History & Nature in Malindi and Watamu

Full Day Excursion at Malindi and Watamu

i)Gede Ruins

ii)Arabuko Sokoke Forest

iii)Malindi Market

iv)Vaco Da Gama Pillar

v) Marafa – Hell’s Kitchen.

i.After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and drive to Gedi Ruins.

This is one of the most visited places in Kenya and one of the country’s greatest mysteries. 

The Gedi Ruins are located deep inside the lush green forests of Arabuko-Sokoke and near the Indian Ocean basin. The Gedi ruins remain a mystery to archaeologists. Proving that ancient African society was intricate and advanced, the Gedi ruins have all the markings of an ancient cosmopolitan settlement.

 Thought to have been founded in the early 13th century, it was a city complete with streets, running water, and a sewage system. Archaeologists have also found Ming Chinese vases at the site, along with Venetian glass and other artifacts worldwide. Coral-brick houses, a palace, and even an impressive mosque remain as clear evidence that the Muslim inhabitants of the coastal Kenyan town were worldly merchants.

ii.Arabuko Sokoke Forest.

Proceed to Arabuko Sokoke Forest for guided nature walks and bird watching. Other permanent species of Arabuko Sosoke Forest include Clarke’s weaver, Savanah elephants, Sokoke scops owl, Sokoke Pipit, Amani Sunbird, Sokoke bushy-tailed mongoose, Spotted ground thrush, African cricket, baboons and vervet monkeys.

With a size of 420km2 Arabuko Sokoke Forest is the largest remaining section of a continuous dry coastal forest found in Eastern and Southern Africa. 

It is a unique habitat characterized by an enormous flora and fauna biodiversity. Three different, distinct forest vegetation types as well as several seasonal pools provide habitats for over 600 plant species, 52 mammal species, over 230 bird species, and 80 amphibian species.

 Arabuko Sokoke Forest is very popular with bird watchers. Most of them come to see the Clarke’s Weaver, Amani Sunbird, the Sokoke Pipit, or the shy Sokoke Scopes Owl.

After a nature walk and bird watching, drive back to your hotel for lunch and relaxation.

iii. The Beauty of Malindi 

The Tour continues to Malindi Town and drives through the streets of the city center to visit the old city, the old market, its coastline, falconry, and the wood factory.

The old city is famous for its ancient charm and for its colorful chaotic markets that are full of retailers of all sorts, allowing experience the local daily life. 

At the old market, in particular, you can appreciate the sounds, colors, and smells of a typical African market and buy local handicrafts.

Before heading for lunch, visit Vasco Da Gama Pillar.

This Tower was built by the Portuguese 600 years ago. It has seen better days, as you can see. It was built by a Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. He built the pillar strategically located as a sea route for traders to and from the 

iv.The Robinson Marafa-Hell’s Kitchen

The Robinson Marafa-Hell’s Kitchen is locally referred to as Nyari, ‘the place broken by itself. Temperatures can get too scorching levels during the day, hence the alias ‘Hell’s Kitchen’. 

The naturally shaped stone columns and shifting colors of this unusual sandstone mini-canyon were once the location for many ancient sacred rituals. 

Local legend has it that there was once a town located in the depression. Now, worn away by wind, rain, and floods, the sandstone shows layer-cake-like colors of white, orange, deep crimson, and pink. 

A visit to the gorge is particularly memorable at sunset when the hues are highlighted against the ribbed gullies of the sandstone. 

You will later drive back to your hotel.

Inclusion

• Transport
• Provision of lunch
• All park entry fees.
• Lunch
• Service of a tour guide
• Bottles of water during safari

Exclusion

• Tips and gratitude
• International airfares
• Visas
• Soft drinks and local beers

Blue Safari in Watamu

This Excursion is a one–day Blue Safari by boat, at the Watamu Marine Park – Sardegna 2 accompanied by a local English-speaking guide.
An experience to see the most beautiful sea in Kenya, Snorkeling can be arranged upon request, and enjoy a day of sea and relaxation.
The price includes Lunch, which will include some fresh seafood lobster, prawns, grilled fish, and coconut rice.

Meeting and departure by boat at 0900hrs from Watamu.

Make a Stop at the Watamu Marine National Park to snorkel while observing the magnificent world and the coral reef beneath the surface of the water. 

During low tide, a spectacular and evocative landscape is formed, known as “Sardegna 2 ′ ′It is a marine park located between Watamu and Malindi made of small atolls. The water is transparent, and the white sand is a paradise a few km from Watamu

Continue sailing outside the coral reef to spot dolphins. At around midday, you reach “Sardegna due”

Then get to explore a wonderful atoll, surrounded by starfish, puffers, and many other colorful fish. 

The price includes Lunch, which will include some fresh seafood lobster, prawns, grilled fish, and coconut rice.

For those who do not like fish, grilled meat and chicken will be served.

After Lunch, complete relaxation on these wonderful atolls.

At 03:00 PM we start our journey back to Watamu scheduled for 05:00 PM

This includes

The professional guide who will accompany you speaks English very well

The registration fee includes all transfers and lunch

Water will be available during the trip

Safari Blue I Mida Creek I Dolphin Watching Watamu

A pick up will be arranged from your hotel at 0730hrs

Arrive at the Watamu Marine Association office by 0815hrs for a tour and briefing by the tour leader. 

At 0830hrs proceed to the boat and start looking for dolphins along the ocean, as you enjoy the beautiful scenery.

The most common species of Dolphin found within Watamu Marine Protected Area, are the Bottle-nose Dolphin and Humpack Dolphin. 

They are usually found from October to April every season when the sea is cool and calm.

Get a chance to spot the dolphins as they swim.

A walk in the village can be arranged for sightseeing.

Later if you wish to go for snorkeling, and swimming at Watamu Marine Park.

Visit Garoda Beach, then proceed along the mangrove forest along Mida Creek for bird watching. Some of the birds found here are; flamingos, fish eagles, white herons, and Skye monkeys.

Lunch will be served the Wakawaka Island or Sudi Island On the menu will be grilled seafood and an option for vegetarians. 

Guests have an option to have a canoe ride at an extra cost of $15 for 45 minutes.

After the tour, you will be dropped off where the boat trip started and transferred to your hotel at Watamu, Malindi, Mombasa, or Diani.

Cost Include

• Transport from and back to the hotel
• Provision of lunch
• Cruise boat services
• Snorkeling equipment
• Mineral water