The Coastal Ecosystem
Situated on Shanzu Beach, the most northerly portion of the coast between Mombasa and Mtwapa Creek, the hotel looks out over the waters of the Mombasa Marine National Park, a 200-square kilometre National Marine Reserve. Featuring a well-developed coral barrier reef, the park is visited by turtles and plays host to 250 marine species to include crabs, butterfly fish, parrotfish, sea urchins, cowries, moray eel, lionfish, starfish and sergeant major fish.

Much of the Kenyan coastline has evolved over the last 30 million years and offers a fascinating selection of cliffs, stacks and rock pool platforms. At low tide, the coral-sand beach also reveals extensive areas of channels that harbour a broad selection of marine creatures and shells. The coastal vegetation is made up of microscopic marine plants, extensive mangrove swamps, luxuriant palm groves and areas of Casuarina woodland. The coastline also provides valuable nesting sites for seven species of endangered migratory sea turtles whilst the coastal grasslands and mangrove swamps are a haven for a spectacular bird life, unique members of which include: bee-eaters, greenshank, stint, egret and spoonbills.

The coastal rainforests, which rise to the rear of the coastal strip, are all that remain of a vast and ancient forest that once covered much of East Africa. Both the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and The Shimba Hills National Park are open for visits and play host to an extensive and colourful range of life forms to include prehistoric cycads, ancient hardwoods, rare butterflies, unique mammals and over half of Kenya’s rarest plant species.

The Swahili People
The Swahili are not a ‘tribe’ as such, but the product of centuries of mixed heritage that has combined the strains of assorted African, Persian, Portuguese and Omani people into one harmonious whole. Arab traders, sailing to Kenya from the Persian Gulf, first plied the coast in their dhows around the 7th century. With time, they settled, established dynasties and intermarried with the locals, the result being that Islam came to exert an increasingly strong influence on the people of the coast. In the 15th century the Portuguese, the first of the coastal colonizers, arrived and spent two centuries fighting the Arab settlers and plundering the gold and ivory of Mombasa before being ousted by the Sultans of Oman. Throughout the 18th century rival Omani dynasties fought for ascendancy in the region and establishing a flourishing slave trade until, in 1824, the British ship HMS Leven arrived and, at the request of the people, declared Mombasa a British Protectorate. Thereafter commenced the battle to both abolish slavery and establish a British colony in Kenya.

The end result of so much racial intermingling is a cultural melting pot of coastal people who are loosely termed Swahili and share a common language. And, although the majority are Muslims, the relaxed and colourful Swahili way of life is worlds away from the stricter Islamic practices of the Middle East. Traditional Swahili culture features modestly veiled women, flowing robes, bright colours, henna-painted hands and jangling jewellery. It also offers a treasure trove of literature, art and architecture whilst the Swahili craftsmen excel in the production of ornate sailing dhows, gorgeously carved doors, delicate stonework, brass work and ceramic inlay. As for the Swahili cuisine, it has absorbed the best of a fusion of cultural influences to emerge vibrantly colourful, exuberantly spiced and steeped in coconut, lime, coriander and a profusion of exotic spices.

How to Get There
The Serena Beach Hotel & Spa is 20 km north of central Mombasa along the main Mombasa/Malindi highway. The hotel operates a daily shuttle bus into the centre of town and there is a wide selection of taxis available. The nearest international airport is Moi International Airport, Mombasa (27km from the hotel) whilst there is a small local airstrip at nearby Shanzu.

What to Wear/Carry with you
Because the Serena Beach Hotel offers a relaxed daytime ambiance and features a wide range of activity options, we recommend that you include a selection of beachwear, swimwear and sportswear for daytime wear. As for the evenings, we suggest that a selection of cool, lightweight, casual-to-smart clothing would be appropriate whilst a light wrap or jacket may also be useful on breezy evenings. Finally, due to the fact that malarial mosquitoes are active between dusk and dawn you may like to bring some long sleeved clothing and long trousers or skirts for evening wear. The following items are recommended for inclusion in your travel kit: sun hat, UV sunscreen, sunglasses, cover-up T-shirts, insect repellent and anti-malarial prophylactics.

			Distances from other African Serena properties View distances between Serena Beach Hotel & Spa and the other African Serena properties, as well as driving and flight duration.