How To Spend Five Days In Malindi
Although this may be a misguided statement, I couldn’t say there is much of a difference between Malindi and Watamu. Both are stunning coastal towns in Kenya, and I would compare them to fraternal twins.
Despite this, I think individual trips to these destinations are not unwarranted. If you are searching for raw beauty, Swahili-inspired architecture and a laid-back atmosphere, there is no better place to feel the softness of beach sand under your feet or the tranquillity of ocean waves over your body.
Malindi serves as a quaint port town dominated by the tourism industry but is not overshadowed by foreign culture. It has retained its Kenyan roots, local history and natural wonder while simultaneously maintaining a homey feeling no matter where you have travelled from.
With the diversity of culture and attractions offered, your visit can be a magical mix of relaxation and adventure, allowing you to make the absolute most out of the sunshine – or even rain if that happens to be in the cards at the time.
Travel and Accommodation
The best way to get to Malindi is to fly to Malindi Airport, however you can also fly to Moi International Airport in Mombasa and then drive down. I personally would not recommend the latter anymore because you can be stuck in traffic for hours, but to each your own.
Hotels (like in Watamu) range from 3* to 5*, most located on the beachfront, and you can book beach houses or villas too. Some of the most popular places include:
Seven Beautiful Things To Do In Malindi
Most resorts offer free non-motorised, on-site water sports such as bodyboarding, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. However, you can also participate in other types at an additional charge, including snorkelling and scuba diving, which are some of the most beloved activities to indulge in on this coast.
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 13thcentury 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 the opportunity 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.
Average Cost For Five Days In Malindi Per Person
Transport (flights from Nairobi + local travel): £200
Accommodation: £250 (£500 per double)
Attractions: £100
Food and amenities: depends on if you stay in an all inclusive hotel or not
Practical Information About Malindi
Location: Kenya, East Africa
National Languages: Swahili and English
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Neighbouring Countries: Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia
2 Comments
Katherine McLee
Your photos are always so beautiful! I love that you include average costs too! Malindi sounds amazing – may give the snake farm a miss though LOL
Kara
It looks so beautiful there!!! The pictures and your description, definitely make me want to research a trip to Kenya!!