can be used everywhere - people at shops or tuktuk drivers normally don't have change
MPesa (it's the kenyan twint but way better!) All you need is to get a kenyan sim card. You download the safaricom app and you go to a shop and upload your cash to your mpesa. For more information check below under phone
Bancomat - you find them everywhere

Phone

We recommend buying a Sim card once you arrive in Kenya (they are for free you only need your passport to register). We recommend Safaricom not airtel. buy airtime for Ksh.100 = Chf. 0.75 to activate sim card.
There is no abonnement needed; it's like prepaid and you upload money - easiest way through Mpesa (see above under Money).

Transport

Uber (via app)
Bolt (via app, a bit cheaper than uber)
Tuktuk
BodaBoda (Motorbike) - we do not recommend this type of transportation as they are very often involved in heavy accidents
Train (from Nairobi-Mombasa) we highly recommend this as you can see wild elephants, giraffes and zebras from the train

When in Diani

Accomodation

As December is the high season in Diani we recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible to ensure you get the best place at the best rate
Depending on what you are looking for and on your budget there are very many hotel’s and airbnb’s
Personally, we love to stay in Airbnb’s when we are in Diani

Pharmacy

CARE & CURE PHARMACY (next to chandarana). They give good advice/recommendations

Food and essential shopping

Chandarana Chandarana Foodplus Diani
Carrefour Carrefour
Naivas The Gate Mall Outlets -Naivas Ukunda

Restaurants

Kokkos Kokkos Cafe And Bistro for Breakfast, Lunch Dinner - yummy food
Pita Pan Pita Pan Cafe for late Breakfast, Lunch
Tiki Bar Tiki Bar for Drinks, Dinner
Pizzeria Da Aniello Ristorante Pizzeria Da Aniello
Coast dishes Coast Dishes Restaurant Traditional Food, Lunch, Dinner, best Mango/Passion juice in africa :-) very cheap
Ali Barbour’s Cave Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant Dinner, Special Location, not cheap
Nomad Nomad Beach Bar & Restaurant Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Beaches

Soul Breeze Soul Breeze Beach Club and Restaurant (former Bidi Badu)
Safari Beach Safari Beach Hotel, Diani
We recommend taking a walk along the beach - it's beautiful (safe as well) and you can walk for hours.

Activities

Snorkeling and Dolphin watching in Shimoni (Daytrip)
Boatride
Wasini Boat tour (we recommend to do this from Watamu (Daytrip)
Swimming and exploring Funzi (Half Day Trip)
Kite surfing
Monkey Sanctuary
Beach-Yoga
Get your nails done by Maria’s trusted Nailtechnicians Trizah&Kirubo
Shop till you drop - along the diani beach road there are so many small shop which are selling handmade, local souvenirs - you will have to negotiate prices!

Travelling Recommendations for Kenya

Safari

Tsavo (2-3 Day Trip)
Masai Mara (2-3 Day Trip)
Nairobi National Park ( Day Trip or 1 night-stay Nairobi - Ololo- Lodge)

Coast

Watamu (Wasini-Boat Trip, Lighthouse Watamu, Captain Samy Boat)
Shimba Hills
Lamu
Kilifi

Nairobi

Bensoul - Nairobi ft Sauti Sol, Nviiri the Storyteller, Mejja (Video) SMS [Skiza 5801553] to 811
N’gong Hills
Bomas
Masai Market in Town
Nairobi National Park
Clubbing - the Nightlife in Nairobi is great
Restaurants and Cafes - Nairobi has a lot to offer
Tea-/Coffee Plantain visit

Maria & Charles