MALINDI

The small but first growing town of Malindi is at the centre of a strip of idyllic tropical beaches offering the visitor a range of world class resorts and quiet relaxing hideaways. Further south, the sleepy village of Watamu is fronted by wide white beaches. This tranquil haven is home to several well established resorts, and many private guesthouses scattered through the forest along the deserted shore.
At Watamu a Marine National Park has been established, an ideal day trip for divers and snorkellers alike.
Northwest of Malindi is the spectacular Marafa Depression, locally known as Nyari and popularly known as Hell's Kitchen. An extensive series of sandstone gorges and sheer gullies, this unique and otherworldly landscape has become part of local folklore.

The thick jungles of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest reserve hide a world of wonders. In the cool of the forest winding paths will take you in search of rare endemic birds and mammals, and visiting herds of Elephant.
The forest holds another secret, the lost town of Gedi, a deserted trading Swahili town hidden deep in the forests, whose winding passages and crumbling walls tell of a long and mysterious past.
Walk through the Forest, explore the mangroves by boat, dive on the reef or try your hand at big game fishing.

Malindi history is reputed to go back a thousand years but it can only be reliably dated to the 13th century by Arabic records and dated pottery shards.
On the north side of Malindi is an extensive salt pan system for evaporating sea water for salt; an eroded wasteland of sandstone cliffs and precipices, near Marafa, known as Hell's Kitchen and a small Arabian Night's town called Mambrui complete with its Islamic and Chinese relics. Beyond that is Ngomeni, a small village and harbour at the entrance to Formosa Bay.

This great bay sweeps in an expansive arc encompassing the wide delta of Kenya's biggest river, the Tana. Near Ngomeni, and set on piles in the shallow waters of the bay is a rocket launching site where weather satellites are launched from time to time.

North from Kilifi the coast road has run virtually straight, until the turn off to Watamu, save for a gentle curve as the road skirts the wonderful bird sanctuary of Mida Creek. The creek is a broad expanse of tidal mudflats surrounded by a belt of mangrooves where three species of the eye-catching Bee-eater family enliven the dense green.

Near Mida creek is Kenya's greatest archaeological heritage, the ruined city of Gede (Gedi) whose population inexplicably vanished in the 17th century. The outer wall of this lost city encloses an area of about 18 hectares. Many of the houses together with the Sultan's palace have been excavated and partly restored; perhaps it is wandering in a lifeless city which, without fail, evokes mystery, suspense and melodrama as the visitor relives a past era.

Even at high noon when the hot sun strikes down through the surrounding jungle the rustle of monkeys or the flutter of birds can make the heart leap. Few people linger in Gede's ruined walkways as the sun's shadows lengthen.

In Watamu and the Marine Park, five hotels welcome the fisherman, the scuba diver, the water skier or those who just want to relax, sunbathe and feast on an entrancing seascape.

GETTING TO MALINDI
The gateway to the Coast is Mombasa, although some visitors fly directly to Malindi. The Coastal highway runs north of Mombasa all the way to Kenya's northern frontier. Driving your own car or hired car as far as Malindi is very easy. There are regular buses and matatus along the North coast. Many hotels and resorts in this area have Mombasa shuttles or can arrange vehicle transfers. Private taxis from Mombasa will also take you to the North Coast beaches for an agreed fare. Malindi airport has daily scheduled flights to Mombasa, Nairobi and Lamu. The airport also serves Private Charters. There are scheduled flights to Malindi.

GETTING AROUND MALINDI
Regular buses and Matatus service the North Coast Highway. Services are less regular north of Malindi. Taxis can be found in any town, or at most hotels or resorts.

MALINDI - WATAMU MARINE NATIONAL PARK

The 261sq km National Park managed by Kenya Wildlife Services.

Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve encompasses the Mida Creek mangrove forest where young coral begins its existence before the tides take it out to the reefs beyond. The forest roots are rich in fish, crabs, prawns and oysters and are also excellent for bird watching. Tewa Caves, near the mouth of the creek, are partly underwater where Giant Groupers co-exist with many other tropical fish species.The coastal resorts of Malindi and Watamu are also world leaders in the accessibility, beauty and diversity of marine life which lives just off-shore on Barracuda and North Reef coral reefs and Turtle and Whale Islands; which is the nesting ground for roseate and bridled terns from June to September when they should not be disturbed and are protected by razor sharp rocks and rough sea.
The historic Gede Ruins in Gede village offer an interesting excursion.
There is an excellent range of accommodation along this stretch of the Kenya coast.
CLIMATE: HOT AND HUMID
FEATURES:
Coral reefs
Vasco da Gama Pillar
Coral Gardens
FACILITIES
Bandas
Campsite
ACTIVITIES
Diving
Snorkelling
Emergency Warden: Malindi