Malindi is one of the most spectacular marine eco-systems found in the Kenyan Coast. Its history is deeply rooted from the iconic colonial powers of the Portuguese, with iconic land marks such as the Vasco Da Gama Pillar and the Gedi Ruins. Malindi Town is more than a beach tourist attraction site, it is one of those places you visit and once you are in, it’s difficult to want to leave. I am quite thrilled to share with you, the best 20 things I enjoyed in Malindi in the company of Adequate Safaris. Join me as I let you wander in one of the best Kenyan Coastline areas to visit.
- Watamu Marine National Park
- Marafa Depression-Hell’s Kitchen
- Vasco Da Gama Pillar
- Gedi Ruins
- Bio Ken Snake Farm
- Mida Creek
- Prawn Lake
- Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions
- Mambrui Sand Dunes
- Arabuko Sokoke National Park
- Jumba La Mantuana Fort
- Robinson Island
- Malindi Marine National Park
- Portuguese Chapel
- Kipepeo Market
Watamu Marine National Park
Watamu Marine National Park is found 140 km North of Mombasa since it got established in 1968 by the Malindi National Park. It is recognized as part of United Nations World Biosphere Reserve. The park offers excellent opportunity to have encounters with dolphins, turtles and whale sharks. Other dopamine engaging activities you will enjoy in this park include; snorkeling, white sand beaches, wind surfing, skiing and bird watching.
You can easily get to this park by either air, road or train. You will just take a flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and head to Malindi Airport. If you are using road, you will drive through the A7 highway from Mombasa and you are using train, you will enjoy exciting views of the Tsavo National Park as you board the Standard Gauge Railway.
Marafa Depression-Hell’s Kitchen
Marafa Depression Hell’s Kitchen is also commonly referred to as Nyari, which means the “place broken by itself”. It is one of the most visited tourist attraction site in Malindi mostly preferred by romantic couples. It is loved for its unique landscape of sandstone formations and deep gorges. The entry fees required to gain access to Marafa is fairly affordable at only 200 Ksh. What makes this place send tiny happy spikes to your nervous system is how the sandstone formations have different colors ranging from orange, white, pink and deep crimson. This place should be the best place you visit in Malindi with one of the best travel and tour company in Kenya, Adequate Safaris.
Vasco Da Gama Pillar
Vasco Da Gama Pillar was built in the year 1498 and 1499 by Vasco Da Gama. He was the first European explorer who discovered the trading route to India. Today the pillar is used as a tourist attraction site. In the colonial area it was used as a navigational beacon for sea boat rides. The pillar is locally referred to as Mnara, since it marks an historical monument in Malindi Town. The dry season is the best season to visit Malindi, it offers the best views to take quality photos, content creation and film making. Be among the among the many who visit this place, not just for the adventure it offers, but for what it symbolizes when it comes to appreciating the Sultan of Malindi whose presence is felt even today.
Gedi Ruins
A visit to the Gedi Ruins is one of the best places to visit in Malindi that immerses you through a journey that will take you back to see centuries of history. It is among the best places that will have you thrilled about wellness and peacefulness. Expect a quite nature full of birdlife and tall ancient trees. Gedi Ruins is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site mainly because of its historical significance and the coral-stone architecture. If you happen to love and enjoy understanding more about archaeological sites, then Gedi Ruins is the best destination for like minded people such as yourself.
Bio Ken Snake Farm
The Bio Ken Snake Farm ranks among the top places to visit in Malindi, especially for snake lovers. The snake farm was founded by James Ashe who was a herpetologist. The snake farm hosts more than 200 snake species, the common ones are horned viper, puff adder, the black mamba and the black spitting cobra. Its collection of some of the deadliest snakes found in the world has gained this place a huge traction of tourists, who visit the place in the company of Adequate Safaris. Apart from being a tourist attraction site, the snake farm is used as a research venom laboratory site.
Mida Creek
Mida Creek is a 32-kilometer tidal inlet found between mangrove forest in the Kenyan Coast and among the best places to visit in Malindi. To enjoy Mida Creek you will have to tour the place with a boat or canoe ride. It hosts a variety of fish species, crabs, wildlife and sea turtles. Mida Creek is loved since it is an amazing spot for enjoying kayaking, wakeboarding and water skiing. If you are a lover of seas food, you will love what Mida Creek professional chefs prepare. From high end restaurants, lodges, hotels all the way to the street food.
Prawn Lake
Prawn Lake is ideally located in Watamu however, it is also shared with Malindi. Prawn Lake is among the favorite places you will visit in Malindi famous for canoe rides, fresh prawns, sundowners with your romantic partner, photography and film making. Prawn Lake is mostly ideal for fish lovers and nature enthusiasts. If you are looking for a wonderful unique conservation experience, you can’t miss out on Prawn Lake. If you are with your romantic partner, Prawn Lake is the best way to end your day, especially on a boat ride as you eat up the best views of the African sunset.
Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions
Among the many beautiful places that capture the spirit of Indian Ocean is the Sawa Sawa dhow excursions. It is ranked among the best experiences you will have in Malindi. Why you will love this dhow excursion, unlike other dhow rides, the Sawa Sawa dhow excursion are usually slowed down. Here you feel like time has stopped for you to just enjoy nature. Other activities other than the dhow excursion you can indulge yourself in are swimming, eating sea food, fishing, swimming and diving. The dhow excursions are enjoyed either by romantic couples, film makers, content creators, solo travelers and families.
Mambrui Sand Dunes
Among the exciting things you will enjoy in Malindi is the Mambrui Sand Dunes. It is found just 50 minutes away from Malindi Town. It surprises so many tourists since the place looks like a desert. Many locals like to refer to this place as Dubai Ndogo, because literally once you step foot in Mambrui, you will feel like you are in Dubai. You can enjoy walking along the sand dunes; you can also enjoy quad biking or sand boarding. The Mambrui Sand Dunes are less crowded, ensuring you have a quality and splendid time. These sand dunes are the top leading dunes found along the Coast in Africa.
Arabuko Sokoke National Park
If you are wondering what the name Arabuko Sokoke means, let me spare your overthinking mind, the name means “forest of the thin elephant”. In this park, you will find giant elephant as well as the tiny golden-rumped elephant shrew. Arabuko Sokoke National Park is the last largest coastal forest. Other wildlife you will enjoy encountering in this park include baboons, bush baby, monkeys, buffalos and the tiniest owl in Africa. The national park is located between the two coastal towns; Kilifi and Malindi north of Mombasa City. If you are in the coastal region, and you suddenly feel tired of the beaches, this is the perfect place to visit in Malindi that will take you close to what the Central Kenya region offers.
Jumba La Mtwana Ruins
Jumba La Mtwana Ruins is among the most fascinating historical treasures Malindi has to offer. It is full of untold stories, mystery, beauty and a touch of Swahili sentiment. The ruins date back to the 14th century, found between Mombasa and Malindi. If you want to dive in into the rich Kenya’s Swahili heritage, Jumba La Mtwana is the best to visit in Malindi that will comfortably achieve this. The Jumba La Mtwana is mostly famous for the four mosques found in it. 18 km north of Mombasa us where Jumba La Mtwana Ruins is located and 4 km to the northern area of Mtwapa.
Robinson Island
Robinson island is just a short distance away from Malindi Town. It is among the cleanest islands that Adequate Safaris is known to offer their tourists, found near Diani Beach. The Robinson Island is among the most hidden gems found in Malindi, popular for its crystal-clear water, beautiful white sandy beaches and a peaceful retreat with few tourists. It is easily accessible by only boat when the tides are low. What makes Robinson Island great is that it offers great activities such as dhow excursions, snorkeling, swimming, private beach picnics, beautiful sunset and romantic honeymoon expeditions. The Robinson Island is more than a destination, it is also a place for tourists to enjoy calmness, escape from the busy world and unwind their mind in peace.
Malindi Marine National Park
The beauty about Malindi Marine National Park is that it is located next to Malindi Beach. It is a popular hot spot for having crabs, sea star jellyfish, sea cucumbers, mudflats, seagrass beds and beautiful coral gardens. The Malindi Marine National Park was the first Kenya’s marine park that was established in 1968. The park is located 118 km north of Mombasa, it also occupies an approximate 213 square kilometers of land. Malindi Marine National Park offers exciting activities such as birdwatching, skiing, windsurfing and glass bottom boat rides.
Portuguese Chapel
Portuguese Chapel is one of the best places to visit in Malindi that offers a significant past of the town’s culture. The chapel was constructed in the 16th century during the Portuguese trading activities along the East African coast. The chapel is also referred to as St Francis Xavier Chapel. It is on Mama Ngina Road in Old Town. It stands out as Kenya’s oldest church, one thing you will enjoy about this place, you don’t have to be spiritual or religious to enjoy spending time in this place. This place holds a significant value in Malindi’s architectural value, making it a must-see attraction site for history enthusiasts.
Kipepeo Market Butterfly Project
Kipepeo Market is located 20 kilometers south of Malindi town. It is a popular attraction site known for attracting beautiful butterflies and other insects. The name Kipepeo is derived from a Swahili name meaning “butterfly”. Your first impression once you visit this place is how beautiful and colorful the place is. This project was started to rear butterflies fetched from the nearby Arabuko Sokoke National Park, and since its establishment, you can enjoy its results. Common butterfly species you will find in Kipepeo include the Flame-bordered charaxes, the pearl charaxes, the charaxes Varane’s butterfly and the tropical blue swallowtail butterfly just to mention a few, all in the company of Adequate Safaris.
Final Thoughts
Malindi Town is truly one of the best destinations in the Kenyan coastline found on the South-Eastern side of Kenya. It is one of the best places where you will enjoy clean beaches, different exciting activities, fishing and swimming along side large turtles. Malindi is among the best adventure places full of color and warm people. It is more than a trip where you book and head back to your home country or country.
Whether you are planning a Kenya safari to see wildlife, you can also combine it by relaxing in the crystal-clear turquoise waters. I would one hundred percent recommend you to book your Malindi adventures with Adequate Safaris. If you are after an unforgettable journey where you want to discover paradise and heart felt memories, book your trip with Adequate Safaris by sending an email at deals@adeqautesafaris.com or a WhatsApp call at +254 711 711 498.
