Frequently Asked Questions
From Kilifi, Mombasa and Malindi
Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers is just a short distance (2km) from Naivas Supermarket. We are located 2km off the main highway connecting Mombasa to Watamu, Malindi, and Lamu. If you are coming by local transport (matatu), jump off at Tusky’s Supermarket. From there, many motorbikes (“piki-pikis”) and tuk-tuks will be able to take you for about Ksh 150.
From Mombasa and Malindi airport: We can organize a taxi to pick you up from from Mombasa Airport (Moi International), Malindi Airport, and elsewhere. Daytime pick-ups are normally Ksh 4,500 and night-time pick-ups are normally Ksh 5,500. We’ve also started recently organising pick-ups from the Mombasa Terminus of the Standard Gauge Railway; these cost Ksh 5,500. Don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions or get lost. For taxi bookings, please email us at info@kilifibackpackers.com.
If you are driving your own vehicle: If you’re driving from Mombasa, turn left when you see our sign about 1km after Kilifi bridge. You can follow the signs from there – we are located about 2km down this dirt road.
- BY TRAIN: The Standard gauge Railway has replaced the ‘Lunatic Express’ and its often erratic timetable (to say the least…). It now takes 5 Hours by train from Nairobi to Mombasa, a reduction of 12-16 hours. Train tickets cost KSh 1000 (USD 9) for a third class tickets and KSh 3,000 (USD 30) for a first class ticket.Book online through their website or over the phone: 0709907000, 0709907555, 0709388887.
Once you get through to a customer care representative, you will be asked to provide your travel details: nature of your trip, the cabin of choice and the number of seats you want to book.Once informed of the amount to pay, you will receive an SMS with details of the Mpesa Paybill Number and the payment ID. Once the transaction is complete, you’ll receive an SMS with your ticket information.
- BY BUS: Various bus companies make the 8-12 hour Journey all the way from Nairobi to Kilifi. Most take online bookings whereas others allow you to phone in. Try Modern Coast, Dreamline and Buscar!
- BY PLANE: Flying to the coast significantly cuts down on travel time. Your trip will be even shorter if you fly to Malindi rather than Mombasa due to traffic – but flights are usually slightly more expensive when flying to Malindi. Shorter even, but more expensive,, you can fly into Vipingo Ridge 5 star Golf Course. This is about a 30 minute drive from our site. Have a quick look online and see what suits your budget! Try Jambo Jet, Fly 540, Safari Link and Kenya Airways.
If you are flying from abroad, the easiest is to try to fly directly into Mombasa International Airport, only 60km away from us. Alternatively, you can fly to Nairobi and come down by train, bus, plane or road (see above).
After spending a decade in Kilifi, we find it to be a safe place. Like everywhere in the world, some minor and more violent incidents do occur from time to time, yet remain very isolated occurrences.
Whilst feeling very safe, we have an excellent relationship with local authorities and we do not take security lightly. We have a comprehensive, lasting, and versatile security system to ensure guests their peace of mind. Our team of trained security guards work day and night using recently upgraded extensive CCTV system. We also work closely with KK Security, our Kilifi based Emergency Response team as well as Amini, our local Neighborhood Patrol. Most importantly, we live in a very peaceful and united part of town with friendly and watchful caring neighbours.
The infrastructure of Kilifi is starting to be well developed. Most guests have no trouble finding everything they need right here in Kilifi!
• Banks with ATMs (Diamond Trust, Barclays, Equity Bank, KCB as well as smaller banks)
• Supermarkets including Tusky’s, local food markets (butchers, vegetable market), bottle shops, Italian delicatessen, fresh juice stands, and more!
• Post office, internet cafes, hairdressers, weavers, tailors, carvers, mechanics, etc.
• Curio and handicraft shops as well as extensive street markets for clothing and fabric,
hardware and electronics shops
• Kilifi District Hospital, private clinics, pharmacies/chemists/ vets, as well as a KEMRI – an international medical research institute.
• Wide range of restaurants and bars from the most traditional/local to the highest standards.
There’s a lot to do in Kilifi – from exploring 10km white sand beaches and the beautiful countryside and coastline, kitesurfing, diving, sailing, delicious restaurants, and much more. For more info, have a look at the Activities page of Distant relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers.
We can help you organize very affordable safaris to nearby National Parks (Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli and more). Prices start at 250 USD per person for a two day safari (minimum four people). If you’re interested in knowing more, don’t hesitate to send us a quick email at info@kilifibackpackers.com. We’ll be glad to answer all your questions!
If you are not a Kenyan citizen or a Resident with a work permit, you will be required to obtain a Tourist Visa. Depending on your nationality, you will be able to obtain a tourist visa at immigration at the airport for US $50 (check with your embassy).
You can also apply for your visa online prior to departure. Kenyan tourist visas typically last for three months and is renewable once after which you must leave East Africa. Nearest Immigration offices are in Mombasa and Malindi.
Just like anywhere else along the Kenyan coast and most of East Africa, Kilifi is an endemic area for malaria. However, December being our dry season, less mosquitoes are around at this time of year.
Kilifi is also home to a site for the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, the Kenya Medical Research Institute, a major centre for clinical and epidemiological research on malaria. Thanks in large part to KEMRI, hospital admissions for malaria in the area have decreased from 18.43 per 1000 children in 2003 to 3.42 in 2007 (divided by 5 in 4 years).
- Since we moved to Kilifi in 2010, near to no one has ever had Malaria. Even so, we do recommend the use of prophylaxis to prevent malaria while you are in a malaria zone.
Read here for more info on some of your best options: CDC Website
You could also consider looking into homeopathic alternatives.
Bring them! The equatorial sun can be ruthless and whilst its is the dry season, there will still be a few mosquitoes around.
Being only three degrees south of the equator, Kilifi and most other parts of the Kenyan coast are pretty hot all year round. “Hot” can be a relative term though, depending on where in the world you are coming from, but most guests find it hotter than they are used to. The rainy and therefore cooler season is normally April and May, as well as October and November. Click here to view charts of average temperatures and rainfall in Kilifi.