About Shirazi
The coast of Kenya has been attracting visitors for centuries. The first were traders and explorers from the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The blend of cultures they came with created a new and unique society, the Swahili, who built one of Africa’s oldest and most fascinating civilizations.
The rich history of the coastline is written in stone in the old towns of Zanzibar and Lamu, and in the mysterious ruins of trading outposts and mosques that are scattered through the forests and river estuaries along the coast - including those found at Paradise Lost. The blend of Swahili and traditional African 'Mijikenda' societies along the coast makes for a rich cultural mix.
Shirazi, on Kenya’s south coast, takes its name from Shiraz in Iran, the home of Persian traders who explored and settled in this region from the 11th century.
The area is one of the most remote and unspoilt regions on Kenya’s 480 kilometers of coastline. Protective coral reefs make ideal conditions for swimming, sailing and a range of water sports, and are also a major attraction for scuba divers and snorkellors - all of which are available within easy reach of Shirazi.
The surrounding Jadini forests are important sanctuaries for primate and bird species, and also for the preservation of 'Kayas' - ancient sacred sites of the Mijikenda community.
The narrow winding waterways of the Ramisi River are home to Nile crocodiles, and rare birds. There too are found many small fishing villages where fishermen still ply the waters in their dugout "sese" canoes.
Shirazi Bay encompasses several islands, including uninhabited sand islands that rise out of the sea on the low tides.
Despite its proximity to some of Kenya’s most popular beach resorts, Shirazi is a world apart from the crowds and the developed South Coast, an unspoilt idyll where you can relax in your own private paradise.
