Malindi
Malindi is a city in Kenya, located on the Indian Ocean.
Get in
By plane
- Malindi Airport is a small airport that can be reached from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in Nairobi.
- Moi International Airport in Mombasa, about 70 miles away, is a large airport with flights throughout Africa and Europe.
Get around
Hire a tuk tuk: most journeys cost just 50 shillings. Cheaper, greener and even more fun is a bicycle boda boda (ride pillion on the cushion over the back wheel): usually about 10 shillings.
See
- Vasco da Gama Pillar. After being turned away from Mombasa, it was here where the explorer Vasco de Gama landed. The pillar stands at the point where he came ashore. Note that there is an entrance fee to see the pillar.
- Nearby Watamu with its beautiful beaches and access to the marine park.
- Malindi Museum Society, Beach Rd (From the Baobab bar/restaurant and walk towards the town. You will reach the House of Columns jon your left after a about 5 minutes. From town it is just past the Beach Road Curio market, on your left.), ☏ Country code followed by, 727 411 426. 9AM to 4PM. Visit the museum which has very useful and interesting booklets for sale at low prices, and some exhibits. The museum is at present in the process of moving from its attractive and historic building 'The House of Columns' to a more historic building, recently renovated, 'The Old D.O's Office' near the easily noticed 'Sail Monument' (to Prince Henry the Navigator)where there are more exhibits. While you are in Malindi, why not join the Malindi Museum Society.You can do this at the House of Pillars (see above) as a visitor for Shs 600/- which gives free entry to all of the Museums of Kenya sites/buildings, not just in Malindi, but on the Coast. KShs200..
Do
- Scuba dive. There are plenty of places to hire kit, join a group or get instruction in the beach hotels
- Snorkel.
- Walk or jog. The huge, magnificent white beach north of the pier is just perfect.
- Surf. Anywhere north of the Eden Roc from May to October.
- Kitesurf. There's a school north of the town.
Buy
Eat
- I Love Pizza, Seafront Rd. Reasonable priced Pizzas, Seafood and Meat dishes. One of the longest running restaurants in Malindi.
- Driftwood Beach Club. Restaurant open daily, as well as snack menu during the day. Popular curry lunch every Sunday overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Drink
Hermanns Beergarden, Lamu Road. Cheap and Cheerful. Rooms available on request.
Sleep
Accommodation in Malindi is not expensive but it's recommended that you get a guest house.
There are many hotels at good rates:
- Eden Roc Hotel, Lamu
- Kola Beach Resort, Lamu road (Coming from Malindi,on the Lamu road turn to right at the Mambrui Junction, then to the left at the first road), ☏ +254717022653, info@kolabeach.com. One of the best hotels in Malindi, with 3 swimming pools, 17 villas (where the rooms of the resort are) surrounded by a tropical garden of palms and bougainvillea, conference room, one reception, the Gold 55 Restaurant on the beach and a self catering villas area with 4-bedroom villas, kitchen, living room, 4 bathrooms, veranda and balcony (for sale and for rent).