Modern accommodation with a great vibe
A well-appointed hotel with luxurious touches
Location: Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa enjoys a prime beachfront position on the northern shores of Mombasa, along the popular Bamburi Beach. It’s one of the best-known beach resorts in Kenya and a long-standing favourite for families, couples, and conference guests alike. The location combines easy access from Mombasa’s airport and railway with a lively coastal setting - ideal for those who want a classic Indian Ocean beach holiday with a full-service resort feel.
Rooms: With over 300 rooms and suites, the accommodation at Whitesands is extensive and varied. You can choose from garden-facing rooms, sea-view rooms, or upgrade to the more spacious Palm or Presidential Suites. Interiors are light and coastal in style, with private balconies or terraces, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and all the creature comforts you'd expect. The beachfront rooms are particularly popular, offering sweeping views and direct access to the sand.
Amenities: Sarova Whitesands is packed with facilities, making it one of the most comprehensive beach resorts in Kenya. There are five swimming pools (including a quiet adults-only pool and a waterslide for children), a well-equipped gym, a serene spa offering a range of treatments, and several restaurants and bars serving everything from fresh seafood to international buffets. There's also a lively beachfront bar, a kids’ club, conference facilities, and on-site boutiques - everything’s designed to keep you relaxed, entertained, or productive depending on your needs.
Activities: Whether you're after activity or relaxation, there’s plenty to do. Water sports are a big draw, with snorkelling, diving, jet skiing, and glass-bottom boat rides all available through nearby operators. On land, you can enjoy beach volleyball, evening entertainment, or head out on a Mombasa city tour to explore the Old Town and Fort Jesus. The hotel also arranges excursions to local attractions like Haller Park, or further afield to wildlife reserves for a coastal safari experience.
Sustainability: Sarova Hotels are committed to responsible tourism, and at Whitesands this includes waste and water management systems, use of energy-efficient appliances, and staff training in sustainable operations. The resort supports local suppliers and employs extensively from surrounding communities, helping to create jobs and invest in local livelihoods. There’s also a focus on marine conservation, given its beachfront setting, with guest education and community partnerships in place to help protect Kenya’s coastal ecosystems.
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Best places to stay in Mombasa
Mombasa Trip Inspiration
When to go to Kenya
Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.
February
February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.
March
Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.
April
April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.
May
The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.
June
June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.
July
July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.
August
The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.
September
Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.
October
October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.
November
November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.
December
The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.
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Tamara
Plan with an expert
Have a look at our original experiences and then contact us with your travel ideas, or call (888) 445-2912
A tailor-made itinerary just for you
Our experts will send you a detailed itinerary specified to your desires. It's our service promise to you.
Value guarantee
Tailor-made doesn't mean expensive! Ask about our price promise and book with financial security.
Plan with an expert
Have a look at our original experiences and then contact us with your travel ideas, or call (888) 445-2912
A tailor-made itinerary just for you
Our experts will send you a detailed itinerary specified to your desires. It's our service promise to you.
Value guarantee
Tailor-made doesn't mean expensive! Ask about our price promise and book with financial security.