Sports & nature

Malindi Museum
It’s in a historic building dubbed “ House of Columns” on the sea promenade near the jetty. The museum offers exhibitions on the history of Malindi and a prehistoric fish that has remained unchanged for 400 million years, caught in a net a few years ago by local fishermen. Combine the museum with a stroll through Malindi’ old town and visit Vasco da Gama’s pillar, the Portuguese chapel built before St. Francis Xavier visited Malindi in 1542; Tanzini’s art gallery, the new Coastal Cultural Museum which was once the District Officer’s office where the Mast Pond or Sail Monument of Portugal stands, a monument erected in honour of Prince Henry the Navigator as a memorial to mark 500 years since his death in 1460. The Vice Premier of Portugal unveiled it in October 1960. The memorial marks 500 years since the death of Prince Henry the Navigator and honours the Sultan of Malindi and Ahmed Ibn Majid, the Malindi pilot who navigated the flotilla of Vasco da Gama for the first time to India.

Gede Museum:
This is the most well-known Swahili site on the East African coast, located 16 kilometres south of Malindi. Founded in the 12th century AD, Gede was a large and prosperous town, which flourished until it was abandoned in the 17th century. Excavations unearthed the ruins of the big mosque, the royal house and the royal tombs. A walk through this ancient town reveals a fascinating time in history.

Vasco da Gama Pillar:
Situated on the seafront road near the jetty, the pillar is one of the oldest remaining monuments in Africa. It was built in 1498 by the great Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama as a sign of appreciation for the welcome he received from the Sultan of Malindi. The cross on the pillar was tested and found to be made of Lisbon limestone, proving that it is the original cross, placed at Malindi in 1498.

Pillar Tombs:
The pillar tombs are next to Juma Mosque, between the jetty and the town centre.The tombs are believed to have been built in the 15th century for the Portuguese stationed in Malindi.

Portuguese Chapel:
The 16th century chapel is located along the seafront road near the Malindi museum the town.It was built before St. Francis Xavier visited Malindi in 1542.St Francis Xavier buried one of his sailors who died on his ship. The Chapel’s southeast wall had a crucifix painted by the Portuguese. Outside the Chapel was a graveyard of Portuguese tombstones, but today there are many modern graves, among them of Malindi pioneer Commander Lawford of Lawford Hotel and J. Bell Smith, the first British administrator in Malindi.

Mida Creek:
Mida Creek is south of Malindi along the Mombasa-Malindi road. The 32-square-kilometre creek has extensive mudflats and mangrove forests that attract a wide variety of flora and fauna, including turtle hatchlings that use it as a nursery.

The Bioken Laboratory and Snake Farm:
The Bioken Laboratory and Snake Farm started by the legendary James Ashe, is located two kilometers north of Watamu and is internationally recognized for having the biggest collection of snakes in Africa. It has a live collection of around 200 snakes of 30 different species. Of the 127 recorded snake species in Kenya, only 18 have caused human fatalities and only another six could kill a person. Another 10 could cause a lot of pain and the remaining 93 or so, are neither non-venomous nor dangerous.

The Kipepeo Project:
The butterfly project is in Arabuko Sokoke Forest near the Gedi ruins on the way to Watamu. Started in 1994, it engages local farmers people who are licensed to rear butterflies sourced from the forest and export the pupae abroad. The farmers act as custodians of the forest for without it, there would be no butterflies.

The Falconry of Kenya:
Located off the Lamu road near the Moriema cottage, it has a large collection of birds in Kenya with falcons, goshawks and owls. One can see the falcons at close range and watch them perform exciting flight shows. The Falconry also operates an exclusive camp on the banks of the river Sabaki, about 15 kilometres from Malindi town. The camp offers spectacular views of the landscape and sunsets.

The African Curio market:
Located near the District Commissioner’s office along the seafront road, the market has a large collection of African curios, souvenirs, carvings, Kisii soapstone and artifacts.

Hell’s Kitchen:
Located off the Lamu road, after the Sabaki River in the Marafa Depression, this natural landscape of eroded gulleys and valleys has interesting features in it like the cathedral and towering columns.

Mambrui town:
This 5th century town is off the Lamu road in north Malindi after the Sabaki River. It has a centuries-old pillar tomb with porcelain bowls of the Ming dynasty.

Malindi Marine park:
Malindi Marine Park and Reserve is 118 km from Mombasa town. It is to the south of Malindi town. The marine park is endowed with magnificent reefs, coral gardens, lagoons, sea grass beds, mangroves, mudflats and a stunning array of fish, dolphins, turtles and various species of shorebirds.