Message from Hon. Adam Sheikh - CEC ICT & TourismAs CEC in charge of Tourism, I extend my sincere congratulations

to the Kwale County Government and its people as we celebrate Diani Beach’s achievement in being voted Africa’s Leading Beach Destination 2014 at the World Travel Awards. As a county, we are committed to ensuring that the promotion of tourism is a key component in our economic and social agenda given its proven role in stimulating inclusive economic growth, employment generation and social cohesion. Recently announced initiatives of the County Government include: street lighting; Diani Beach beautification; the Beach Management Program; and Kaya conservation.

I wish to laud South Coast Hoteliers and operators some of whom were voted best in their chosen fields - Leopard Beach Resort & Spa scooped three prestigious awards. It is with pride that I also congratulate KAHC, KATO, MCTA, SCRA and Colobus trust, to mention a few, without which this award might not have been possible. We at the Department of Tourism are extremely proud to have these organisations as our partners and look forward to celebrating more achievements together in the future.

To all our friends and well wishers, please join us in our moment of joy to celebrate the news of being voted the Leading Beach Destination in Africa at the recent World Travel Awards.

The judges at the Awards could not have chosen a better candidate for the top position because Destination Kwale, as our brand name goes, is indeed a world class tourist product.

This time round we beat other leading beach destinations in Africa such as Bazaruto of Mozambique, Cape Town of South Africa, Plettenberg Bay of South Africa, Sharm El Sheikh of Egypt, Taba Heights in Sinai, Egypt, and Zanzibar of Tanzania.

As a County our focus is not only on increasing tourist numbers and attracting investors but on empowering and enriching our people through quality education, skill development and job creation. Our commitment is also found in the provision of adequate housing, infrastructure, security and healthcare. Through public participation, communities in the County are now involved in decisions that affect their land and culture. The citizens will also be the first to reap the rewards of their involvement in various development activities. Our citizens are beginning to feel proud to call Kwale County their home as a result of public-private consultation and partnership.

Long Live Destination Kwale.

A county blessed with enchanting culture, rich natural resources and Africa’s most spectacular coastline

Destination Kwale

‘Africa’s Leading Beach Destination’ boasts many award-winning resorts.

Between February and April, visitors staying on Diani can enjoy incredible whale shark safaris. The whale shark is the world’s largest fish and the expeditions are an opportunity for guests to mingle with scientists as they go through the rigorous exercise of whale shark tagging.

The Sable Antelope’s horns can grow to five-and-a-half feet. With these lethal weapons, a Sable will fend off predators such as lion.

Inset: The Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is community-owned.

Message from H.E. Governor Salim Mvurya The former Coast Province, Kwale County is located in Kenya’s South East corner following the magical coastline from the south of Mombasa to the Tanzanian border. It also borders Taita Taveta to the West, Kilifi to the North, Mombasa to the Northeast and the Indian Ocean to the

East. As well as being home to Diani Beach, Kwale’s fertile land is ideal for agriculture and livestock as well as rich in minerals and ores which have attracted several multinational firms. This unique combination of natural beauty and natural resources, combined with the visionary leadership of the Executive team, ensures Kwale is well placed to achieve its development goals as well as the national agenda. As Kwale strives to become a testament to the benefits of devolution, the County Governor, H.E. Salim Mvurya is clear on his mandate: “To improve the prosperity and quality of life of all Kwale’s citizens.”

Visit Kenya, Visit KwaleThere is no doubt that Kwale is best known for its world-famous tourist

attractions. Diani Beach, voted Africa’s Leading Beach Destination at the 2014 World Travel Awards, has long been a haven for sun-worshippers and water-sports enthusiasts as have Galu and Chale beaches, the marine parks and the idyllic Wasini and Funzi islands. The private sector has been instrumental in this success story and the 2014 World Travel Awards proved to be a tribute to the commitment and resilience of South Coast hoteliers and operators: Africa’s Leading Spa Resort, Kenya’s Leading Resort and Kenya’s Leading Beach Resort are all located on Diani.

Gazetted in 1968, Shimba Hills National Reserve was established to protect the water catchment and contribute to tourism revenue. Today, the conservation of biodiversity has become equally, if not more important. The Reserve and adjoining Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary are established tourist attractions boasting the highest density of African elephant in Kenya as well as being home to the rare Sable antelope.

Kwale aims to build on its solid foundations as a tourism destination. There are clear opportunities for growth through improving the current infrastructure, product diversification and effective marketing. Kwale offers so many under-exploited attractions: the Shimoni & Fikirini caves; the Congo mosques & Vanga ruins; Sheldrick Falls & Maji Moto Springs; and the fascinating kayas - the sacred forests declared National Monuments.

The land of opportunityKwale’s numerous investment opportunities are addressed in the County

Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and the county’s 2013-2017 Flagship Projects. The CIDP mirrors the aspirations of Kenya’s national development strategy, Vision 2030 and its Medium Term Plan. The CIDP also sets out the County’s plans for infrastructure development, education, health, security and the creation of an enabling environment that will stimulate growth.

Enormous opportunities lie in agricultural production and agro-processing. For example, despite growing approx. 4.7 million coconut trees in Kwale in 2013, Kenya is still a net importer of coconut products, especially oil. Mangoes, pineapples, cashew nuts and other crops lack processing capacity. Oil crops such as sunflower, cotton, simsim, groundnuts and macadamia nuts should be produced to supplement coconut oil and emerging crops such as Jatropha, Aloe Vera and Vanilla - which grow well in the county - need to be aggressively promoted. In terms of livestock, 80% of Kwale county lies in arid and semiarid lands suitable for livestock rearing. And even though Kwale is blessed with a 250km coastline, its annual fish production accounts for only 5% of the national fish production.

Kwale County is richly endowed with extractive resources including: silica sand; building stones and sand; limestone; iron ore; titanium; coal and rare earths; gold; gemstones; and oil. On-going mining activities include the exploitation of limestone at Waa by Coast Calcium Ltd. and titanium mining at Nguluku and Mrima by Base Titanium Ltd. The Canadian firm, Pacific Wildcat Resources Corp. and its partner Cortec Mining Kenya are prospecting for niobium at Mrima Hills and have found huge deposits of this rare mineral. There is clearly tremendous potential in continued exploration and exploitation of Kwale’s deposits, though prime consideration will always be given to the health and safety of the local communities as well as the preservation of the environment as stipulated in the Kenyan Constitution.

Our stakeholders: Our peopleKwale’s promising future goes beyond increasing tourist numbers and

attracting investors. The County’s mission is to empower and enrich its citizens through education, skill development and job creation, while providing adequate housing, infrastructure, security and healthcare. Communities will not only be involved in decisions that affect their land and culture, they will be the first to reap the benefits. This approach will create a society where all are equal and proud to call Kwale their home.

info@kwale.go.ke www.kwalecountygov.com

Kwale

Mombasa

Indian Ocean

Msambweni

Kinango

Lunga Lunga Ukunda

MatugaShimba Hills

National Reserve

MwaluganjeElephant Sanctuary

KENYA

Kwale County Area: 8,270 sq. kmsPop’n: 649,931 (2009)

Message from H.E. Deputy Governor Fatuma AchaniThe County Government of Kwale is

committed to providing enabling environment for the tourism sector to thrive. We are, for instance, working with relevant partners to ensure there is good, reliable infrastructure that investors in the tourism sector would appreciate.

There are more than 22 tourist class hotels in the County with a bed capacity of more than

5,100. The County has high potential for investment in the hospitality industry in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 whose flagship project for the County is on tourism. Some of the projects are the Dongo Kundu by-pass, marina and cruise ship facility at Shimoni, upgrading of Ukunda Airstrip to a fully fledged Airport and the recently launched street lighting in Diani Beach, are but some of the enablers for the tourism sector.

I believe the soft, white sands, world-class beach hotels, elegant guest houses, upscale cottages and glamorous villas earned us the top position at the World Travel Awards where Diani was voted the leading beach destination in Africa. We have worked for it and we deserve it.

It is truly Destination Kwale.

The vision, passion and commitment to succeed

Explore Amazing Diani BeachVoted ‘Africa’s Leading Beach Destination 2014’ at the recently concluded World Travel Awards, Diani Beach on Kenya’s South Coast is the jewel in Kenya’s crown. Ten kilometres of palm-fringed coastline meets the calm, warm waters of the Indian Ocean creating a picture-postcard holiday destination. A choice of world-class resorts, hotels, apartments and private villas cater to a range of budgets and the excellent accommodation is complemented by equally impressive retail, dining and entertainment facilities.

And there’s so much more to Diani than just miles of perfect beach. The coral reef ensures calm waters, ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving as well as range of water-sports including windsurfing, sailing and Kenya’s latest craze, kitesurfing. Of course, Diani is also a gateway to Kwale’s many other attractions. Popular day-trips include: Wasini Island, where visitors can swim with dolphins; Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park; and between February and April, once-in-a-lifetime whale shark safaris. Inland from Diani lies Shimba Hills National Reserve - home of the endangered Sable Antelope - as well as the fascinating Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary.

Come and Discover Diani - so much more than just a beach.

County Government of Kwale Department of Tourism and ICTP.O. Box 4 - 80403 Kwale Tel: 0711 369836 email: info@kwale.go.ke website: www.kwalecountygov.com