Malindi

Karibu Malindi

Malindi is the second famous town in the coastal region after Mombasa. It is located on the Malindi Bay at the mouth of the Galana River, lying on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. Some decades ago the people in Malindi economically depended on fishing, hunting, agriculture, and collecting of salt.

Today Malindi prides itself due to the boom in the tourism sector. The city is exceptionally popular among Italian tourists but this is changing with time due to the diversification that Malindi is receiving.

Malindi people are now investing all their strengths in tourism because it has become so major. This people’s friendliness and welcoming attitude is so immense that they make you as a tourist to enjoy more.

Some even offer to teach you their Swahili language as they are showing you around the great sceneries of Malindi. Among other things is the fascination that cannot be contended in any other tourist destination in the world over.

Malindi is well known for its gastronomic expertise with the restaurants, hotels, coffeehouses, and other eating places. Malindi offers a wide variety of gastronomy varying from local to international flavors.

All visitors should make it a priority to visit the revived architectural industry and carpentry that specialize in local wood artifacts. Malindi has got various talented woodcarvers that can make you very unique furniture’s like the famous Lamu beds.

Given that Malindi is a seaside resort do remember to go swimming in the warm waters, go deep sea fishing or visit marine parks alongside sunbathing and other sports in this lovely God given paradise.

Another splendid scene is the coral reefs of Malindi. On what’s called the Coral Coast provides a very nice introduction to the area, there are surfing snorkeling deep-sea fishing and other water sports.

Malindi The History of

Vasco da Gama’s fleet landed here in 1498 and Malindi has had its fair share of fortune hunters ever since.

Malindi, a seaside town by the Indian Ocean that was founded in the 13th Century, is 120km (about 75 miles) north-east of Mombasa and has been known as “Little Italy” since the late 1960s.

The tourist resort is brimming with Italian restaurants, pizzerias, delis and gelato shops – billboards advertise in Italian, restaurant menus offer after-dinner liquors such as Limoncello and Amaro.

It’s a bustling town that doesn’t quite have the architecture of Lamu or the easy-going charm of Watamu, but it makes up for it with several worthwhile historical sights, its own marine national park and some fantastic stretches of beach.

Beloved by Italians – many of whom have been settled here for years – Malindi has been feeling the pinch lately, with economic depression in Europe impacting on much of its visitor market.

Still, it remains a melting pot of local cultures with a rich and fascinating history. Wander through the alleys of the atmospheric old town, dine on terrific Italian food beside the Indian Ocean or take a plunge into the crystal-clear waters of the national park, and you’ll discover for yourself that Malindi is quite the charmer.

Finally, you can not claim to have been in Malindi if you do not visit; the beautiful beaches, the Malindi and Watamu marine parks, the Gedi Ruins, the Vasco Da Gamma Pillar, the Portuguese Chapel, the Pillar tombs and the Arabuko Sokoke forest.

The Arabs established the current Malindi in the early 13th century. In 1414 the King of Malindi initiated diplomatic relations with China during the voyages of the Explorer Zheng He.

The April 15, 1498 (the year 918 of the Arab calendar) the Sheikh of Malindi al-Bauri, at war with Mombasa, he welcomed the great Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.

He anchored three ships in the port of Malindi: São Gabriel, a caracca commanded by Vasco himself, São Rafael under the command of his brother Paulo and Berrio (later renamed São Miguel) commanded by Nicolau Coelho.

It is said that Vasco da Gama never left São Gabriel, a three tree of about 200 tons with square sails and large red crosses.

The following year the East African ports were opened officially to Europe so the Portuguese established a trading post. At that time, the city was a wealthy Kingdom.

The residents mingled with Arabs who were the ruling class and the city was surrounded by walls. The Arabs living inside the walls in stone houses, while Africans lived mainly in mud huts and trellis of canes with palm-thatched roofs.

The economy consisted of agriculture and trade with various ports in the Indian Ocean.

Near Malindi there were large fruit plantations (lemons, oranges), coconut palms, sugar cane, vegetables and livestock. Slaves and ivory were exported. The city was an important port in East Africa.

In the early 16th century the Portuguese chose Malindi as a supply station for the Portuguese ships, so they built their own administration, gas stations and houses for their officials.

In 1518 the Mozambique took over the role of Malindi as replenishment station for Portuguese ships because the Portuguese had trouble defending Malindi.

With the construction of the Portuguese Fort Jesus in the nearby town of Mombasa (1593) Malindi began its decline.

The Portuguese administration and customs were transferred to Mombasa to Malindi authorities leaving. After the 1666 the Portuguese have lost complete control of the city.

The Sultan of Zanzibar Majir refounded Malindi in 1861 and its wealth has increased between 1861 and 1890.

Arab Governors appointed by the Sultan of Zanzibar and supported by a garrison between thirty and one hundred and fifty Baluchi soldiers administered the city.

After 1873 the slave trade became illegal, led to a decline in the agricultural economy, so the Arabs were willing to take part in the local wage-based Africans.

The sultan of Zanzibar subsequently rented its territories, which included the Malindi region, to the British East Africa Association (see Republican Council of Mombasa).

In 1906, the new European Group began planting and export large amounts from their rubber plantations, but this ended in 1917 when rubber prices recorded a sharp decline because of overproduction in Malaysia.

From 1925 to 1938, there was drought followed by flooding that led to a drop in agricultural production. However, there was a great increase in cotton production until 1935, when the price of cotton fell dramatically.

During the second world war there was a lot of economic development in the area of Malindi. At the end of 1944 the tourists coming from inland were returning, and the army was slowly retreating so that Malindi, once again, is returned to normal.

In 1960 the mass tourism using charter flights landed at Mombasa, Malindi was back on the world map. Malindi today is in the midst of a tourist boom, mainly due to its spectacular beaches.

The city is served by an airport and a national road between Mombasa and Lamu. The resorts of Watamu and Gedi Ruins (the remains of a Swahili town located in Gedi, a village near Malindi) lie South of Malindi.

In 1948, the ruins of Gedi were declared National Park in Kenya. The mouth of the Sabaki River lies in the North of Malindi.

The national marine parks of Watamu and Malindi form a continuous protected coastal area south of Malindi. The area shows classic examples of Swahili architecture.

Thing to Do in Malindi

Sail Around Mida Creek

Mida Creek is a wide broad water creek surrounded by mangroves and palm trees, stretching from the ocean into the Arabuko Sokoke forest.

The creek is best explored by boat, especially if you cruise through at sunset when the water is glimmering in gold, and the sky is filled with birds. 

Mida is a stopover point for many migratory birds and an important protected area for their survival, making it one of the most important and beautiful natural attractions on the Kenyan coast.

Visit The Gedi Ruins

The Gedi Ruins are an abandoned city hidden by tropical forest, which is believed to have been established in the 13^thcentury by traders and sailors. 

Unlike other well-known Swahili towns such as Lamu, Mombasa and Zanzibar, almost no historical record was made of Gedi, nor was it marked on maps from that period.

The reason for the secrecy surrounding the existence of Gedi is unknown, and the cause of its downfall also remains a mystery. 

Walking through the ruins is exciting. You come across a collection of medieval architecture, from a palace, a mosque and even a bank, as well as fascinating flora and fauna like the Mugumo tree.

I’m not a big fan of tour guides, I prefer to explore a place on my own terms, but Watamu relies heavily on tourism and right now, we should be supporting the locals the best we can. So, I suggest sightseeing with a guide. 

The Marafa Depression 

The Marafa Depression (sometimes called Hell’s Kitchen) is a great sandstone ridge that has been worn by natural weather phenomena into a series of jagged gorges.

The layer of stones in the canyon reveals colours of white, pink, orange and deep crimsons that makes the places especially striking at sunset.

Here, temperatures can go up to 50 degrees Celsius in the summer and remains humid in the evening – which is the best time to explore. 

The hike around is easy, but it is not recommended for those with acrophobia or who aren’t generally comfortable with hiking.

However, you can still admire the beauty of this natural wonder from the top and I don’t think you should miss out on the views even if you don’t want to take on the trek.

The Falconry of Kenya 

The Falconry is a sanctuary for all kinds of creatures, including a 200-year-old tortoise, but it does focus on majestic birds like eagles, falcons and owls.

If you are a brave soul, you have the chance to hold, pet and even feed the birds, which I can only imagine to be thrilling.

Here you can also find snakes, crocodiles and monitor lizards so it would be the perfect choice of the Bio-Ken snake farm if you are pressed for time. 

The Bio-Ken Snake Farm

The Bio-Ken Snake Farm does not sound particularly fun for people that are afraid of snakes, but reptile lovers will feel right at home.

You can explore the farm to learn about these reptiles and their behaviours through a guided tour by their highly skilled snake farm experts. 

Ndoro Sculpture Garden

The Ndoro Sculpture Garden offers theopportunity to reconnect with art and nature by admiring nearly 300 extraordinary local sculptures against a serene natural backdrop. Make sure to book your visit in advance. 

Visit The Vasco Da Gama Pillar 

One the most popular attractions in Malindi, the Vasco Da Gama Pillar, holds a mirror to the country’s tragic past as a result of Europe’s age of exploration.

Taking the beach walk to this relic signifies Kenyan resilience and opens us up to understanding that the hardships bear fruit in the beautiful reality of how well-connected the world is today.

Malindi is truly a mix of preserved history, powerful culture, and incredible natural beauty, which makes it one of the best places to explore in Kenya.

Other attractions include the Kipepeo Project, the Falconry of Kenya, Snake and Crocodile farm, the Media Creek, Mambrui Ruins, Hell’s Kitchen and Malindi’s many night spots and shopping places.

How to Get to Malindi

Flying to Malindi

Located at the mouth of the Sabaki River, Malindi Marine National Park is situated 86 miles northeast of the Kenyan city of Mombasa.

The nearest International airport to the coastal town is Mombasa’s Moi International Airport which is a scenic two-hour drive to the idyllic beaches and historic sites of Malindi.

Flights from Europe hail from destinations such as Germany and Italy with airlines such as Eurowings, Condor and Neos offering flights into Mombasa’s MOI Airport.

British Airways, Xamen Airlines from China, Qatar Airlines, and Emirates from the Middle East are other airlines that connect visitors from around the world with the magic of Malindi with flights into Mombasa.

The Country’s home airline, Kenya Airways, offers flights from around Africa with domestic flights from Nairobi operating several times a day.

Why visit Malindi?

One of the main reasons travelers from around the world visit Kenya is to embark on an unforgettable safari, the game reserves and national parks of Kenya are among some of the most popular and famous in the world.

To enhance their East African experience, many safari-goers add a beach escape to their itinerary.

Spending anywhere from three to five to seven nights on the white sands of the Malindi beaches makes for a perfect addition to any Aftrican safari in Kenya.

The contrast of open savannas and land-based wildlife to an aquatic scene of brilliant corals and brightly toned marine life offers the guests the best of both worlds.

How to get to Malindi from the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Getting to Malindi from the Masai Mara is possible with guests having the popular option of either:

Flying directly from the Mara to Kenya’s Malindi Airport, followed by a 10 to 30 Minutes’ drive to your Malindi or Watamu Beach Resorts.

Flying from the Masai Mara to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, where they will connect with a two-hour flight to Malindi’s own small airport (airport code MYD).

Once guests have arrived in Malindi, they will be transferred in a private vehicle to the beach resort or boutique hotel of their choice, a journey that should not take more than twenty minutes.

Day Visits to Malindi

If Malindi is not a visitor’s destination of choice for an overnight stop on their Kenyan east coast beach stay, day visits from surrounding areas such as Watamu (located 13 miles from Malindi) or from the island of Lamu (a 22-minute flight) are popular options.

Visitors to the Kenya coast may wish to divide their time between popular Diani Beach in the south and Malindi up north.

The drive of three and a half hours will allow visitors the chance to visit historic landmarks and experience the wonderful waters of the warm Indian Ocean from north to south…or south to north!

No matter how one gets to Malindi, all who visit and experience this region of Kenya’s east coastline will agree that the journey and adventure are certainly well worth it.

Transport in Malindi is also adequate; it is served with a domestic airport and a highway between Mombasa and Lamu. Malindi is home to the Malindi Airport and Broglio Space Port.

To move around in Malindi you can use taxis that have been approved and scrutinized by the hotels you are probably staying in. You can also rent bicycles that been established by the locals as part of their business.

In addition, you can request a mini bus for yourself, but you will have to pay more to make up for the money the driver is not getting from other riders. You can usually quibble and work out a price with the driver before you get in.

Variables that will affect the price include how far you are going and how many people you are with. How many bags you have is also an issue from time to time. It definitely helps to know the language, but you should be able to get by if you don’t.

Land of the Tswana

There are so many places that you can visit in Botswana but there are some other attractions that stand out more than others and are worth visiting during Botswana Safari. These make the list of the top Tourist Attractions In Botswana.

There are many tours that you can do in Botswana and the most common is the overland tour, where you can drive around to most parts of the country in an overland truck. Most common tours include a Botswana Wildlife Safari, Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park package, Desert tracking, Premium safaris and 5 to 10 day safaris.

• • Exploring ancient ruins, historical landmar.

• • Immersive cultural experiences, local.

• • Hiking, trekking, extreme sports, and out.

• • A romantic destination like Paris, Venice.

• • Kid-friendly activities, theme parks family.

• • Premium accommodations, gourmet.