Going on a vacation and having fun while on a vacation are two different things. You might want to come to Malindi but on getting here, you may not know what things to do in order to have the best holiday experience. Instead of sitting in your hotel room at night wondering what you should be doing when you wake up the following day, go through the following list of top things to do or engage in while on a vacation in Malindi:
Visit the Ruins of Gedi
Located just about 18km from Malindi’s CBD, the Gedi Ruins is a must-go-to place while in Malindi. It will only take you about 15 minutes to get to Gedi from town. A visit to this place will convince you that Africa was not really ‘backward’ before the colonialists took over.
For a town that was founded in the early 13th century, Gedi was perhaps the most developed town in this coastal region of Kenya. The advanced nature of settlement will certainly dazzle you and leave you wondering how people in the past managed to develop a town in such a way.
Still standing today are a great many coral-brick houses, a palace, and a stunning mosque, indicating that most inhabitants of this town were Muslims. A walk through the Ruins of Gedi will show you that the town was an advanced one, with running water, flushing toilets and well-organized streets that connected different parts of the town.
The mystery of how and why this beautiful town was abandoned remains unsolved and who knows, maybe the world has been waiting for you to solve it!
See the Vasco da Gama Pillar
Built-in the year 1498 by a Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, this pillar is among the oldest European monuments in Africa that still stand to date. Erected as a navigational aid, the pillar is topped by a cross made of Lisbon stone. If you want to enjoy amazing views of the coast and the ocean, then this is the place to go to.
Enjoy your time at Falconry
This is a home to a large collection of birds. Some of the bird species that you will see here are (of course) falcons, eagles, pecker birds and many others. The thrill of a visit to this place is that with the help of a tour guide, you can carry any of the birds and even feed them.
The Falconry is also home to an over 200 year old tortoise, who can be fed with leaves and bananas with the help of a tour guide. The name of this place shouldn’t confuse you though, because it also houses a variety of snake species such as the python and the cobra.
There’s just a lot to see at The Falconry!
Bio-Ken Snake Farm
This is a research centre which deals with reptiles, especially snakes. A visit to this place will teach you all you need to know about snakes and snake bites. It is located just 35 minutes away from Malindi and is only 5 minutes away from the hotels in Watamu.
Did you know that of all the numerous snake species present in Kenya, more than 90 species are non-venomous and completely harmless? Find out more about this and other reptiles on your next visit to this snake farm.
The Portuguese Chapel
This chapel was also built by Vasco da Gama in 1948 together with the pillar, probably as proof that Vasco da Gama really passed through Malindi on his way to India. The church is the oldest Portuguese chapel in East Africa and its walls still stand strong to date. This not-so-well-known Portuguese Church is also known as St. Francis Xavier Chapel because it is believed that Xavier passed through here with his two sailors who died and were buried at the chapel in 1542.
The entry charges to this church are 1 USD for adult citizens and 0.5 USD for citizens below the age of 18 years. Non-Kenyan resident adults pay about 5 USD and children below 18 years pay about 3 USD.
Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions
If you are a person who loves spending time at the sea, then this is just the right place for you. It provides you with a full day of sailing, snorkeling and a chance to attend a Swahili show called Sawa Sawa. It offers a fantastic day of exploration, sea-food, and secluded beaches.
If you are planning on visiting Malindi for your next vacay, rest assured that there are plenty of places to visit!
