Malindi offers so much! Things to do in Malindi
Walk to the first reef. At low tide you can walk on the coast near the Coral Key hotel to the first and second reef. Often there are beach boys who want to accompany you for a small fee but you can also make the walk alone. Do not forget to put on water shoes. Children from the age of five can come along! During the walk you can find beautiful starfish, cuttlefish, shells, sea cucumbers and more. Experience it yourself!
Just past Watamu about 20 kilometers from Malindi is Midah Creek. Midah Creek is a reserve declared by UNESCO with a magnificent lagoon between high and low tide and consists of 580 hectares of mud. The lagoon opens into a mangrove area of 1600 hectares and the lagoon is famous for its beautiful flora and fauna. At two meters above the mangroves is a 260 meter long bridge that is adventurous to walk on and from which you can see the surrounding area. With a guide, a boat can be rented for a trip on the lagoon along this stretch of unspoiled nature, where the flamingo‘s and the most beautiful birds are flying by. You will just be surprised by the beautiful surroundings.
The Gedi ruins are hidden in the woods near Watamu, 10 kilometers from Malindi. Gedi dates from the 14th century and was a progressive town. Gedi had a mosque, a palace and great houses of stone which were equipped with bathrooms and toilets with running water. The material that was used for the construction of the city consisted mainly of coral rock coming from the nearest ocean. The inhabitants of the city traded with people from around the world. In the museum at the ruins you can admire things that are found in the ruins. Vases and coins from china beads from Italy and many more.
Marafa either called Hell’s Kitchen is located 33 kilometers northwest of Malindi. According to Lonely Planet, Marafa is the most underrated piece of nature along the coast of Kenya. It is a geological phenomenon with giant rocks in white, red and yellow colors that are caused by an accumulation of several layers of soft and hard rocks. The whole gives a surreal image. According to legend, Marafa has arisen because there used to be a very rich family which lived even bathed in the milk of their cows. God was so angered by the excessive behavior of this family that he punished them and the ground opened up beneath their feet, what we today can still see in Marafa. The red and white colors (milk and blood) appearing in Hell’s Kitchen warn against an excessive lifestyle.
Middle in Malindi is a small bird-park, the Falconry which is excellent for a short trip especially with children. There you can see a variety of birds, there are tubes and there is a turtle of more than 100 years old. The Falcons may be held and the big old turtle can be petted. Admission is 500 ksh (2012) and the overseers of the park serve a small fee like as a guide.
The Pillar of Vasco da Gama is a must to see if you’re in Malindi. The entry ticket can be combined with a visit to the Portuguese chapel which lies from da Gama within walking distance of the Pillar of Vasco. Discover a piece of history and move a few hundred years back in time when the Portuguese Vasco visited Malindi by his travels to India. Hear in the chapel how the fishermen died and how the chapel was hidden for centuries from the Muslims. These historical sites are very interesting .
A visit to the Portuguese Chapel and the Pillar of Vasco da Gama can be combined with a visit to the Museum of Malindi which is a stone’s throw away from the aforementioned sites. Dive briefly in the history and learn more about the special Coelacanth fish ever found off the coast of Malindi. The museum also houses an old library which is also worth a look.
Marine Park is located just south of Malindi on 10 minutes tuc tuc away. It was created in 1968 to protect the marine ecosystem and preserve. The park covers 212 square kilometer nature reserve that stretches from the Pillar of Vasco da Gama to Midah Creek (and 3.5 kilometers seaward). The park has beautiful resources. Several coral reefs, mangroves, a great diversity of fish (up to 300 species) sea turtles, sea grass and a lot of birds. With a glass bottom boat you can take a trip and go snorkeling. The beach is free, you want see the sea then pay 15 dollar adults and children $ 5.
Arabuko-Sokoke National Forest
This is the largest remaining tropical coastal forest in East Africa with a size of 417 km2. This area is especially unique because there are many endemic and endangered animals, birds and insects live. Some of the unique animals that can be found in the forest, the Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, the Sokoke bushy tailed Mongoose, the red bush squirrel. Birds: East Coast Akalat, Spotted Ground Thrush, Amani Sunbird and Clarke’s Weaver. These can be found only in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. Other animals that can be found here include: a small group of elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck, small antelopes, mongoose, bush babies, blotched genet cat, African Civet, Caracal, baboons, Sykes monkey. Birds include green barbet, Fisher’s Turaco, Southern banded snake eagle, Golden woodpecker and African Crowned Eagle. Furthermore, there are hundreds of Kenyan species of butterflies and 15 species of owls. The forest is ideal for a walk (with a guide), mountain biking or horseback riding. There is also a visitor-center. Admission is $ 15.
Of course you can also get a traditional safari from Malindi. Tsavo East is quite easily accessible for a two or three day safari. In Malindi itself are several providers of these safaris. With one or two nights in a lodge in the Tsavo area you will have a guaranteed chance to see the big five!
Golfers are also welcome in Malindi. Malindi Golf & Country Club is 5 minutes tuc tuc from the center of Malindi. 9 holes are present and you will have good value for money. Malindi Golf & Country Club P.O. Box 320 Malindi.
A visit to the Crocodile Farm is definitely worth it. The Casuarina road route to Marine Park can be found in this park. The park is not big, but it offers a variety of crocodiles which are very close to see. Feeding the crocodile is a phenomenal sight, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday you must be there at 16.00. Admission is $ 15 (in 2012), but negotiating the price is sometimes possible.