Kenya Watamu August 2009 - Jacaranda Beach Resort

A holiday that stayed in my heart! You'll feel like you're with family.....Excellent treatment at the hotel, excellent cuisine (Italian), with a rich buffet of vegetables cooked in every way, a grill corner, a pasta corner with little pizzas and focaccia, a dessert buffet. The bruschettas at the start of lunch were much appreciated. I'm talking about the part of the village owned by Jacaranda and not the Eden Village. Jacaranda is decidedly better, completely modernized in the common areas in December 2008. The manager Bruno, a true Roman, is entirely at the guests' disposal for any need. An Italian village highly recommended for anyone looking for a pure-relaxation holiday. The entertainment, in fact, is very low-key, with local folkloric shows two or three times a week and entertainment games organized by the Kenyan entertainment staff for the remaining evenings.

If you need to buy some souvenirs, I recommend buying at the "little market" in the hotel set up by the artists before every show: you'll find high-quality items at prices lower even than those you'll find at the stalls around the village or during safaris. The beach is fine white sand, unfortunately dotted here and there with some pebbles or coral, so watch your feet! There's also a beach volleyball court on the beach. To go into the sea I recommend bringing rubber shoes. After a few metres, though, you reach a part of the beach where you can enter the water without shoes. The beach is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas. The beach towels are provided by the hotel. As for the rooms, I strongly recommend the sea villas (we were in the LAMU block), equipped with every comfort. The safe for the villas is free, otherwise you pay €20 a week (and it's not a deposit).

The bathroom has a bidet, a masonry shower and a "regulation" 1500-watt hairdryer. Adapters are provided by reception. To make phone calls, I recommend buying a mobile SIM card from a local operator at reception (cost €2) to top up. It's definitely worth it! For excursions, rely without hesitation on the beach boys: they'll be able to offer you the same excursions as the hotel but at much lower prices, ensuring you the same treatment (same vehicles, Italian-speaking guide, meals and insurance assistance). Be careful to deal exclusively with beach boys who work with local agencies. We did very well with TRAMONTO (real name Robert), who besides being an expert guide was a true friend to us. He'll show you the truest part of Kenya and advise you for the best whatever your needs are. You absolutely must not miss a few days of safari in one of Kenya's parks.

Robert will be able to advise you on the most recommendable one in every season of the year. Don't be scared if as soon as you arrive the beach boys assail you on the beach to sell you excursions and items of every kind... it's their job and after getting to know them they'll be great company for you! The stretch of sea in front of the hotel is the most beautiful on the whole coast: the colours are those of the Caribbean. In August there's some seaweed on the beach and the low-tide phenomenon is present for much of the day. But it's fascinating! The Sardegna 2 area is right in front of the hotel, reachable with a short walk, so don't waste money on the blue safari excursion they'll offer you, because they'll take you right in front of your own beach! Don't bring dollars with you: euros are accepted everywhere.

I recommend going at least once to a disco in Malindi on one of the evenings organized by the hotel: for €8 they'll take you by coach in complete safety to one of the many clubs downtown. The weather in August is very good: hot with little rainfall. In two weeks it rained very little and almost always at night. The climate was dry because this year the rainy season was completely skipped, so there weren't even mosquitoes. We did the antimalarial prophylaxis (Lariam) but it wasn't necessary. We had no side effects anyway, but this is subjective. The holiday was perfect from every point of view: hotel, beach, climate, cuisine, entertainment, excursions. In short, a place I'd go back to tomorrow! Holiday rating: 10 with honours!

TRAVEL TIPS: Prepare €25.00 per person for the entry visa to be paid directly at Mombasa airport. Also to be paid: €20.00 on the way back as an exit tax from the country (with NEOS it's already included). Shopping: you can find goods of every kind at the TOURIST MARKET in Malindi at good prices. Don't forget to haggle! For drink lovers: I recommend tasting AMARULA, an alcoholic cream with fruit typical of South Africa. It's best to buy it at the Duty Free of Mombasa airport (about 9 dollars for a 750 ml bottle). Excursions: rely on the beach boys and don't miss a few days of safari. I recommend the Amboseli park and East and West Tsavo, and if you can, the Masai Mara, it's stunning! As for sea excursions, have yourself taken to turtle island (next to love island). You'll feel the thrill of being alone on a desert and wild island....

Don't miss visiting one of the many orphanages in the area and leave a donation... it'll be money well spent! And don't forget to bring some toys and school supplies for the children.