{"id":97042,"date":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/kenya-rescuing-sea-turtles-adventures-eco-travel\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:52:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:52:56","slug":"kenya-rescuing-sea-turtles-adventures-eco-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/kenya-rescuing-sea-turtles-adventures-eco-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Rescuing Sea Turtles And Other Adventures In Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are looking for a holiday\u00a0with a difference, one that combines eco-consciousness with sweeping beach sunsets and once in a lifetime wildlife encounters, then Kenya should be on your list. Dawn fills us in on her adventures rescuing sea turtles, exploring vibrant Nairobi,\u00a0visiting the\u00a0David Sheldrick Wildlife Elephant Orphanage and the incredible Masai Mara.<\/p>\n

The Wonders of East Coast’s Watamu<\/h2>\n

It’s an\u00a0easy flight to\u00a0Kenya’s East Coast with Watamu my recommendation for an idyllic beach holiday. Picturesque Watamu village<\/a>\u00a0spoils for choice when it comes to activities on offer. With water sports in the\u00a0Marine Reserve including snorkelling and diving in the coral gardens and turtle reef. You can take lessons in kitesurfing, stand up paddle boards (SUP), windsurfing, kayaking and body boarding.<\/p>\n

Should you prefer to go on a safari, Kenya\u2019s largest game reserve\u00a0Tsavo National Park, is just a two hour drive away. There are sunset Dhow cruises, walks in the mangrove forest, mountain biking and the\u00a0neighboring Arabuko Sokoke coastal forest to visit, as well as the ancient Gede Ruins, the remains of a Swahili town with origins dating back to the 12th century.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss sundowners at Mida Creek and some shopping for art and curios. You even have the option of taking a yoga class at Watamu Treehouse and are spoilt for choice when it comes to fine Italian pizza, given the many Italians who consider this their second home. A must visit is\u00a0Bio-Ken Snake Farm and research centre who do work\u00a0developing anti-venom and educating all they can not to kill snakes on sight in their Saving Snakes<\/a> program.<\/p>\n

\"Easy
\n\"A<\/p>\n

\"On<\/h2>\n

Watamu Local Ocean Trust and Turtle Watch<\/h2>\n

A perfect way to add meaning to your time in Kenya is to sign up as an Eco Visitor at the\u00a0Local Ocean Trust: Watamu Turtle Watch<\/a>.\u00a0I spent a week here learning about the essential work being done. My time there involved lessons in their By-catch Programme and Hatchlings Research with Fikiri Kiponda, the Turtle Field Coordinator. As well as the theory and data which is the basis of conservation. In my case a whole new understanding was\u00a0born. We took an injured turtle\u00a0for X-rays, were lucky enough to witness hatchlings leave their nest and make a runner to the waters and collected numerous turtles captured by fishermen in their nets, tagged and released them into the ocean.<\/p>\n

We walked the coastline uncovering illegal fishing methods and spoke for hours about the challenges this precious species faces. At the end of\u00a0the week\u00a0a sense of satisfaction, mingled with the reality that more needs to be done and there’s an incredible team in place doing it, who need support. Highly recommended.<\/p>\n

\"With<\/p>\n

\"This
\n\"Releasing<\/p>\n

A video of my time with Watamu Turtles:<\/p>\n