AHG Lion Beach Resort

If you are looking for a holiday by the coast in Kenya, one that is near the beach and has an ocean view, then the AHG Lion Beach Resort & SPA, a 4-star hotel situated on Watamu Beach Road in Kilifi County, is a very good starting point for enjoying all the best aspects of Watamu.

The resort features 64 rooms, each decorated in a modern African style, and is located near the Watamu National Marine Reserve in one of the quietest and most beautiful parts of the Kenyan coastline, which means that the Indian Ocean forms a large part of the view. It attracts guests because of its oceanfront location, its all-inclusive packages, its friendly hospitality, and the well-organized coastal activities.

We can assist you in putting together a custom itinerary if this is your first time planning a trip to the coast.

Why Choose AHG Lion Beach Resort & SPA

AHG Lion Beach Resort & SPA is not merely a place where you can stay; it serves as a gateway to the natural, historical, and cultural sights found in Watamu and along the wider Kenyan coastline. Because of its close location to Watamu Marine National Park, the resort is particularly popular with people who are interested in marine life. Likewise, the Gede Ruins, the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Mida Creek, Malindi, and Marafa Canyon provide a wide range of land-based activities.

AHG Lion Beach Resort suits couples and families wanting a calm, mid-range beach holiday and those who value good food and a central location over big-resort glamour

The resort on site provides all the basic facilities needed for a pleasant coastal holiday, including accommodation, a swimming pool, access to the beach, dining facilities, wellness facilities and a service for excursions.

Getting to the Resort

The closest airport is Malindi (MYD). It is located at a distance of about 20 km or takes approximately 40 minutes to drive there. When travelling from Nairobi, most tourists fly into Malindi or take the SGR train to Mombasa before continuing along the coast by road.

If you would rather have everything arranged, we can plan your coastal stay alongside road transfers and safari.

Rooms and Accommodation

The rooms of the resort feature modern furnishings together with an African-inspired style and offer types of accommodation suitable for couples, friends and families. The four main kinds of rooms are:

• Classic: This room is about 20 m² and is located on the ground floor, close to the swimming pool and the central resort area. It accommodates up to three adults in one double bed and one single bed and includes a private patio so you can enjoy the outdoor atmosphere.
• The Classic Sea View room: Also has an area of about 20 m² and can accommodate up to three adults. They are located on the first floor of the main building, close to the pool, and in a separate section on the ground floor of the resort. The main benefit of these rooms is that they offer a view of Watamu Bay from the balcony, which makes them a pleasant option for tourists who would like to see the ocean without having to move up a room category.
• Superior Sea View: This room is larger, measuring about 28 m², and can hold up to three adults. It is located on the upper floors along the northern coast and has been designed so that guests can enjoy the best views of the Indian Ocean from a private balcony. It is ideal for guests who value space, privacy and sea views.
• The family room: The largest of the room types, measuring around 32m², and can hold up to four adults thanks to one double bed and two single beds. It is situated at the top of the resort and has a private patio; because it is near the resort's recreational facilities, it is a good choice for families who are traveling together.

Dining and Amenities at the resort

The resort provides Mediterranean, Kenyan, and international food, has a continental breakfast, and accommodates special dietary requirements. Drinks can be obtained at a bar lounge and at a poolside bar.

All-inclusive rates suit those who want a no-fuss beach holiday. The food gets consistently good marks, with Italian guests in particular praising the varied, carefully prepared menu.

Around the property you will find:

• An outdoor pool with loungers, umbrellas and beach towels
• A spa offering massages (including sports massage), facials, manicures and pedicures, at extra cost
• Bicycles are available for use in exploring the village and the adjacent nature reserve.
• A garden and a terrace for spending slow afternoons.
• Things available in the family area include a playground, a pool for children, and organized entertainment.

Activities at AHG Lion Beach Resort & SPA

The resort is not just a place where one can relax; because of its location, guests are given the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of marine, natural, cultural, and safari experiences. Among the activities are

Snorkeling

Snorkelling is one of the main activities in the Watamu area. The adjacent Watamu Marine National Park is well known for its coral gardens, lagoons protected by reefs and a great variety of marine life. Kenya Wildlife includes snorkelling among the main activities offered in the marine protected area. The resort also provides a Safari Blue experience in the Watamu Marine Park, and according to the resort, this excursion involves snorkelling around the second reef, exploring the coral ecosystems, and having a seafood lunch which includes lobster, prawns, grilled fish, and coconut rice.

Diving

Watamu is a popular spot for diving, and the marine park's coral gardens together with its varied underwater ecosystems give visitors the chance to explore the marine life underneath the surface. The Kenya Wildlife Service includes diving as one of the activities on offer in the Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve. It is advisable for visitors to organise their diving through suitable operators and to check the current sea and weather conditions before entering the water.

Boat Trips

Another way of discovering Watamu's marine environment is by taking a boat trip. During such a trip, visitors have the opportunity to explore the reef, look for marine wildlife, and enjoy the coastal views from the water. Glass-bottom boat trips are also one of the activities offered at the marine park. Families and tourists who would like to experience the reef without spending a long time in the water will find a boat trip to be enjoyable.

Dolphin Watching

In the Watamu area, dolphins are one of the more important marine species.

The Kenya Wildlife Service includes among its listings dolphins, sea turtles, whale sharks, whales, and billfish.

Dolphins being seen comes down to the behaviour of wildlife and the state of the sea, so it should be regarded as a possibility, not a certainty.

Whale Watching

The town of Watamu is also situated on the coastal route that is used by migrating humpback whales.

Whale watching is a seasonal activity, especially when the humpback whales are migrating, and the Kenya Wildlife Service regards the migration as a significant marine wildlife phenomenon in the region.

Bird Watching

Watamu is a destination that is especially interesting for people who love birds.

The Kenya Wildlife Service states that Mida Creek and Whale Island are home to over 200 species of both local and migratory birds, such as ospreys, bee-eaters and sandpipers.​

Adding a Safari Adventure to your beach stay

A good reason for selecting Lion Beach Resort as your base is that it gives the possibility of combining a holiday by the sea with a Kenyan safari. The resort provides safari activities which can be coupled with a visit to Lion Beach Resort; it names Tsavo National Park as the closest major national reserve and also mentions Amboseli National Park and the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The AHG Lion Beach Resort Kenya safari extension can transform a usual beach holiday into a more extensive Kenyan experience that includes both the Indian Ocean and the African savannah.

In contrast, the 2-Day Tsavo East Safari can begin in the morning in Watamu, including an afternoon game drive and a night spent at a lodge within the park; if you want more time with the lions, buffalo and elephants, the 3-Day Tsavo East Safari includes an extra day on the plains before you go back to the pool and the ocean.

If you are planning a longer holiday in Kenya, our 10-Day Bush and Beach Adventure combines visits to the Maasai Mara and other parks with some time on the coast, which is why the AHG Lion Beach Resort is a natural choice for relaxing at the end.

Best time to visit

Watamu has a tropical coastal climate, and the temperature is about 24–30°C throughout the year. The long rainy season lasts from April to June while the short rains occur in October and November, meaning that December to March and July to September, the drier months, are generally the best times for beach-going and for having clear water.

Marine conditions may still change, so it's important to check the forecast, the tides, and the sea conditions before organising any snorkelling, diving, or boat trips.