Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo Forest Cultural and Nature Experience

Experience the tranquility of a well-preserved sacred forest with cultural and religious significance in the heart of Diani Beach with a guided walking tour. 

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Visit the most prominent sacred forest (Kaya) in the coastal region

2. Immerse yourself in the Digo history

3. Experience a guided nature trail experience through a natural forest

4. See unique tree species only found in Kaya Kinondo with Unique Medicinal traits

5. See a well-preserved shrine by the locals

6. Experience a natural Hammock

DESCRIPTION

About Kaya Kinondo

Kaya Kinondo is a sacred site and once upon a time a great home for the local Digo people, a sun tribe of the Mijikenda People in South Coast Kenya. Meaning home or village, Kaya was a fortified settlement founded by the local people when they first arrived here more than 600 years ago. It is the place where local people retreat to communicate with their ancestral spirits in the form of prayers and sacrificial offerings. The site was also a great hideout for local people from enemies who pursued them along the migration routes. Kaya Kinondo is embedded with great natural and cultural heritage whose protection is deeply sanctified in the local people's beliefs and fears.

Experience the Kaya coastal culture walk in the sacred forest. Have a chance to see the endangered species of the flora and fauna.  Kaya Kinondo is the only forest open to visitors among the nine tribes along the coast. Ceremonies are centered around the most sacred area of the Kaya, especially the burial site for the elderly where they believe the spirits dwell.

About the Visit

Departure to the Kaya forest can be in the morning or the afternoons at cooler times when temperatures are not too hot with an option of riding a bicycle which is a distance of about 10 km of cycling from most of the hotels.

You will be picked up from your hotel or accommodation by our guide and take you to the Kaya. 

We will meet the forest guide who will take over.

You will then have a brief information session at the Kaya Kinondo Visitors Information Centre about the site and what to expect.

You will then experience an approximately 2-hour guided forest walk to get a piece of detailed information about the existing flora and fauna.

You will then visit a traditional village for a guided village tour to experience how locals live.

Depart back to the hotel arriving in good time for lunch.

Departure to the Kaya forest can be in the morning or the afternoons at cooler times when temperatures are not too hot.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

1. Proceeds from this trip help the community.

2. This is a good trip to learn about the coastal communities

3. Kaya is Safe to visit

4. Carry comfortable closed shoes

5. You can carry some cash to buy local souvenirs