🚀 Kicking Off “Digital Impact Programme” Our Q1 Wins

In the first three months of our programme; we partnered with our first local secondary school, installed classroom Wi-Fi, delivered our first 5 laptops with another 5 on the way, hosted guest volunteers, and officially hired a Programme Manager!

A pretty good start and we’re excited to share the journey with you.

This whole thing started with us deciding to cut our ad spend for 2026 and instead re-invest it (and more) into a new programme to help improve digital literacy in local schools.

🏫 Getting Connected: Our First Partner School

We first came across the school last year when some of our resident nomads gave a careers talk.

I quickly realised that it was a bit rich talking to a classroom of students about online careers when they had more or less zero path to getting there.

The school has around 400 students, each year group has around three streams, each stream has 45 students!

That’s a long way from the average secondary school class size of around 24 students in Europe!

Hopefully, that gives you a bit of a feel for what we’re working with.

What we did in Q1

After a few meetings with the headmaster and a MoU for what we wanted to do we got to work.

Set-up the first IT lab at the school

• Installed Starlink and a managed WiFi network;
• Bought and set-up the first 6 laptops (funded by Skippers);
• First 24 students have completed an induction course thanks to nomad guest volunteers;

There are ±400 students in the school. We’re aiming initially to get 20 laptops and a teaching display/TV in the IT lab.

Funding & Budget

All in, so far not including salaries and accommodation the initial cost to launch was €2,254. This represents around 1 euro for every guest night booked in 2025.

The pilot was wholly funded by Skippers with a view to establishing long-term sustainable funding by early 2027.

Costs so far have been 43%: One-off/fixed costs and 57% on assets and licenses, Chromebook ±€200/unit inc. Edu license, cable lock, headphones (two per laptop w/headphone splitters).

• 6x Chromebooks + Cable locks + headphone splitters = €950
• 6x Google Education device licences (perpetual) = €260
• 12x headphones = €60
• Ubiquti Cloud Gateway + Access Point + PoE Switch + Starlink: €480
• 12 months Starlink connection: €504

🌍 Nomads Giving Back: Guest Volunteers in Action

The biggest asset at Skippers other than our team is our community and you have already been showing that in this programme :-).

Since our launch we’ve had two guest volunteers Sabrina and Kim, both got involved with developing content and starting initial inductions at the school.

Sabrina spearheaded the fundraising which helped bring in €515 which has paid for three more laptops for the IT Lab. Bringing the total number to 10.

Kim helped run sessions at the school to get students through their initial inductions.

🤝 Powered by You: Donations & What’s Arriving Next

We have a busy Q2 planned, key for us is adding more structure to the programme and ensuring that there’s a clear progression path to IT literacy for the students.

We will also be looking at events and how we can expand the programme.

GoFundme

€515 raised by Sabrina’s GoFundme which will cover 3 more laptops.

Macarena & Maria @ Distriktstandvården, Sweden

We also had a significant private donation to cover an additional laptop, TV and all the accessories and licenses for the four new laptops.

New equipment in IT Lab

In early Q2 we should have 9 laptops in the lab for students and one for teachers as well as a 50″ TV mounted on the wall to make it easier to run guided learning sessions.

This will mean we can run sessions with 18 students vs. 10, which will make a big difference to getting things moving.

👋 Growing the Impact Team

Probably the most significant thing we have managed to do this year is find an excellent programme co-ordinator in Joseph Mbagia. He has relocated from Nairobi to run the programme for the next year.

Joseph has been working on clean water development projects for the last five years and is finishing his MSc. Monitoring & Evaluation while working with us.

He will be putting together all the key assets for the programme as well as implementing rigorous impact monitoring so that we can understand to what extent we are making a difference.

🔮 What’s Next & How You Can Join Us

{Impacting nomads} We’re interested in hearing from any nomads who have worked on any local impact programmes for an idea we have for early next year.

{Chromebooks} If you’re booked at Skippers and are travelling from the UK in particular, please consider bringing a second hand Chromebook, they’re around £50 on eBay.

{Into the bush} In Q2 we’ll be looking at setting up some new experiences to get our guests out of Diani. Watch this space 🙂

The post We Cut Our Ad Spend to Connect a School: Skippers 26Q1 Impact Report appeared first on Skippers Coliving.

There are two questions I get regularly asked about Diani the first is about WiFi speeds which is covered here and the other is “Is Diani Safe?”

Short version. Yes, Diani is safe.

We’ve hosted 100+ nomads and travellers. Here’s what we’ve actually seen day to day.

What Kind of Place is Diani?

Diani as a town depends on tourism and the people who live there are acutely aware of that. A once sleepy coastal village It’s now a fast growing town largely considered to be relatively upmarket.

It has 80+ restaurants more hotels than you can count, watersports everywhere on the beach.

People wander from their Airbnbs down the road to local coffee shops like Kokkos, Tribearth and Java café to get their morning caffeine fix.

On every corner there are boda motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks snake their way up and down the roads.

It’s busy but not overwhelming and it’s friendly.

Behind the scenes there are many WhatsApp groups full local resident of curtain twitchers tracking every lost shoe, bicycle and random incident.

What Are the Real Risks?

I am happy to say most of our guest stays have been without incident. Skippers is on airstrip road which is a bit more of a local area vs. beach road. It’s a community and everyone is very friendly.

People often see areas with temporary roadside shacks which they would associate with slums in say South America and assume they aren’t safe.

Luckily the levels of crime etc in Diani are incomparably low. The people some of the friendliest you’ll encounter.

General hassling/Touts: There are a small number of individuals who are a bit tiring for a lot of people. One guy who asks for money for tidying up the beach/streets, a few beach touts who are over the top.

The first encounters are sometimes a bit frustrating. After a few days you’ll be ignored.

I have had 1-2 reports from women walking alone on the beach during the day of people following them down the beach to sell them stuff. My wife while she walks around gets quite a few marriage proposals.

The real key is loudly and clearly telling them ‘NO’. Kenyans are very community driven and nobody wants to stick out in that context.

Petty theft: Most reported incidents involve petty theft. Not so much pickpocketing or bag snatching that you might see in Barcelona but more opportunist. Someone leaves their iPhone on the beach while they go for a swim. A push bike gets taken from behind a compound.

At night: This one really depends on where you’re going. Up and down the main beach road is generally ok. Generally walking around at night on your own is a bad idea. In a group of 2-3 generally you’re usually ok. If you’re going into backroad areas then it’s generally best to take a boda.

I’ve heard of people having issues when walking between the two nightclubs Tandoori and Manyatta as people wait for people who’ve had a few too many drinks to relieve them of their phones/wallets.

Road safety: Most of the incidents we’ve seen are road safety related. More often than not involving a guest who rents a scooter, usually wearing only sandals vs. proper shoes/trainers and they come off and end up at the local hospital with some light bandages.

Violent crime: Luckily violent crime is still quite rare. In 2024 there was an incident where a tourist was attacked for her handbag, that same time there were a few other similar incidents. Locally this is considered a crimewave whereas I’m assuming it’s a daily occurrence in most major cities.

More serious incidents are usually linked to disagreements between individuals. There have been occasional spikes but generally the police have been quite good at rounding up culprits.

Safety for Solo Travellers

The main other recommendation would be to just be aware of where you are. Kenya is a fast growing country but it still has a GDP per capita that’s x10 lower than many EU countries.

There are a few things you can do to make your trip safe and easy. The first is super simple. Leave your $1,000 phone at home.

Buy a $100 phone when you get your local SIM and buy a small waterproof drybag so that you can go for a quick swim with your phone and wallet without worrying about it.

Be nice to people and they will generally be nice back.

Try and make some friends. Could be a beachboy, could be someone at the local coworking/coliving.

Getting Around Safely

You can walk up and down the beach and main road all day and other than the cars it’s pretty safe.

Take tuktuks, ubers, and motorbike taxis (bodas) if you’re travelling at night or to areas you’re unsure about.

If you’re going to go to the market area or somewhere new then you can ask your boda guy to walk around with you. Just ask before you get on.

It’s totally fine/normal. They’ll want some money for their time, generally not more than a few dollars, but the boda drivers generally take their passenger’s safety seriously.

Health & Medical

Malaria: There is a real risk of malaria on the coast. How you manage that risk is up to you. Short-term visitors will often go for malaria tablets as the impact of a possible two to four days in bed with a fever isn’t great.

It’s quite common. One or two guests in the past two years have caught it. Usually it clears with minimal issues. If you have any medical conditions it can have quite a serious impact so always get advice before you travel.

Long-term visitors in my experience do not take any tablets but they do make sure they use replant at night and make sure they have mosquito killers etc in their rooms while asleep.

You can get almost instant malaria tests at most pharmacies. If you test positive getting the drugs to treat it is also very easy in Diani. There’s a good local hospital.

Water: Drink bottled water or from a water refill station.

Sun: it’s strong, wear suncream during the day.

Pharmacies & Hospital

It’s important to be aware that some doctors will suggest often unnecessary tests especially to tourists.

• Axita pharmacy: Opposite Chandarana on the first floor above Diani Enterprises hardware is ap pharmacy run by Dr Nahil. It’s not a chain and he’s a real European style (though he’s Kenyan) pharmacist in as much as you can go in and have a real conversation about your issues;
• Diani Beach Hospital: Generally viewed as the best option in town and they get consistently good reviews. 24/7 with ER, MRI, CT etc.

What About Kenya’s Reputation More Broadly?

Kenya is not without its issues there are a small numbers terrorist attacks each year, predominantly along the Somali border. These are not places a tourist would normally visit.

There have been some issues in Nairobi notably Westgate shopping centre in 2013 and a hotel DustitD2 2019. There was one recorded incident in Diani in a nightclub in 2014.

If we’re looking at comparisons knife crime per capita is about the same in Kenya vs. the average of the EU.

Practical Safety Tips (Quick Reference)

Stay safe

• Most robberies happen on buses, near bus stops, walking routes around transport hubs;
• Cities, especially after dark;
• Walking between bars and nightclubs at night;
• Don’t leave valuables on the beach while you swim;
• Don’t flash expensive gear, jewellery, or large amounts of cash

Getting around

• Use tuk-tuks or taxis at night
• Keep hotel/coliving room locked
• Swim during daylight, check tides
• Get travel insurance
• Save local emergency numbers
• Tell someone your plans if heading somewhere new

Why a Coliving is Actually the Safest Way to Stay

Arrive at a community, not alone. A local team who know the area and can advise on the best places to go. A built-in social network from day one.

The Bottom Line

Diani is genuinely safe and welcoming for travellers. It’s a relatively small town and word goes around quickly if there are any issues.

Always ask tuktuk drivers, taxi drivers and anyone you’re staying with where you should and should not go.

The post Is Diani Safe? appeared first on Skippers Coliving.

The world has changed a lot in the last 12 months from an economics perspective. Wild devaluation of the USD and we’re moving into a new global economic chapter.

As most of our guests are from Europe we are updating our rates into Euro based pricing. Hopefully this will mean that it’s clear what the rate is for anyone staying and will help us with a more stable currency.

The new rates will take effect from 1st October 2025.

New rates

Shorter stays: If there is availability closer to the time or between bookings we open those up. Our short stay rate is weekly (Seven nights) €224/wk (€32/night), Standard: €315/wk (€45/night).

Deposits: 4 weeks: €150, 6 weeks: €200, 8 weeks: €300

Anyone booking before 1st Oct 2025 will have the old rates.

The post Our Room Rates Update 2025 appeared first on Skippers Coliving.

The flights in the other direction were about 140 euros more one way but still what a mad price.

This is a new thing we’re trying out.  So please bear with us as it make not be fully optimised yet.

Below are based on our flight searches with a Bulgarian IP. You might find results differ. Below are not offers of flights just info we have found on airline websites.

Routes that are currently good value

From Europe

• Condor: Frankfurt FRA or Berlin-Brendenburg BER <=> Mombasa MBA
• Ethiopian: Rome FCO or Vienna VIE <=> Mombasa MBA
• Kenya Airways – London LHR <=> Nairobi NBO, £609-£700 return
• Qatar – Athens ATH or Istanbul IST M<=> Nairobi NBO, From €494 return (Oct 23/24 to Nov 26/27 or Dec)
• FlyDubai
  • Milan (Bergamo) BGY <=> Mombasa MBA, €348 one-way
  • Dubai DXB <=> Mombasa MBA, Always ±€575 rtn
  • Istanbul (IST) or Sofia (SOF) <=> Mombasa MBA, €386 one-way

From SE.Asia

• SalamAir or Thai Air Asia + Ethiopian: Bangkok BKK/DMK => Nairobi NBO, From €194 (17th-20th Oct)
• VietJet Air + IndiGo: De Naang DAD => Nairobi NBO,  From €304 (17th – 20th Oct)

* Pretty sure these were cabin luggage only, was via Skyscanner

From USA

• Turkish: Chicago ORD via Istanbul => Nairobi NBO, €419 one-way
• EgyptAir: New York JFK via Cairo => Nairobi NBO, €386 one-way
• Turkish: Boston BOS via Istanbul => Nairobi NBO, €464 one-way

Cheapest return flights to Mombasa in October

Condor – Frankfurt/Berlin Brandenburg to Mombasa

Outbound: Tuesday 30th September 2025

Inbound: Monday 27th October 2025

Price: €579.98 (Inc. 1 cabin + 1 checked bag)

Ethiopian – Rome FCO to Mombasa MBA

Outbound: Sunday 28th September 2025

Inbound: Saturday 25th October 2025

Price: €586 (Inc. 1 cabin + 1 checked bag)

Cheapest flight to Mombasa in November

Condor – Frankfurt/Berlin Brandenburg to Mombasa

Outbound: 21st November 2025

Inbound: 17th December 2025

Price: €519.98 (Inc. 1 cabin + 1 checked bag)

Ethiopian – Rome FCO to Mombasa MBA

Outbound: Friday 21st November 2025

Inbound: Sunday 21st December 2025

Price: €568.00 (Inc. 1 cabin + 1 checked bag)

Cheapest flight to Mombasa in December

Condor – Frankfurt/Berlin Brandenburg to Mombasa

Outbound: Sunday 30th November/5th December 2025

Inbound:  Wednesday 20th/24th December

Price: €469 (Inc. 1 cabin + 1 checked bag)

Ethiopian – Rome FCO to Mombasa MBA

Outbound: Saturday 29th November 2025

Inbound: 21/26/27 December 2026

Price: €568 (Inc. 1 cabin + 1 checked bag)

The post Best Flight Deals to Kenya from Europe, SE.Asia & USA 22/09/2025 appeared first on Skippers Coliving.

This article was 100% written by a human called Duncan who runs Skippers Coliving in Kenya. It covers the nomad experience highs and lows in unfiltered form based on two years of experience.

If I reflect on the last 24 months of Skippers being open the one thing I would say is that:

Kenya is not for everyone.

I’m not just saying that to have an attention grabby headline.

It’s just being realistic.

I heard a super corny saying the other day which is…

“It’s not an adventure if you know how it ends”

If you go to Lisbon, Chang Mai or Da Nang those places are pretty well established destinations. They have solid infrastructure for nomads and they’re busy and popular.

Even though it’s probably one of the most nomad friendly African countries. Kenya is not popular with digital nomads. Not even by a stretch.

What it and Africa does have in unlimited quantities is adventure and peace.

That’s where the phrase TIA (This Is Africa) comes from. It’s not a cuss on the continent, it’s more affectionate. It’s about accepting that it’s an adventure.

Contents

• Safety
• What Kenya has
• What Kenya does not have
• Why you’ll hate it
• Why you’ll love it and come back

Safety

The first question I am asked is always. Is Kenya safe?

The answer is always…in general yes, but…

Nairobi like all cities has petty crime, its not as bad as London and some other capitals. But like all big cities you have to play a safe game.

Regional safety

Kenya and most African countries do not have extremely well evolved transport networks. As a result of this safety issues are usually regional and confined to specific areas.

They are generally tribal and resource related. Areas for example like the north of the country where there is limited rain tend to have more issues. So guides are highly reccomended in those areas.

However, most of the country is safe to roam.

The key is to talk to your local coffee shop waiter/waitress, accommodation owner etc. and ask where is good to go and where is not good to go.

Solo travel fe(male)

Travelling alone around Kenya is generally safe, there are buses, trains, planes. People are generally respectful and as long as you’re not waving around a new iPhone, rolex etc you will not have problems.

What Kenya has

Not overcrowded, not many nomads

This might be the best thing in the world for you or the worst. But Kenya is not a nomad hub. There are not nomad run clubs or daily nomad yoga sessions in every city.

There are little enclaves like Skippers but it’s largely untouched by over-nomadding. So if you’re not a labrador for other nomads then you’ll be good.

Epic 4G+ phone network

The country has massively over-invested in their 4G+ network. 4G+ has a technical top speed of 300mbps. I’ve personally seen 200mbps in the middle of nowhere and 50-100mbps on your phone is not unusual outside of Nairobi.

In Nairobi itself as it’s a bit busier it’s a bit lower say around 20-50mbps.

Safaricom the main network have cell towers everywhere. They all have backup generators and solar power. You can video call your mum on safari no problem.

EU friendly timezone

All of Africa is in an EU friendly timezone so you’re going to wake up have 2-3 hours extra in the morning for a workout, sport or just chilling. Or look like you’re in super early.

No daylight savings + Equal length days

There’s no day light savings time in Kenya. It’s on the equator so days are more or less the same all year round, in June the shortest day is 11h 53min and in December the longest day is 12h 22min. Still a lot better than ±8h 49min in London.

Coffee

They grow coffee in Kenya and East Africa. There’s lots of it and plenty of places to go and drink it. Most have WiFi also.

Language

While English is usually most people’s 3rd language it’s widely spoken, especially in towns and cities.

Friendly people

I’ll caveat this as Nairobi like London, Paris and other cities is a bit harder. But Kenyans outside of big towns and cities are some of the friendliest people you will encounter.

You can wander around in the bush and generally meet lovely friendly people on all your travels.

Kenyans are generally confused as to why the rest of the world is less friendly (reddit).

Easy tourist visas

If you have a passport from an EU/Western country it will usually be approved very quickly for a visa 2-3 days. You get 90 days and that can be extended to 150 days with minimal hassle.

Lion king

Cliche but you can see Simba and all of his mates. Whether you go high-end safari or just a self drive it’s pretty epic.

Short(ish) flights, no jet lag from EU

Getting to Kenya is about 8h30 from the major European airports. Getting to the coast is an additional connection of 1h. End to end Bankso to Diani usually takes me ±20 hours.

It’s possible to do it in a day with correctly timed flights or one overnight near Nairobi airport.

Fast ordering

It might be slightly surprising but you can get almost anything next day from Nairobi. The in country courier system works really well in particular Fargo who will do a small package under 5kg (weight/volume) for ±$6.

Social outreach

We’re just getting started on our social outreach programme with careers talks in local secondary schools. You can read more about it here. There are also tonnes of volunteering opportunities on WorkAway.

Music

The music scene in Kenya is not what you would expect. It’s different to the cliches. If you’re really into the scene then you will find it especially in Nairobi.

What it does not have

Lots of nomads

This might be a pro or a con for you so I’ve listed it twice. There are plenty of travellers, backpackers etc. but it’s not yet a nomad hub.

It probably never will be as getting residency is not straight forwards and it is not really an advantageous tax jurisdiction.

That doesn’t stop people coming every year but it’s less likely to become your home home as a result.

Development

Kenya is just into the LEDC (Less Economically Developed Country) category.

What that means is that it’s not as developed as most other countries.

In some places like Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani and other cities you’ll have good access to healthcare, shops, even supermarkets like Carrefour that are really well stocked.

But even in those places it won’t be Da Nang, there is not a really well built boardwalk on the coast, the cities are more chaotic etc.

Outside of major cities and towns there is a more barebones experience.

Just like most places, the further you get away from the developed places. The better the adventure.

CC – Wikipedia

Great infrastructure

There is a cross-country train from Nairobi to Mombasa. It’s cheap and runs three times a day. Generally on time.

Beyond that you’re on private minibuses (matatus) and on motorbike taxis.

You can get anywhere on a matatu or via a cross country bus. Driving standards make South America look safe but you can get literally anywhere with no plan whatsoever.

Why you’ll love it

Always the people. Kenyans are lovely, friendly and welcoming.

Why you’ll hate it

The people. Over time you might find the culture frustrating. The approach to money is can feel sometimes difficult and some people find that quite overwhelming.

The post Nomading in Kenya, Not For Everyone (But Maybe For You) appeared first on Skippers Coliving.

The summer is almost over, I had to wear a jumper this morning (19th Aug) for the first time in months while in Bankso.

So it’s time to make plans and make tracks to warmer places because it’s about to get cold and wet again here in Europe.

Contents

1. Weather on the Coast
2. Getting to Diani – Approx flight costs right now
3. Events – September to December 2025
4. WiFi Weather Report
5. Activities in and around Diani

Weather on the Coast

The weather September to December is warm and getting warmer as Kenya heads towards it’s summer (below the equator). It gets a bit wet in November but it tends to be more monsoon rains in the Morning vs. all day raining.

© WeatherSpark.com

Getting to Diani

Flights from Europe are great value September to December. As low as around €400 one way or €529 return to Nairobi!

Note: You can fly direct to Mombasa. But if flying from Nairobi to Diani/Ukunda airport you need to book direct with JamboJet/Safarilink ±$50-$80 each way.

Both allow easy changes and don’t need to be booked too far in advance except Christmas.

Events

Whether you need a good reason to expense a trip to Kenya, looking for a festival or just some culture below are some of the bigger events happening in Kenya.

September

• 6th, Nairobi Street Food Festival: Big food + music day out (info)
• 7th, Diani Golf on the Beach: Fun fundraiser @ Nomad Beach Bar by Colobus Conservation, right on the sand (info)
• 9th-10th, CleanTech Summit: Conf aimed at driving VC investment, pitching, talks, Nairobi (info)
• 20th, International Coastal Cleanup Day: Global cleanup run by Diani Turtle Watch in Diani
• 22nd-26th, Design Week Africa/AIDW: Interior design conference (info)
• 28th, Blankets & Wine: Exactly what it sounds like with lovely food, Nairobi (info)

October

• 9th-12th, Kisama Festival: Wellbeing Festival, Kilifi (info)
• 9th-11th, East African Ocean Festival: dhow boat racing, parades and more, Mombasa (info)
• 10th-12th, Safari Sevens Rugby: International 7’s tournament in Nairobi (info)
• 12th, Diani Goat Derby: It’s as crazy as it sounds, great little event in Diani (info)
• 25th-25th, Global Web3: African edition of the global summit series (info)
• 26th, Nairobi Marathon: Run a marathon in Nairobi, 5k, half and full entries available (info)
• 28th, Africa Concours d’Elegance: Annual classic car competition, Nairobi (info)
• 31st-1st, Africa DevOps Summit: Meet sysadmins, call for speakers open (info)

November

• 1st-8th, Eco Fashion Week: Annual eco focussed fashion, Nairobi (info)
• 5th-7th, DroidCon: Annual android dev conf, call for speakers still open, Nairobi (info)
• 21st, WomenInTech: Annual women in tech conf, Nairobi (info)
• TBC Mombasa Carnival:Annual almost Caribbean style carnival in Mombasa (info)
• TBC Koroga Festival: Annual food and music festival, Nairobi (info)

December

• 3rd-5th, Lattitude 59:  Estonian originating annual tech conference in Nairobi (info)
• 5th-13th, East African Classic Safari Rally: Classic car rally held in the bush in Kenya, amazing (info)
• 22nd, Blankets & Wine: Exactly what it sounds like with live music and lovely food, Nairobi (info)
• 30th, Beach Please: Lively live music event in Diani, not to be missed! (info)
• 30th-1st Jan, Beneath the Baobabs: Music festival in Kilifi, 2.5h by car from Diani, take a driver, party, come home (info)

WiFi Weather Report

A new feature for us is an automated speed test running on a computer on the network at Skippers.
Note that speed is limited to 30mbps max to prevent anyone wiping out calls of other people.

Activities in and around Diani

This is a really high-level overview of what you can get up to in Diani.

Water & Coast

• Dolphin-Spotting & Snorkelling Dhow, Kisite–Mpunguti via Shimoni/Wasini (Coral Spirit)
• Scuba Diving (Ocean Tribe)
• Glass-Bottom Boat & Robinson Island Sandbank – Many options on the beach
• SUP or Canoe at Kongo River Estuary (Estuary Lounge)
• Funzi Island & Ramisi River Boat Trip (Coral Spirit)
• Chale Island Day Trip (Coral Spirit)
• Low-Tide Reef Walks & Sandbars – Your own left and right feet
• Deep-Sea Fishing

Nature & Culture

• Shimba Hills National Reserve (TripAdvisor) – It’s better than the ratings let on
• Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary – Closed for road repair
• Colobus Conservation Visitor Centre & Forest Walk (Colobus Conservation)
• Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest – Tuktuk and walk up
• Kongo Mosque & River Trip – Tuktuk and walk up
• Shimoni Caves – Usually as part of Wasini tour but you can DIY it also
• Old Town Mombasa & Fort Jesus (UNESCO)

Food, Art & Adrenaline

• Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant (TripAdvisor)
• Almasi Art Agency (Alamasi)
• Skydiving Over the Reef (Sky Dive Diani)
• Golf at Leisure Lodge (We have a set of left and right handed clubs) (FB)
• Horse Riding w/Suryasta Stables (TripAdvisor)
• Quad/eBike Tours

The post Last Call Summer 2025: Our Guide to Whats On in Kenya appeared first on Skippers Coliving.

We trade beds for bangers.

We love working with talented photographers and videographers who can capture the real magic of Skippers and the Kenyan coast.

If you’re a pre-screened guest with a solid portfolio, we offer discounted or comped stays in exchange for killer content. What we usually look for:

• ~25 edited photos 
• A short hero reel or story-driven cut 
• Optional extras: IG reels, TikToks, drone footage — depends on your style 

We’ll also connect you with local tour providers (safaris, boat trips, etc.) so you can get even more stunning footage — often comped or at content rates.

Interested?
Drop us a WhatsApp with your portfolio link, and we’ll take it from there.

The post Work Exchange for Professional Photographers and Videographers appeared first on Skippers Coliving.

TL;DR
Swap 2-4 flexi hours a day (4–5 days /wk) for a free beach-town studio, meals, gym and a coworking access at Skippers Coliving, Diani Beach. Min stay 2 months.

The craic

We’re looking for someone to be a community anchor and keep the social life at Skippers flowing 🙂

• Hours: 2-4 h daily, 4–5 d/wk – crack-of-dawn or post-surf, YMMV.
• Tasks:
  • Community wrangling – board-games, yoga, trips…
  • Photo/video snaps for socials;
  • Herding guests into careers talks at local secondary schools (See our community programme here);

How we support

• A small studio with a desk, desk chair and bathroom opposite Skippers – 2-3 min walk;
• Three meals a day;
• Access to our coworking, gym and push bikes;
• Our support squad (below);

Support squad

• GM for big-gun decisions;
• Head-of-fun (local fixer), knows the area like the back of his hand, super friendly;
• Maths-grad outreach lead + the wider Skippers crew;

Pros

• Zero rent & bills – real-world cash burn tanks;
• Social impact baked in;
• Walk-to-beach, kite-surf-after-stand-up vibe;

Cons

• Unpaid (trade-time-for-bed);
• Need your own flights;
• Rural coast – nightlife = bonfires not Berghain;

How to jump in

1. Fill the typeform: https://duncan65.typeform.com/to/CuY7Qu8L
2. Slide onto WhatsApp with any questions;
3. Pack a laptop & your best slow-mad stories

The post Low-Lift Volunteering For DNs @ Skippers – Cowork, Chill, Give Back appeared first on Skippers Coliving.

TL;DR

We are based in a very trad area. The idea of working in a digital career, remotely or anything like that isn’t even on the radar of kids and parents where we are.

So….

We’re launching a school outreach pilot in Kwale—connecting nomads with local students through career talks, donated books, and tech exposure.

Most of these schools have zero digital access, and students have never met anyone working online. If you’re in Diani or passing through, giving just an hour of your time can shift a kid’s entire trajectory.

Minimal prep needed. Couple of hours of your time while visiting Skippers. High impact. Simple.

Why We’re Doing This

Let’s be real—most DNs I’ve met want to give back somehow. But between juggling client calls, visa runs, and trips, it’s tough to find a way that’s structured, impactful, and doesn’t feel like a full-time job.

So we have been working to come up with a model where it’s basically minimal effort to you.

A few hours sharing what you already know—design thinking, digital marketing, remote workflows—can and will massively shift how rural students in Kenya see their futures.

Brain drain = Rural > Urban + Kenya > International

President Ruto reckons 5 000 Kenyans jet off abroad each week, chasing salaries the coast can’t match while 35 % of youth at home stay jobless. “Our biggest export is labour.” – President Ruto, Berlin presser, 14 Sep 2024

So your inspiration can help kids understand that there’s another way. They can get gigs and still stay at home. They don’t need to head off to the big cities or even abroad.

Especially in places like Kwale, one of the country’s least-resourced counties, where schools are working with:

• No computers or libraries
  
• Shoestring budgets
  
• Zero exposure to global careers
  
• Teachers and parents are very sceptical of computers and IT
  

Meanwhile, you work in:

• Tech
  
• Product design
  
• Remote ops
  
• Global NGOs and startups
  

So we thought—why not connect the two?

What the Pilot Looks Like

We’re starting small, with local secondary schools near Diani. There are around 10 within about 15 minutes of Skippers.

Here’s what we’re planning to do:

• Career Q&A sessions – Drop in for a 30–60 min chat about your work/life path.

• Book printing – We’re stocking libraries for the first time using low-cost open source book printing.

• Listening to schools – We’re not assuming what they need—we’re asking.

The Research: This Stuff Works

This isn’t just feel-good charity—it’s evidence-backed.

Dropout drops: Career talks reduce school dropout by 10–15%
→ Brookings, 2018

Higher aspirations: Students with real-world role models are 2× more likely to aim for uni
→ World Development Report, 2018

Better exam scores: 3+ talks = +1 month of learning
→ Education & Employers, 2019

Future earnings boost: +18% income in mid-20s after exposure to professionals
→ Kashefpakdel & Percy, 2016

Girls in STEM: Career talks boost STEM interest among girls in Kenya
→ FAWE, 2020

How You Can Plug In

If you’re in Diani / Kwale area now or soon:

• We pair you with a local school (usually within tuk-tuk range)

• You pop in for an informal Q&A (we have a template for content + a projector)

• Can be solo or with a small group of nomads

• Time needed: ±2 hrs total

You won’t be on your own one of our team will be there to cover interfacing with the school.

Can’t go in person? Still want to help?

• Donate a book or zine (English or Kiswahili)

• Chip in for book printing (~KES 200 / $1.5 per book)

• Share this with other nomads in Kenya

DM us on Telegram, WhatsApp or email hello@digitalnomadsinafrica.com to get involved.

What’s Next

We’re hoping to:

• Reach 10+ schools by end of 2025

• Print 1,000+ books for school libraries

But this only works if we stay grounded and local-led. So we’ll keep listening to teachers and adapting as we go.

What Did We Miss?

Have you done something like this in another country? 
Know an org we should team up with?
Got books to donate or nomads to loop in?

Drop tips, leads or feedback below—this pilot’s just getting started.

The post DNs x Kenyan Students: Give Back Without Going Full Volunteer Mode appeared first on Skippers Coliving.

There are very few things that can go wrong with your ETA/eVisa application and in general they are processed very quickly.

That said things can go wrong….here’s how to avoid it.

Getting your ETA

• Make sure your passport details match EXACTLY what you put on the ETA/eVisa form;
• Ensure your passport has sufficient time on it BEFORE you complete your application;

What happens next

• Your ETA will be processed, usually quite quickly 1-2 weeks;
• It would seem that most applications are processed in arriving soonest order, so if you’re really organised don’t worry if it’s taking some time;

On arrival in Kenya

• Your ETA is a pre-approval, the actual visa is stamped into your passport on arrival;
• The max time you can have your visa valid for is 3 months for first issue;
• e.g. If you say you’re coming to Kenya for 10 weeks they will add a 3 month visa, if you say less you will get less;

The post Tips for Getting Your Kenya ETA/eVisa Correct appeared first on Skippers Coliving.