REAL ECO-TOURISM AT THE COVE BEACH RESORT, KENYA

MEDIA RELEASE: 25 JUNE 2006

 REAL ECO-TOURISM AT THE COVE BEACH RESORT, KENYA

KENYA’S MOST EXCLUSIVE BEACH LOCATION IS A TRUE ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION

 It’s lunchtime. You’re lying on your private deck idly watching the postcard-blue of an unruffled sea and the almost untouched coastal forest that spreads out to your left and to your right. Groves of baobab and tutu trees line the white powder of the beach. A fish eagle is calling. And a traditional dugout canoe has just smoothed its way onto the sand – and that tells you that the local fishermen have brought home their catch. But the idea of getting up to make lunch is almost too much to bear. So you put up your white flag (an essential part of your room’s inventory) – not because you’ve been defeated by the thought of getting up to go and buy your fish and cook your meal, but because you’d like your personal chef and butler to do it for you. The man who answers your signal is a Digo tribesman, a resident of the district and one of a community of people whose lives have been significantly and positively affected by the resort that’s got you so deeply relaxed. You’re benefiting, the environment is benefiting and the people who live in the area are benefiting from your holiday – and that’s true eco-tourism. A stable economy, friendly, welcoming cultures and a rich and varied natural environment have secured Kenya’s position as Africa’s premier tourism destination. The advance of mass tourism, though, has its down-side – and this was something that the developers of The Cove at Kinondo Beach (90 minutes south of Mombasa) strongly wanted to avoid. But, having had success with their Sable Sanctuary Tree Houses near the Shimba Hills National Reserve, they’d shown that tourism can be sensitive and beneficial to both the natural environment and its people.  And so they chose to build their newest attraction, The Cove, in a 30-acre forest near Diani on the southernmost part of Kenya’s 500 km-long coastline.  It’s an area that’s been largely unaffected by tourism, and the owners of The Cove intend to keep it that way: buildings and facilities have been placed in natural clearings and construction was carefully monitored to ensure minimal damage to the surrounding bush.  The lack of tourism before the opening of the resort had its negative effects, and, with no development in the area, the Digo were forced to rely on subsistence fishing and farming. In addition, the closest medical help was a day’s walk away and the women of the tribe spent many hours walking to and from their only source of fresh water. All of this is changing now: the presence of The Cove has created sustainable employment opportunities (more than 50% of resort staff are members of the local tribe), water has been piped to the village and advanced plans have been laid for the construction of a clinic. And, for the benefit of the fishermen – who supply both The Cove and other, nearby hotels – the developers have erected a building which serves as an informal fish market and as a place to store and repair canoes. 

From the environmental perspective, The Cove is situated near to a number of national reserves and the closest reef, Kinondo, has the highest number of species – and offers the best chance of seeing pelagic species – of any reef on Kenya’s South Coast. With more than 250 colourful types of fish – from morays to placid, plankton-eating whale sharks and from large schools of barracuda and dolphins to silvery shoals of yellow- and blue-lined snappers – Kinondo is the perfect snorkelling and diving destination.

 A little to the south – at Shimoni – the Kisite and Mpunguti Marine National Parks offer beautiful coral gardens and excellent sightings of dolphins, fresh water porpoises and, in season, migratory humpback whales. 

But the sea isn’t the only attraction in the area and, in true Kenyan style, game viewing is an intriguing part of any holiday at The Cove – where the botanically rich coastal forests are home to black and white colobus monkeys, serval cats, red duiker and Suni antelope.

 A little further afield, herds of elephant, giraffe and buffalo – and the rare and handsome sable antelope – can be seen on the rolling grasslands of the Shimba Hills National Reserve (40 minutes from Kinondo Beach). You could choose to view the animals on a drive to the dramatic Sheldrick’s Falls – or you could take advantage of The Cove’s special circuit rate at the Sable Sanctuary Tree Houses and stay overnight to watch for sable and elephant from the comfort of your own, private balcony.  Back at The Cove, there’s a fresh water swimming pool, a relaxation centre, an Arabian-style beach restaurant and bar and, of course, the beach itself. But, with air-conditioned rooms fitted with luxurious inside-outside bathrooms and oversized four-poster beds – swagged with mosquito nets – and with each Tree House complete with its own spa bath, lounge, deck and dining area, you may well want to raise your red flag and signal to your butler (and to everyone else) that you don’t – under any circumstances – wish to be disturbed. The Cove at Kinondo Beach, Kenya – www.roveafrica.net ENDS – 881 WORDS IMAGES & MORE INFORMATION: Michael JamesRovE Africa, Islands & Safaris Roving Africa since 1995  Tel:  +27(0)11 453 2790 or +27(0)11454 0318Fax:  +27(0)11 453 2892info@roveafrica.co.za www.roveafrica.net  ·           ACCESS: Direct flights to Mombasa from the UK and South Africa – or fly into Nairobi and catch an hour-long connecting flight to Mombasa. By road: The Cove is 90 minutes drive south of Mombasa International Airport.·           ACCOMMODATION: Six custom-designed Tree Houses situated on a tree-lined beachfront. Air conditioned bedrooms with gauze-draped four-poster beds, spa baths, ‘inside-outside’ bathrooms, bars, sun decks and private relaxation and dining areas.·           BUTLER SERVICES: Meals can be served in your Tree House or at The Cove’s beach-front restaurant. Butler service is controlled by a simple signal system: Red Flag = do not disturb; White Flag = service please. ·           RESTAURANT: The Cove’s sunken ‘relax’ restaurant – with panoramic views of the sea – serves a fusion of Arabian and Swahili Cuisine. ·           DE-STRESS CENTRE: for reflexology and aromatherapy massages.·           WATER SPORTS: The Cove has an infinity swimming pool, boogie boards, windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling. A professional dive base and deep-sea or reef fishing charters are available nearby. Diving and snorkelling at Kinondo Reef – known for its whale sharks and its variety of dolphins – are among the best in Kenya.·           EXTRAS: Forest- and beach walks. Visit the community at Kinondo Village; visit Kaya Forest (a National Museum Heritage site) and Kisite and Mpunguti Marine Parks.