Malindi Kenya, which is known for being the “cleanest
town in Kenya”, is a wonderful African beach destination
where visitors can enjoy a fun, interesting, and relaxing
getaway. Centrally located on the Kenyan coast, Malinidi
is within a couple hours of Mombasa
and a short flight or seven-hour bus ride from Lamu,
both of which are also top Kenya
vacation destinations. Malindi holidays are extremely
popular with Italian tourists, though more and more people
across the globe are becoming aware of all that this coastal
city has to offer. Besides enjoying time at a Malindi
beach, many visitors like to entertain the Malindi scuba
and snorkeling possibilities. Dining
in Malindi is also a top pursuit for those on Malindi
holidays, and you’ll enjoy a vast array of fares
here, both local and international. The renowned woodcarvers
that call Malindi Kenya home can whittle up something
special for interested visitors, and there are enough
tour guides here to make planning side trips a breeze.
A seaside resort that is sure to cure your woes, Malindi
Africa has got plenty to boast about.
Ever since the fourteenth century, Malindi Kenya has
been primarily a Swahili settlement. As far as East Africa
is concerned, Malindi has long been one of the more important
settlements, a distinction it shares with Mombasa. The
history of Malindi is very much
tied to that of Mombasa, both having been visited by the
Chinese explorer, Zheng He, in the 1400s, and later by
the famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, in 1498.
Evidence of da Gama’s visit can be found at the
Pillar of Vasco da Gama, which is a coral pillar topped
with a cross. One year after da Gama signed a trade agreement
with Malindi officials and grabbed a guide(s) to help
him on his subsequent voyage to India, the Portuguese
returned to establish a trading post here that also served
as a sort of rest stop for those traveling to India. Those
on Malindi holidays will also likely want to at least
catch a glimpse of the old church here that dates back
to this time. The Juma Mosque in Malindi Africa is also
a tourist draw, and just south of Malindi, the Gedi
Ruins, which date back to the thirteenth century,
beckon curious tourists.
There are certainly enough historical buildings and
sites of importance to keep you busy in Malindi Kenya.
Aside from historical and cultural pursuits, many visitors
make a point to explore the Watamu and Malindi Marine
Parks, which were established mainly to protect the coral
reefs found offshore. There are a number of qualified
guides in Malindi Kenya that can help you enjoy these
marine parks. Whether you’re interested in a Malindi
scuba trip, or perhaps prefer to go snorkeling, the underwater
sights are simply dazzling. Among the protected coral
reefs are scores of colorful fish, such as angelfish and
triggerfish. For those who might not be comfortable with
a Malindi scuba or snorkeling excursion, you can always
arrange to head out on a glass-bottomed boat to explore
the spectacular coral gardens.
Many of the top Malindi
hotels have Malindi scuba tours to offer, but if your
hotel doesn’t, the staff should at least be able
to hook you up with a competent tour company. Malindi
holidays, as you can see, can be very rewarding, and chances
are good that you might end up staying here a bit longer
than you anticipated. The slow pace of life and the friendly
locals are just part of what makes Malindi Kenya such
a prized destination. Some of the best Kenya
resorts are found in and around Malindi, and the Malindi
beach experience is simply hard to top. For those interested
in learning more about Malindi Kenya once they get here,
the Malindi Museum is highly recommended.
