KENYA IS HOME TO THE "BIG FIVE" OF BEACH SAFARIS

A true secret for only a few having the privilege to experience and the best tourism has to offer - no, it's not expensive. You'll find it on one of the best beaches in the world tourists could imagine to travel to.

Take a look at Four° Twenty’ South latitude on Kenya's Diana Galu beach, a true travel insider tip.

Luciana Parazzi, Director of Colobus Conservation, is into conservation of forests and wildlife in general and when she travels, she likes to be in a friendly atmosphere where there is peace and tranquility. On a trip to Kenya, she stayed at Four Twenty South and nominated the property to be added to THE LIST, the eTN Award for excellence in tourism.

So taken by her stay, she was compelled to write to eTurboNews in which she had this to say about the property. “Simple but beautiful, surrounded by gardens and facing the magnificent Diani Beach. Excellent food and great hosts. Had a very relaxing weekend, surrounded by nature and did great goggling ... and over ate!!!!”

eTN publisher Juergen T. Steinmetz said of the nomination: “Four Twenty’ South is the kind of place that touches guests so much, that they are compelled to write about it and share their enthusiasm with others. While I have not yet had the privilege of staying there myself, it certainly appears to be a place that should be on one’s bucket list. So many of us are so busy when we travel, and this is just the kind of place to go, to truly be on vacation and unwind. We are pleased to add them to THE LIST. Congratulations!"

So how does one make it on THE LIST? Anyone can nominate a hotel, destination, attraction, airline, person, cruise, or restaurant based on a best moment or experience. THE LIST is not about rating how “luxurious” something is. It is more about how much something is appreciated or different.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be on the list for ourselves and also for Kenya’s Diani/Galu beach. It's Africa’s most beautiful beach. This is an honor for us and a boost for tourism and the residents of Kwale District after suffering major setbacks in the last few years. Thank you so much; we really appreciate it,” said Hilary Martin, General Manager of Four° Twenty’ South, named for the latitude – it is almost exactly 4 degrees and 20 minutes south of the equator.

The property is made up of six characterful beachfront houses, stylish but simple, fully staffed with a personal chef and housekeeper on Kenya’s south coast, Diani/Galu beach. Diani has been voted as one of the best 25 beaches in the world by Trip Advisor. Galu is an extension of Diani’s powder white sands but less developed.

Four° Twenty’ South aims to offer the privacy and freedom of a guest’s own home (without the chores) in peaceful tropical gardens on the shores of the sparkling sapphire Indian Ocean where one may be awoken by monkeys jumping on the roof or by the cry of a bushbaby in the night, but not to worry as the waves kissing the shore will lull guests back to sleep. Those staying on property decide when and what to eat, and what beauty treatments, excursions, or activities they desire.

“Good food is important to us. Fresh seafood is brought to the door daily by the neighboring fishermen, and our chefs are skilled in preparing it. Mangoes, paw paw, watermelon, and passion fruit, along with some seasonal vegetables are also brought to the door by a ‘bicycle shop’ (as one of our guests called the local vendors),” said Martin.

The houses have been renovated but retain their colonial character and are simply furnished with a stylish mix of British and Swahili furniture all locally produced. It provides an authentic old-fashioned beach holiday experience which is far removed from that of a modern beach resort.

The business has been run by the family since the 1960s and offers the security of a single property with the privacy of a stand-alone house screened from others by tropical gardens. The owners also live on the property, and some of the staff or their families have worked there for 2 or 3 generations.

Four airlines now fly in from Nairobi and Four° Twenty’ South offers complimentary transfer at the airstrip which is 7 minutes away, along with a complimentary shopping service where staff can shop from a list in advance or there is a car available by arrangement to take guests shopping for themselves. Alternatively, the chef can do the shopping, and a catered option from the distinctive locally-influenced menu is also available, as a bed and breakfast or as a half or full board, for those who would rather leave the catering decisions to the staff.

The Shimba Hills Game Park is a short drive away, while the famous Masai Mara is an easy flight from there. Go to the reef in an ngalawa (local sailing outrigger canoe), snorkel in the coral gardens, walk for miles along the gorgeous unspoiled beach, swim in the warm Indian Ocean, scuba dive, kite surf, wind surf, deep sea fish. There is also a golf course nearby. Do yoga, exercise classes, have a massage, facial, or reflexology in the comfort of “home.” Or just enjoy the beautiful surroundings and relax. At Four° Twenty’ South, guests’ time is their own.

Emily Lawn, who stayed at the property, wrote: “I have just arrived home to rainy Ireland but am cherishing my memories of a wonderful stay at 420 South. We had such a fantastic stay, and we were all delighted with 420. Our cottage was beautiful and the view magnificent, it was just what the 3 patients needed to recover from their hospital stint! We were so happy with the service provided by you and your staff. Michael was fantastic and we are all lamenting the fact that it will be another while before we get to eat such great food again!! I am sorry that we never made it over for sundowners, but the time just seemed to slip away from us! Many thanks once again, and we will certainly be back!”

Planning a winter escape to a warmer clime? Sun-seekers can experience the "Big Five" of Beach Safaris in Kenya: pure white sand, crystal-clear azure waters, breathtaking coral reefs, unique Swahili culture, and year-round sunshine. Safari Seekers, a Nairobi-based tour operator, is offering a full selection of beach packages at hotels and resorts that dot the magnificent palm-fringed Kenyan coast.

"Today's travellers are searching for destinations that go beyond beautiful beaches," says Zul Hasham, Managing Director of Safari Seekers. "Kenya offers the chance to combine relaxation in a sunny paradise with the excitement of a game drive or an aquatic adventure."

Kenya's scuba scene is world-class with shallow coral gardens for the novice and stunning outer reefs and caves for more experienced divers. Marine Parks such as Watamu/Malindi and Kisiite Mpunguti are visited by sea turtles, manta rays, and the most gentle giant of all, the whale shark.

Big game fishing is another popular day trip. Safari Seekers can organize excursions for visitors to try their luck with some of the ocean's toughest opponents, such as marlin, wahoo and mackerel. Other water sports including para-flying, water-skiing, sailing, sea kayaking and windsurfing can easily be arranged.

Heading inland, Tsavo East National Park, is one of the closest game reserves to the Indian Ocean. Larger than Jamaica, Tsavo is a vast wilderness with plains that are home to rhino, lion, leopard, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, gerenuk, zebra, Hunter's Hartebeest and some of the biggest elephant herds in Kenya. No visit to Kenya is complete without a traditional safari!

Safari Seekers is offering a wide range of Kenya beach hotels, resorts and guest houses with rates starting as low as US$30 per night. Packages can be custom-designed to allow "beach-hopping" along the coastline, as well as overnight stays at budget and/or luxury lodges in nearby National Parks.

Safari Seekers is based in Nairobi, Kenya and also maintains offices in Mombasa and Arusha. The company has been in business for more than 15 years organizing a variety of safaris and tours throughout East Africa. With its own fleet of vehicles, Safari Seekers can handle everything from short sightseeing visits to extended custom-designed itineraries. All price levels and standards of accommodation can be arranged from budget camping safaris to luxurious lodges. Safari Seekers is committed to introducing Canadian adventurers to the wonders of East Africa. Visit the comprehensive website at

For more information, price quotes and brochures, please contact Safari Seekers Canadian representatives, Travel Marketing Experts at 55 Town Centre Court, Suite 642, Toronto, Ontario, M1P 4X4; Tel: (416) 861-1022 or toll free (888) 423-3995; Fax: (416) 861-1108 or