Dhow Excursions - Overview
Maghribi Sunset Show
Our Magharibi ‘sundowner’ cruise sails into the Indian Ocean, as the sun turns the sea into gold, and returns for a fantastic candlelit dinner under the stars.
Magharibi means “sunset” in Swahili, and this is a truly magical time of day on the Kenyan Coast. The equatorial sun sinks low in the sky, and the waters of the Indian Ocean become golden, as flocks of seabirds return to shore.
This programme is available to visitors staying at hotels in the Mombasa or South Coast area, and can be booked directly or via your hotel. Overnight guests are also welcome to join the trip.
Your sundowner experience begins with collection by our vehicle in the afternoon from your hotel, by a professionally trained guide. We will drive you south to Shirazi, passing through pleasant rural areas and along country roads, stopping along the way to point out areas of interest, birds and wildlife.
On arrival at Paradise Lost, you will be greeted with a cool refreshing drink before being briefed on the evening’s programme. You are free to explore the grounds and visit the 11th Century ruins of the Shirazi Mosque, and learn about the history of the region.
You will walk along the mangrove jetty to board our traditional Swahili sailing dhow. The dhow has a full crew and also guides for your trip.
As you set sail on the calm waters, perfectly timed to take in the sunset, you enjoy a sundowner cocktail of sparkling wine and watch the day end from the dhow. You sail along the estuaries viewing the villages and birdlife, and may even be lucky enough to glimpse a family of dolphins frolicking aside the dhow. As darkness approaches, you can join the crew singing traditional songs as you make your way back to Paradise Lost.
On arrival, you will be welcomed for a candlelit six-course dinner at our restaurant, with fresh sea foods direct from the Indian Ocean. You can relax and enjoy a leisurely dinner while you are entertained by local musicians, before being driven in comfort back to your hotel.
Our guides speak English, French and German. Special diets can be catered for.
To make a booking or an enquiry please Contact Us
Day DhowTrip
Our full day programme for visitors blends culture, history, scenery, wildlife, adventure, relaxation and fine dining - all within a single day.
This programme is available as an excursion for visitors staying at hotels in the Mombasa or South Coast area, and can be booked directly or via your hotel. Overnight guests are also welcome to join the trip.
Your day will begin with collection from your hotel in our vehicle, by a professionally trained guide. We will drive you south to Shirazi, passing through pleasant rural areas and along country roads, stopping along the way to point out areas of interest, and the birds and other wildlife.
On arrival at Paradise Lost, you will be greeted with a cool, refreshing drink before being briefed on the day’s programme. You are free to explore the grounds and visit the 11th Century ruins of the Shirazi Mosque, and learn about the history of the region.
You will then be taken on an escorted tour of Shirazi village. The community that surrounds Paradise Lost is a world away from the fast-paced life of the South Coast resorts, and the local people warmly welcome visitors to their homes.
Visiting the village, you will see life as it is lived every day. You will visit some typical homes, see women at work weaving “makuti” rooftops and bringing home water from the wells, while the men build huts, tend goats and harvest crops.
You’ll see how traditional foods are prepared, and try your hand at pounding the cassava flour, roasting cashews and harvesting coconuts.
The children are very friendly and will join you as you tour the village, making sure you are welcomed and enjoy your visit. A selection of local handicraft items is available for sale, including carvings, textiles and natural candles. Alternatively, you can purchase unusual crafts from the rest of Africa from “The Duka” a little handicraft shop situated at Paradise Lost.
From the village you will walk along the mangrove jetty to board our traditional Swahili sailing dhow. The dhow has a full crew and also guides for your trip.
As you set sail on the calm waters, you will enjoy a traditional coastal breakfast of mandazis, samosas and fresh tropical fruit, accompanied by local spiced masala tea and Kenyan coffee.
As we reach the Indian Ocean, the dhow is anchored at a small sand island that rises from the sea with the low tides. This is an idyllic spot to swim, relax and enjoy the glorious sunshine, sea breezes and warm crystal clear waters.
You will be free to take your time on the island, and when you are ready, our special motorized canoes will take you on an adventurous ride up the Ramisi River.
This is a great way to explore these winding channels and mangroves, and a unique and unobtrusive means of observing the birds and other wildlife of the area. The riverbanks are home to herons, waders and brightly coloured malachite kingfishers. In the overhead forest canopies, monkeys and baboons are often seen.
The river has plenty of crocodiles, and you will have a chance to experience a close encounter with these impressive predators in their natural habitat.
The journey will take you past many small fishing villages where fishermen ply the waters in dugout canoes and build traditional fish-traps along the shore.
You will return from your river adventure with the tides, and enjoy a refreshing drink as the dhow sails back to Paradise lost, with the crew singing traditional songs as they make their way home.
On arrival, you will enjoy a sumptuous late lunch of fresh seafood direct from the Indian Ocean. You can relax, take a swim in the pool and enjoy the rest of the afternoon, before being driven in comfort back to your hotel.
Our guides speak English, French and German. Special diets can be catered for.
To make a booking or an enquiry please Contact Us.
