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Where in Diani are you located?
From Ukunda, turn right at the Carrefour supermarket crossroads to enter Diani. After about 6 kilometers, turn left when you reach "KFI supermarket." This is immediately before the tarmac road becomes narrow and shortly after a speed bump. On the right-hand side of the road, you can see our sign. Our gate is on the right after about 150 meters after following this road. It's impossible to miss!
How can I travel to Diani?
Depending on your starting point, of course! You can travel here by road, rail, or air from Nairobi.Air: Taking one of the numerous flights that depart from both Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta Airport directly to the Diani airstrip is by far the fastest way to get here from Nairobi. You will only need a few minutes after landing to reach our gate and get a drink at the bar. Both Jambojet and Skyscanner have information about flights.
Road or Rail: You can reserve a number of buses in Nairobi that will take you on a "adventurous" 10 to 12-hour drive through the night to Mombasa. Of course, this is a possibility, but the new SGR Compared to other options, the train from 2017 is significantly safer, faster, and generally less expensive. In a little more than 4 hours during the day, the SGR travels through stunning landscapes and national parks from Nairobi to Mombasa.
Here you may learn more about the SGR and purchase tickets. You can take a taxi from Mombasa; the driver would know where to take you. You can also take a boda, tuk tuk, or matatu to the Likoni ferry, cross on foot, and then repeat the process to go to Diani on the other side. Of course, we can assist you with making travel arrangements. Just cry out to us! Do you provide airport or airport runway pickup service? We can set up a meet and greet. You will be picked up at Diani Airstrip or Mombasa Airport. Once you've reserved your stay with us, just let us know so we can make the necessary arrangements. Give us your flight information, and we'll make sure your ride is there when you arrive! The cost is 600 Kenyan Shillings from the Diani Airstrip and 4,000 from the Mombasa Airport.
Do you offer airport/airstrip pickup service?
Yes, we can arrange a meet and greet pickup from Mombasa Airport or Diani Airstrip for you. Just let us know after you’ve booked your stay with us so we can arrange it for you. Provide us with flight details and we’ll make sure your ride will be waiting for you! The price from the Diani Airstrip is 600 ksh, and 4000 from the Mombasa airport.
What is your booking and cancellation policy?
This depends on the channel that you booked through. Please check the respective booking site to find out. If you’ve booked directly via us, you can modify or cancel any booking free of charge up to 72 hours before arrival. After which point any changes or cancellation will be charged at 100% of the reservation price. In case of no shows, 100% of the reservation price will be charged. We require a 50% deposit to confirm any reservations.
What is the average age of guests at Diani Backpackers and are certain age groups excluded?
We are proud to say that people from all age groups enjoy staying with us. The age group that is most heavily represented is 18-35 but we often welcome guests of more ‘senior’ ages that have an equally great time with us. Unfortunately, due to regulations we can’t allow children under the age of 16 to stay overnight. In the daytime they are most welcome though if accompanied by an adult.
Can I pay by credit/debit card at Diani Backpackers?
Yes you can. We accept all major credit and debit cards. The bank charges a fee of 4% when you pay by card though. We have no control over that so don’t hate us for it!
Can I pay cash and which currencies do you accept?
Yes you can pay with cash. We accept Kenyan Shillings.
Can I pay via Mpesa?
Of course!
Do you exchange money?
We do not, however there are many banks in Diani where Forex is available.
Can I run a tab for drinks at the bar and food?
That is indeed how we roll! Everything you consume during your stay will be added to your tab which you will pay for at the end of every week.
Are there other money exchange offices in Diani?
There aren't currently any Forex bureaus in Diani, however most banks exchange currencies.
Do the rates include breakfast or any other meals?
Our rates do not include breakfast or any other meals but the chefs in our kitchen can whip you up a mean meal of any kind for very friendly prices! You can find all of our food and drinks menus here. All prices are inclusive of 16%VAT and 2% Catering Levy.
Where are your private rooms?
The private rooms are both inside the main house and throughout our beautiful garden. Inside the house the en-suite privates are decked out with a king size bed and all the other fancy stuff you need including air conditioning, and hot water. The outside privates are cozy little cottages with Queen size beds, mosquito net and fan. Check out the details of our private rooms here.
Where are your dorms?
The Dorms are both inside the main house and outside in the garden. We have a lot of choice, depending on how close you want to be to the action! There are photos and descriptions of all of our rooms just above the FAQ section.
Do you have a kitchen where I can prepare my own food?
Unfortunately we don’t, but the chefs in our kitchen are SUPERB and our prices are at a level that you’d be crazy to be slaving away in the kitchen yourself anyway! Our menus can he found here.
Do you serve meals?
Absolutely. Our professional chefs can cook meals with fresh ingredients from local suppliers for any time of the day from our ever-changing menu against very friendly prices. We can guarantee you that you’ll find yourself hanging around for our food as opposed to heading out for dinner more often than not! Most nights the kitchen closes at 9, but if we have any fun events a night our Chefs usually hang around to serve anyone who is hungry. You can find all of our menus here.
Do you cater to vegans?
Our menu indeed caters to vegetarians and vegans!
Do you cater to people with gluten or other food allergies?
Yes we do. Please consult with the Chefs before ordering.
What are the opening hours of your bar?
Our bar is staffed and stocked 24hrs of the day.
Do you have Internet/WIFI access?
Hell yes, we do! We are connected to a high-speed fiber network that will be free for you to use throughout your stay with us!
Can I book Safaris, tours and adventure stuff with you?
You sure can! We have partners in all categories who cater to all budgets so just come see one of our team members when you’re with us or get in touch with us beforehand so we can get you booked up!
Can I leave my luggage with you if I’m going on overnight tours?
Yes you can. If it’s just for up to a few nights we’ll store your stuff safely at no additional cost.
Do you have a pool and/or foosball table?
Come on… What self respecting hostel doesn’t??
Do you have parking facilities?
Yes, we have (limited) secure parking facilities on the compound, available free of charge.
Is there public transport in Diani?
Yes. The most common way of getting around Diani is by Boda Boda (motor bike taxi) or Tuk Tuk. Both are cheap, safe and plentiful available. Usually there are some parked just outside our gate, but otherwise two minutes down the road there are plenty more. If you would like a taxi, call or Whatsapp John at +254715696931.
Is it safe to walk around outside of the hostel like to town or the beach?
Absolutely! In the daytime we encourage you to walk anywhere you like. At nighttime we advise to take a taxi, Boda or Tuk Tuk from our gate which we can organize for you and will be there within minutes.
How far is the walk to the beach?
The beach is about 300m and one straight walk from our gate. Within minutes your feet will be touching the World-famous powdery white sand of Diani / Galu beach!
How close are the shops and restaurants?
Diani is basically an 17 km long road with all sorts or restaurants and shops scattered along it. We don’t really have a ‘town center’ where everything is concentrated. The nearest shops and restaurants are minutes away but there are others that are a bit further. But when you jump on the back of a Boda or into a Tuk Tuk everything becomes minutes away!
Are there banks and ATM’s in Diani and how close is the nearest one?
We have a wide variety of banks in Diani and each of them comes equipped with an ATM. All of them take Visa and a few of the also take Maestro/Mastercard. The closest one is situated at Chandarana shopping center about 7 minutes by taxi/Boda/Tuk Tuk from our gate.
What is there’s a medical emergency? Is there a doctor or hospital nearby and is my (travel) insurance any good there?
Diani has multiple hospitals that are fully equipped for any type of medical emergency, minor or major. 24hr A&E and ICU units and ambulance service for transfer to their facilities if necessary. They accept all types of (travel) insurance.
Can I get a job at Diani Backpackers?
Maybe! Anyone interested in joining our team is encouraged to send their CV and motivation letter to jobs@dianibackpackers.com
We will keep your info on file, and be in touch if a position opens and we think you're a good fit. Due to Kenya's strict labour & immigration laws, only Kenyan citizens and residents who already have a valid work permit will be considered.
Is there anything else I need to know?
Not that we can think of! But feel free to contact us at any time if you have any questions! Our e-mail address is info@dianibackpackers.com and our phone / Whatsapp number is +254700713666
Diani Backpackers is located in Diani Beach, Kenya. The region is locally often referred to as ‘South Coast’ because of its geographical position south of the historical harbor town of Mombasa. From the gate of the hostel you are only minutes away from the walking onto bright white beach sand and dipping your toes in the warm water of the Indian Ocean.
The un-official birth of Diani Backpackers took place many years ago when by chance a bunch of individual travellers met in a bar in Diani. Each of them had initially intended for their stay to be a short one but as is often the case in Diani, they had fallen in love with the place. Looking for a way to be able stick around for a while, they joined forces and rented a house with a big garden and a pool. Word soon got out and people travelling through Diani started flocking to this house to chill, drink and crash on beds, sofas, pool loungers etc. Not long after that a make-shift bar was built in the garden (which now serves as our Baobar Dorm) and the idea for the hostel you see today was born.
Since those early days we have evolved into an award winning, professionally run hostel with all the amenities the modern-day backpacker needs. We have built an amazing team that truly feels like family and who will make sure your stay will be unforgettable. There are many things we could tell you about us but one that we are especially proud of is that quite a few love stories originated at our very bar. We even get word every now and then of new generations of backpackers born from those love stories and that's just ... awesome!
But even though we have evolved into a professional business, we have always managed to stick to our roots: To be that house with a pool and a bar where people from all corners of the world come together to chill, talk, drink and enjoy. Don’t take our word for it, though. Come check it out for yourself and book your stay now!
Camel rides, motorbike rentals to cruise around, Scuba diving in the Indian Ocean, Dhow trips to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Wasini island, Kite surfing, Safaris from our gate. There are countless activities for all budgets and we can help you book everything.
The proximity to Shimba Hills national park allows us to take you to hidden places with the most dazzling views you can hope for when heading to Africa. With Mombasa being just a taxi (or matatu if you feel adventurous) ride away, you can experience the busy, noisy but amazing city where you can walk the Old Town markets and check out the many cultural monuments on the island.
Check out our extensive activities book that will be waiting for you upon arrival and all that Diani and surroundings have to offer will be revealed.
The nightlife is another story. Let’s not say that the options are infinite but there are quite a few places that welcome whoever is keen to head to the sunrise. But wherever the night takes you, it all of course starts our own bar! We can always suggest alternatives but in the end there’s no place like ‘home’. To put it in a nut shell: try a night out with us and we promise that missing your flight or ride the following day won’t be a downer!
