- On July 22, 2023
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Places to Visit in Malindi
Fun Things to Do in Malindi and Watamu
This article will highlight best places to visit in Malindi. They Include:
- Gede Ruins
- Vasco Da Gamma Pillar
- Portuguese Chapel
- Malindi Museum “House of Columns”
- Arabuko Sokoke Forest
- Malindi marine park
- Marafa Hells Kitchen
Gede Ruins
Also known as Ruins of Gedi, this Historical and archaeological site is located adjacent to the town of Gedi also known as Gede in Kilifi County just near Arabuko Sokoke Forest. The ruins are remains of a swahili town built in the 12th century but was later rebuilt with new town walls in the 15th and 16th Centuries. The town peak is dated in the 15th century when it was inhabited by numerous wealthy swahili communities. In the first half of 17th Century the last families left the town as a result of numerous factors such as; the Wazimba raid along the East African Coast in 1539, the removal of Sheikh of Malindi and arrival of Portuguese in Mombasa in 1593, falling of water table and the numerous attack by the Galla, a hostile nomadic ethnic group from Somalia.
Gede ruins was gazetted as a historical monument in 1927 and in 1929 it was declared a protected monument. Later in the 1930’s there was reconstruction of its crumbling walls and in 1948 it was declared a national park. It is now under National Museums of Kenya.
Gede Ruins entrance Fees:
Citizen Adults: Kes 100
Citizens Below 16 Years: Kes 50
Residents-East Africa Adults: Kes 400
Residents Below 16 Years: Kes 200
Non-Residents Adults: Kes 500
Non-Residents below 16 years: Kes 250
Gede Ruins Entrance Fees
Vasco Da Gamma Pillar
Vasco Da Gama pillar is located on a coral rock, sea front in Malindi, Kilifi County and is one of the best places to visit in Malindi. It was built in 1948 by a Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama. The pillar having been built many years ago has been renovated severally to prevent it from collapsing.
Vasco Da Gamma was a renown sailor who sailed from Europe to India through East African Coast. He arrived in two voyages between 1497 & 1502 and arrived in India in 1498. Vasco Da Gamma Pillar was built to guide other Portuguese sailors en-route to India and this facilitated trade between India and Portugal.
Vasco Da Gamma was welcomed by Sultan of Malindi on arrival in 1498 who hosted him and his crew. Later when he returned Vasco Da Gamma built the pillar as a sign of appreciation to the Sultan of Malindi for his hospitality.
Vasco Da Gamma Pillar Entrance Fees;
Citizen Adults: Kes 100
Citizens Below 16 Years: Kes 50
Residents-East Africa Adults: Kes 400
Residents Below 16 Years: Kes 200
Non-Residents Adults: Kes 500
Non-Residents below 16 years: Kes 250
Also note that this fees will grant you access to Portuguese Chapel & Malindi Museum.
Vasco Da Gama Pillar
Portuguese Chapel
Portuguese Chapel also known as St Francis Xavier Chapel named after St. Francis Xavier who arrived in 1542 to bury 2 Vasco Da Gama Sea men. It is located just 300 metres from the Vasco Da Gamma Pillar and was built by Vasco Da Gamma crew. 36 foreign sailors and local pioneers are buried within the church compound.
Portuguese Chapel Entrance Fees;
Citizen Adults: Kes 100
Citizens Below 16 Years: Kes 50
Residents-East Africa Adults: Kes 400
Residents Below 16 Years: Kes 200
Non-Residents Adults: Kes 500
Non-Residents below 16 years: Kes 250
Also note that this fees will grant you access to Portuguese Chapel & Malindi Museum.
Portuguese Chapel Malindi
Malindi Museum “House of Columns”
Malindi Museum carries the history of the Kenyan Coast Mijikenda people and the animals inhabiting the region. The 2 storey building exhibits traditional items such as musical instruments, tools, costumes and artifacts of the Mijikenda people.
Malindi Museum Entrance Fees;
Citizen Adults: Kes 100
Citizens Below 16 Years: Kes 50
Residents-East Africa Adults: Kes 400
Residents Below 16 Years: Kes 200
Non-Residents Adults: Kes 500
Non-Residents below 16 years: Kes 250
Also note that this fees will grant you access to Portuguese Chapel & Malindi Museum.
Malindi Museum
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
Arabuko Sokoke Forest is the largest and most intact coastal forest in East Africa, with 20% of Kenya’s bird species, 30% butterfly species and at least 24 rare and endemic bird, mammal and butterfly species. The forest has 40 recorded mammal species including African Elephant, African Buffalo, African Civet, Caracal, Syke’s Monkeys, Yellow Baboons and Lesser Galago (or bush baby). Some of Kenya’s rarest mammals are found here, including the Golden-rumped Elephant-shrew, Sokoke Bushy-tailed Mongoose and Ader’s Duiker.
It is also made up of three different forest types. The dense vegetation in this forest type creates a tropical atmosphere as one walks or drives through, the real feel of being “in the woods”.
Arabuko Sokoke Forest Entrance Fees;
Kenyan & East African Citizen Adults: Kes 232
Citizens Child: Kes 58
Residents Adults: Kes 464
Residents Children: Kes 58
Non-Residents Adults: Kes 696
Non-Residents Children: Kes 174
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
Malindi Marine Park
Malindi Marine park is claimed to be the oldest Marine park in Africa and is managed by Kenya Wildlife Service along with Watamu Marine park. Malindi Marine National Reserve features fringing reefs, coral gardens in the lagoons, seagrass beds, mudflats, mangroves, marine mammals, turtles and various species of shorebirds.
What do at Malindi Marine Park.
You can enjoy swimming, boat riding, snorkelling, scuba diving and bird watching at Malindi Marine Park.
Malindi Marine Park Entrance Fees;
Citizen Adults: Kes 130
Citizens Below 16 Years: Kes 125
Residents-East Africa Adults: Kes 130
Residents Below 16 Years: Kes 125
Non-Residents Adults: USD 17
Non-Residents Children: USD 13
Sailing at Malindi Marine park
Marafa Hells Kitchen Malindi
Hells Kitchen Malindi features a sandstone canyon located outside Malindi, Kenya. approximately 45 minutes drive from Malindi. The depression formed itself many years ago through harsh weather forming beautiful colours patterns as if they were sculptured. The name Hells kitchen came a long because it can get up to 50 degrees Celsius during the day..
Hells Kitchen Marafa entrance fees
Entrance fees at Marafa is Kes 500 per person..
Marafa Hells Kitchen Malindi