Of Chows and Dhows

Diani Beach is one of my favourite coastal destinations in Kenya, and every visit reminds me why it’s such a popular holiday spot. From the powdery white sand to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, it’s the kind of place that instantly puts you in holiday mode. On my most recent trip to the South Coast, I stayed at Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, and I had a genuinely fantastic time.

Baobab Beach Resort & Spa is a large all-inclusive beachfront resort in Diani, Kenya, recognised as Africa’s Leading Family Resort. It comprises three distinct wings- Baobab, Maridadi, and Kole Kole, spread across 80 acres and 700 metres of beachfront, with three pools, five restaurants, and direct access to two Indian Ocean beaches. Resident rates start from KES 15,600 per person per night. It suits families, couples, groups, and solo travellers seeking a relaxed, all-inclusive coastal escape accessible from Nairobi in under two hours by air.

I came to Baobab with no itinerary. No list of things to see. No time-blocked schedule. For someone who usually travels with a spreadsheet, that was uncomfortable in the best possible way. What followed was three days of pure relaxation and the quiet realisation that doing nothing is harder than it sounds, and more worth it than I expected.

If you’re searching for a beachfront, all-inclusive resort in Diani Beach, Baobab Beach Resort is one of the most established and well-known options, and after staying there myself, I can confidently say it lives up to its reputation.

Here is everything you need to know before you book.

Baobab Beach Resort & Spa, Diani Location

Baobab Beach Resort & Spa sits on a coral headland on Kenya’s South Coast, between Diani Beach and Galu Beach in Kwale County. It is one of the most accessible coastal resorts for travellers from Nairobi:

• By air: Approximately 45 minutes to Ukunda Airstrip, 10-15 minutes from the resort by road. Fly-in weekend trips from Nairobi are a common and worthwhile consideration.
• By road: Approximately 1.5 hours from Mombasa via the Likoni Ferry, or the Dongo Kundu bypass
• By train: Approximately 6 hours from Nairobi via the SGR to Mombasa and then about an hour by road transfer via the Dongo Kundu bypass

Airport transfers: The Resort offers airport pick-up and drop-off services; be sure to confirm availability and pricing directly when booking.

For international visitors, the nearest major airport is Moi International Airport in Mombasa, approximately 50 km away. Diani is well-served by both charter flights and scheduled services.

First Impressions: A Festive, Beachfront Welcome

One of the first things I noticed about Baobab Beach Resort is just how beautiful and expansive the property is. The Resort is spread out across lush tropical gardens, with winding pathways that make it feel like a coastal village rather than a single hotel.

During my stay, the resort was decorated with lovely Christmas decorations, which added a warm and festive atmosphere without feeling overwhelming. Combined with the ocean views and palm-lined grounds, it immediately felt like a proper holiday escape.

And of course, the beachfront location is a major highlight. The Resort opens up directly to the white sandy beach, with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean, perfect for morning walks, sunset views, or simply relaxing with the sound of the waves.

What sets Baobab apart from most Diani resorts is its scale and variety. The Resort is not one building or one pool; it has three distinct wings operating under one all-inclusive umbrella, spread across 80 acres of tropical gardens anchored by 50 ancient baobab trees, with 700 metres of beachfront along the Indian Ocean.

The Baobab Wing is the original property, the heart of the resort, closest to the main beach, and where most of the central entertainment and dining is based.

The Maridadi Wing offers a slightly more relaxed, boutique feel within the larger resort, popular with couples and guests seeking a quieter corner.

The Kole Kole Wing is the most family-oriented section, with easy access to the kids’ club and family-friendly facilities.

Each wing has its own pool and restaurant, meaning you can spend an entire day without retracing your steps, or spend three days wandering between all three and still find corners you haven’t discovered. I didn’t plan which wing to visit when. I just walked until somewhere felt right, and that approach worked perfectly for the kind of trip I was on.

Rooms at Baobab Beach Resort: Spacious and Comfortable

The rooms at Baobab Beach Resort are spacious, comfortable, thoughtfully laid out, and beautifully decorated with a coastal touch, making them ideal for both short and longer stays. After long days spent by the pool or beach, it was always nice coming back to a room that felt calm and relaxing.

The rooms are well-maintained and functional, with enough space to unwind without feeling cramped. Whether you’re staying in a garden-view room or one overlooking the ocean, comfort is clearly a priority here.

All rooms across the three wings are en-suite, air-conditioned, and non-smoking, with private balconies or terraces, flat-screen satellite television, in-room coffee and tea making facilities, a mini-fridge, electronic safe, hair dryer, and complimentary Wi-Fi. There are five room categories:

• Garden Rooms- Double or twin singles
• Sea Facing Rooms- Double or twin singles
• Sea Front Rooms- Double or twin singles
• Superior Rooms- Queen or twin queens
• Deluxe Rooms- King bed
• Junior Suites- Super king bed

Superior Rooms and above include a lounge area with a sofa and coffee table, and day loungers on the balcony. Junior Suites add a private in-room Jacuzzi and bathrobes. Ocean-view rooms: Sea Facing and Sea Front are the most popular and worth booking well in advance, particularly for peak season travel.

Inter-connecting rooms are available, making the resort particularly well-suited for families and group bookings travelling together. Disabled access rooms are also available. Rooms are comfortable and well-appointed. The real luxury here is the location, the scale of the grounds, and the variety of what surrounds you.

Dining at Baobab Beach Resort: All-Inclusive and Satisfying

One of the biggest perks of staying at Baobab Beach Resort is that it’s fully all-inclusive, which makes it especially appealing if you want a stress-free holiday. With three main restaurants (one per wing) and multiple bars across the property, you are unlikely to eat in the same place twice unless you choose to.

Restaurants Included in All-Inclusive

• Karibu Restaurant- the main buffet in the Baobab Wing, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with themed buffets each evening of the week.
• Jodari Restaurant- beachfront buffet dining with Indian Ocean views. Dinners here have a particular atmosphere, the kind that turns a meal into a moment. Arrive without a schedule and leave when you feel like it.
• Maridadi Restaurant- open-air casual dining under palm trees in the Maridadi Wing, with a more relaxed, garden atmosphere.

Speciality Dining (Additional Charge)

• Tangezi Restaurant- fresh seafood and grilled specialities with ocean views. Open 7:00 pm-11:00 pm, reservations recommended.
• Maharaja Restaurant- Pan Asian fusion cuisine, open 7:00 pm-11:00 pm. A useful change of pace if you want something different from the buffet spread.

Meal Hours (All-Inclusive Restaurants)

Breakfast: 7:00 am- 10:00 am

Snacks- 11:00 am- 5:00 pm

Afternoon Tea- 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm

Lunch- 12:30 pm- 2:00 pm

Dinner- 7:00 pm- 9:30 pm 

Bars

The Resort has multiple bars across the property: the Jambo Swim-Up Pool Bar, the TapaTapa Bar (open until midnight), the Suli Suli Bar, the Kipepeo Bar (open 10:00 am- 6:00 pm for beverages and snacks), and the Porini Bar at the Amphitheatre, where drinks are all-inclusive until midnight and chargeable after. The swim-up bar is exactly what it sounds like: you swim to it, and it is, in the best possible way, the reason no one leaves the pool.

Three relaxation lounges: the Sultan Lounge, Suli Suli Lounge, and Swahili Lounge are open all day for guests wanting a quieter space away from the pool and beach.

The Food

The food throughout my stay was excellent. Meals are served buffet-style, and I was impressed by both the quality and variety of food on offer. There’s something for everyone, with a good mix of local and international dishes, and the menus change often enough, making the dining experience fresh and exciting.

Breakfasts are hearty, lunches are relaxed, and dinners feel like a proper sit-down experience, even when served buffet-style.

Please note that swimwear is not permitted in the restaurants. Smart casual is preferred for dinner. Pack at least one dinner outfit if you’re coming straight from the beach.

Pools, Chill Spots & Resort Atmosphere

Baobab Beach Resort has three gorgeous swimming pools in each of the wings, including dedicated children’s pools. Each pool has its own character and surrounding atmosphere. The main Baobab Wing pool is the largest and liveliest; the Maridadi and Kole Kole pools offer a quieter experience.

Whether you’re looking to lounge quietly, enjoy views of the ocean, or be closer to entertainment and activities, there’s a pool for that.

What I really appreciated was the abundance of chill spots around the resort. There are plenty of shaded areas, loungers, garden spaces, and seating corners where you can read, nap, or simply enjoy the coastal breeze. Despite the resort’s size, it never felt crowded or chaotic.

Activities, Entertainment & Things to Do

While Baobab Beach Resort is perfect for relaxing, there’s also plenty to keep you entertained if you prefer an active holiday.

Beach Access

Direct access to both Diani Beach and Galu Beach, two stretches of white-sand Indian Ocean coastline with different energies. Diani is more activity-focused; Galu is quieter. Having both available without leaving the resort is one of Baobab’s genuine advantages.

On-Site Activities

The Resort offers:

• Fully equipped gym, two floodlit tennis courts, table tennis, archery, beach volleyball, pool and billiards, darts, boccia, shuffleboard, aqua fit, and aerobics classes- all included in the all-inclusive rate.
• Evening entertainment runs nightly with live animation shows, traditional dancers, and acrobatic performances, with late nights at the Porini Amphitheatre Bar.
• A supervised Rafiki Kids’ Club and babysitting services (charged separately) make the resort particularly workable for families with young children.
• Water Sports & Excursions (Additional Charge, Third-Party Providers)
• The following can be arranged on site through third-party operators: snorkelling, SCUBA diving (PADI certified), glass-bottom boat excursions, windsurfing, kite surfing, jet skis, and big-game deep-sea fishing. Golf is available at a nearby golf course.
• Conference Facilities: For corporate groups, Baobab has three dedicated spaces: the Porini Conference room, the Swahili Board Room, and the Taffi Meeting Room, all charged separately from the all-inclusive rate.
• A spa:The Afya Bora Spa & Wellness Centre offers massages, facials, steam baths, and hydro-bath treatments. Spa services are charged separately from the all-inclusive rate.

Water Sports & Excursions

Baobab can also organise water sports and tours around Diani and the wider South Coast, making it easy to explore beyond the resort. Whether you want to try something adventurous or go sightseeing, the concierge team helps arrange everything seamlessly. Other excursions and water sports can be arranged through third-party providers on site. The resort also offers convenient connections to safari destinations, including Amboseli, Tsavo, and the Maasai Mara, for guests wishing to combine coast and safari.

Glass Bottom Boat Excursion

We booked this excursion through a local captain who approached us at the beach, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our stay. The captain dives below the boat to attract protected fish species, such as zebra fish, star fish, sea urchins, and others, visible through the glass from inside the boat. The boat docks at a sandbank in the middle of the ocean where the water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom. Some guests swim; others snorkel. It is, by any measure, doing nothing, just a different kind of nothing. Book this. You won’t regret it. We paid KES 3,500 for a group of five.

Service & Hospitality

The staff at Baobab Beach Resort were genuinely lovely, warm, and welcoming. From check-in to dining and entertainment, the service was consistently friendly and professional. It’s the kind of hospitality that makes you feel comfortable and well taken care of throughout your stay.

Who Should Stay at Baobab Beach Resort?

Baobab Beach Resort is especially well suited for:

• Weekend trips from Nairobi: The proximity to Ukunda Airstrip makes Baobab one of the easiest coastal escapes from the capital. Fly out Friday morning, fly back Sunday evening, and you have two full days of the Indian Ocean. It works.
• Families: Inter-connecting rooms, a kids’ club, children’s pools, themed buffets, and supervised entertainment make Baobab one of the most genuinely family-friendly resorts on the South Coast.
• Groups and corporate retreats: The scale of the resort, three wings, conference facilities, multiple dining and entertainment options, makes it well-suited for groups that want variety within a single booking.
• Couples seeking activity alongside relaxation: The resort is lively enough that you will never be bored, but large enough that you can always find quiet. It strikes an unusual balance: social when you want it, private when you need it.
• Solo travellers and small groups: Three days here alone taught me that a resort this size never feels isolating, there are always people, always movement, always something happening in a different corner. The solo experience is better than you might expect.

What Baobab is not: If you are looking for a small boutique property with minimal guests and absolute seclusion, this is not that resort. Its scale is a feature, not a limitation, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Final Verdict: Is Baobab Beach Resort Worth It?

Yes, I loved my stay at Baobab Beach Resort. The combination of a beachfront location, spacious grounds, good food, friendly staff, and endless amenities makes it a solid and reliable choice for anyone visiting Diani Beach.I came back to Nairobi fully relaxed and ready to take on the World. I’ll definitely be back.

I reckon that Baobab is worth it, with a clear understanding of what it is.

Baobab Beach Resort delivers reliable all-inclusive value, an extraordinary location between two beaches, excellent food variety, and enough to do that you never feel the need to leave the resort.

It is not the smallest or the most intimate resort in Diani. But its scale is precisely what makes it work: three wings, three pools, three restaurants, and 80 acres of tropical garden mean that two people could stay for three days and experience the Resort entirely differently. I explored it on the last morning, properly, without an agenda, and still found corners I hadn’t been to.

If you’re planning a vacation to the South Coast and want an all-inclusive resort where you can truly relax without worrying about logistics, Baobab Beach Resort is definitely worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baobab Beach Resort Diani

Is Baobab Beach Resort all-inclusive?
Yes. Baobab Beach Resort & Spa operates on an all-inclusive basis, covering meals, selected drinks, pools, and most resort activities. Excursions, spa treatments, and speciality dining are charged separately.

How far is Baobab from Nairobi?
By air, approximately 45 minutes to Ukunda Airstrip plus a 10-15 minute road transfer to the resort. By road and SGR, allow 6 hours total from Nairobi.

Is Baobab Beach Resort good for families?
Yes, it is one of the most family-friendly resorts in Diani, with a kids’ club, children’s pools, inter-connecting rooms, and child-friendly buffet dining throughout the day.

Can you do a day trip to the sandbank from Baobab?
The glass-bottom boat and sandbank excursion is available to resort guests and can be arranged through the resort or third-party operators on site. It is a half-day excursion, typically returning in time for lunch.

What is the difference between the Baobab, Maridadi, and Kole Kole wings?
Each wing is a distinct property with its own pool, restaurant, and atmosphere. The Baobab Wing is the liveliest and most central; Maridadi is quieter and well-suited for couples; Kole Kole is the most family-oriented. Guests can use facilities across all three wings regardless of which they are booked into.

Does Baobab Beach Resort have Wi-Fi?
Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi is available across the resort and in all rooms.

What is the best time to visit Baobab in Diani?
January to March and July to October are generally considered the best months for the Kenyan coast, warm, sunny, and outside the main rainy seasons (April-June and November). December is peak season and the most expensive, but the resort goes all out with Christmas decorations, and the atmosphere at night is genuinely special.

Does Baobab accept Mpesa?
Yes, Mpesa is accepted alongside Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and cash in KES, USD, GBP, and Euros.

Is there a dress code at Baobab?
Swimwear is not permitted in any of the restaurants. Smart casual is preferred for dinner. Pack at least one dinner outfit if you’re coming from the beach.

Baobab Beach Resort Prices (2026)

Baobab operates on a dynamic pricing model, so rates vary by season, wing, and room type. The prices below are indicative resident rates (Kenya citizen and East Africa resident pricing). Always confirm current pricing directly with the resort or an authorised booking partner before planning.

Indicative Resident All-Inclusive Rates (Per Person Per Night, Sharing)

Low season (May- June)- From KES 15,600
Mid-season (January – April, July- August)- KES 16,000- 19,000

Peak season (December, school holidays)- KES 24,000- 30,000+

*Rates are subject to change. Always verify directly with the resort.*

For International Visitors

Non-resident rates (applicable to international travellers) are priced in USD and typically range from approximately USD 120-250 per person per night, depending on season and room type. Check directly with Baobab or an international booking platform for current non-resident pricing.

What Is Included in All-Inclusive

– Buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner
– Selected soft drinks, juices, local beer, wine, and spirits throughout the day
– Snacks and afternoon tea
– Access to all three pools and beach areas
– Daily entertainment and animation programmes
– Use of non-motorised water sports equipment
– Kids’ club access

What Is Not Included

Spa treatments, premium spirits, speciality à la carte dining experiences, motorised water sports, excursions, and boutique purchases are charged separately.

Child Pricing

– Children aged 0-2: complimentary when sharing with adults
– Children aged 3-11: discounted child all-inclusive rates apply

Book your Stay

Ready to book? Check availability and current rates here.

Direct Resort contact:
Tel: +254 709 154 000 | +254 733 333 303
Email: [email protected]
GPS: 4° 20′ 13.12″ S, 39° 34′ 08.29″ E


I visited in 2025. All prices are indicative and subject to change; always confirm directly with the resort before booking. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you book through my link.

Have you been to Baobab before? Let me know in the comments

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Mombasa, check this place out. For budget-friendly stays in Diani, check these places out here and here. Lastly, if you’re looking for a secluded place to vacation, this place in Lamu is perfect.

Thanks for stopping by, and see you on the next one!