5 DAYS SANDIES TROPICAL VILLAGE FLYING PACKAGE

MALINDI HOLIDAY

Malindi is a town on Malindi Bay, in southeastern Kenya. It sits amid a string of tropical beaches dotted with hotels and resorts. Malindi Marine National Park and nearby Watamu Marine National Park are home to turtles and colorful fish. Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve harbors elephants and more than 200 species of birds. Near the forest, the Gede Ruins are the remains of an ancient Swahili town.

1.       THE VASCO DA GAMA PILLAR

The Vasco da Gama Pillar in Malindi, Kenya, was erected by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. It was constructed in 1498 or 1499 during his pioneering maritime expedition from Lisbon to India via the Cape of Good Hope. Vasco da Gama first visited Malindi from 15 to 24 April 1498.

The 15th Century was an era of worldwide exploration by Portugal. Early in the Century, Portugal had conceived an idea of commemorating visits of Portuguese vessels in different domains. In 1497, King Dom Manuel of Portugal appointed Vasco da Gama to command a fleet of 4 ships to sail to India through the Far East. The Fleet left Portugal on the 8th of July, 1497 and after many adventures, anchored off Malindi on Easter Sunday 15th April, 1498.

The fleet was well received by the then Sultan of Malindi, with supplies of fresh water, fruits and vegetables. The visit lasted for nine days. At the request of Da Gama, who incidentally refused to go ashore during the visit, the Sultan also provided a sea captain (Ibn Majid), who guided the fleet across the Indian Ocean to Calicut, India.

2.       FALCONRY OF KENYA, MALINDI

Falconry of Kenya is a beautiful private zoo featuring an extensive collection of birds of prey and other animals. It is located in Malindi off Lamu Road near the Moriema cottage. At the falconry, you can see falcons and eagles at close range and watch them perform thrilling flight shows. Most of these birds have been rescued and rehabilitated, and some cannot return to the wild.

The falconry of Kenya presents several exciting options for the entire family. You can choose to walk around the falconry, exploring the various enclosures and their creatures.

You’ll see eagles, falcons, owls, goshawks, and peckers. You can opt to carry some of them on your gloved hand with the help of a guide for an adventurous experience. In addition to birds, the site has crocodiles, tortoises, monkeys, monitor lizards, and a snake enclosure that parades green mambas, pythons, and cobras.

Get to see a 200-year-old giant tortoise, one of the most fascinating animals in the falconry, and feed the tortoises with bananas.

Entry fee is Ksh 200 for everyone to enter and it is opened from 9am to 5:30 pm every day.

3.       ROBINSON ISLAND

Robinson Island, also known as “Manda Toto” or “The Small Island,” is a picturesque gem nestled off the coast of Malindi, Kenya. Located within the Lamu Archipelago, this tiny island has garnered attention for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and secluded atmosphere, making it a haven for travelers seeking tranquility and natural beauty.

The island’s name, Robinson Island, evokes images of adventure and solitude, reminiscent of the famous literary character Robinson Crusoe. Indeed, visiting Robinson Island feels like stepping into a world untouched by time, where palm-fringed shores meet azure waters, and the only sounds are those of the gentle waves and tropical birds.

One of the island’s main attractions is its stunning coral reefs, which teem with colorful marine life. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts flock to Robinson Island to explore these underwater wonders, encountering vibrant coral gardens, tropical fish, and even the occasional sea turtle or dolphin. The island’s clear waters offer excellent visibility, making it an ideal spot for underwater photography and marine exploration.

In addition to its natural splendor, Robinson Island boasts a rich history and cultural heritage. The Lamu Archipelago has been inhabited for centuries, and the island bears traces of its Swahili and Arab influences. Visitors can wander through the remains of ancient settlements, mosques, and fortifications, gaining insight into the region’s past and heritage.

Despite its remote location, Robinson Island is easily accessible from Malindi, with boats and dhow cruises ferrying visitors across the turquoise waters to its shores. Many tour operators in Malindi offer day trips and excursions to the island, allowing travelers to experience its beauty firsthand.

For those seeking a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life, Robinson Island offers an idyllic escape. Whether you spend your days lounging on the beach, snorkeling in the coral reefs, or exploring the island’s historical sites, a visit to Robinson Island is sure to leave you enchanted by its natural beauty and serene atmosphere.

4.       MARAFA-HELLS KITCHEN

Departure from hotel at 08:30 am direction; Golden Beach, where we will spend the morning under the sun or walking at the beach until 11:30 am.

Later, you will go to the Robinson Island to the restaurant for lunch (crab, shrimp, fish, oysters, coconut rice with tomato sauce). After lunch, a small break until 15 : 30 pm.

We will leave and go to the Devil’s Kitchen.

This place is situated 40 km northwest from Malindi where you can see the amazing colours of the geological depression Marafa, called by the natives “Nyari” which literally means “the place that breaks alone ,” even though the real title which is better known this place is “the devil’s kitchen”.

Just around 1 hour drive from Malindi, along a original route between large clearings, villages and forests of acacia, we will arrive at this unique and evocative place. The Hell’s kitchen was originally a place characterized by sandstone and the effect of rainfall has eroded over the course of millennia, giving rise to a canyon where pinnacles, canyons, towering spiers and winding structures (as high as 30 meters ) alternate creating a unique show.

You will walk through this kind of small canyons, where their colours vary during the day according to the inclination of the sun’s rays.

You will enjoy in taking hundreds of photos enchanting you with the typical colours of Africa !

Shortly before sunset, return to the hotel.

5.       SAWA SAWA DHOW CRUISE

Here at Che Shale, we have our own dhow, Sawa Sawa. She is a beautiful, spacious wooden sailing boat built in the East African traditional style. Sawa Sawa was hand built in Mozambique with teak and other hard wood and she was sailed all the way to Che Shale by Justin and his crew. 

From mid July through till October Sawa Sawa can be found in Malindi where you will sail down to the beautiful sandbars of Mayungu. Enjoy a seafood feast cooked up onboard by the crew whilst you enjoy the crystal clear waters that Mayungu has to offer.

From October through till April, Sawa Sawa moves up to the hotel. Join us for a chilled sail across our beautiful bay for a few hours; or enjoy a full day excursion including swimming and snorkelling at the Che Shale coral gardens followed by a grilled seafood lunch onboard.

6.       PORTUGUESE CHURCH TOUR

It was built by Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama in 1498 while passing there on his way to India before St Francis Xavier visited Malindi in 1542. It stands on an eighth of a plot and hosts 36 graves of sailors and prominent people in the compound. The graves include those of Malindi pioneer Commander Lawford of Lawford Hotel, first Malindi District Commissioner J. Bell Smith who died on September 1, 1894 and Charles Arnold Frank Matthews, who was buried in 1968.

The chapel is open from Monday to Friday to the public where most visitors are foreigners from Europe, Australia, America and Asian countries. The chapel is sometimes used by local Catholic churches for special masses in remembrance of St Francis. People now travel from all over the world and country to pray in this small church because they believe that St Francis Xavier’s powers still exist in it.

This building was constructed in early 1890`s for the Imperial British East Africa Company ( IBEA Co.) which by British Royal Charter took over for 50 years the Sultan of Zanzibar`s mainland concession from Kipini to Vanga ( the coastal strip ). Mr. Bell Smith, an employee of IBEA Co., oversaw the construction of the building, known then as the District Collector`s Office, to serve as the company’s first office. He died on 1st September 1894 and is buried in the graveyard of the Portuguese Chapel. The house was also known in the colonial days as the Boma, or Kwa Balozi , (Consul’s House) and housed offices on the ground floor and living accommodation in the upper for the District Collectors, later the Distict Officer ( D.O ) and then Distict Commissioner. The house was beautifully situated facing the sea, with steps in front leading down to the beach.

7.       THE HOUSE OF COLUMNS (MALINDI MUSEUM)

Though the date of construction of this unique structure is not known, it is known that it was used by Adulhussein Gulamhussein & Co. There is photographic evidence of its existence in 1891 when W. Fitzgerald took a picture of it from on board the IBEA’s coasting steamer, the Henry Wright, the boat that took him up to the coast from Mombasa to Lamu during his survey of the agricultural potential of the Kenya Coast.

Fitzgerald writes that he arrived in Malindi on the 15th of July 1891 and stayed with the officer in charge of Malindi District, Mr. Bell Smith. His house was a two storied white building on the beach and was conspicuous from the sea. Mr. Smith was at that time overseeing the construction of the office of the Imperial British East Africa Co.

Later the House of Columns was the first hospital for Malindi, several older people in Malindi have given accounts of how they were treated or had an operation in the small rooms on the first floor. When Malindi District Hospital was built in 1952, this building was taken over as the first fisheries office for Malindi. Tom Allfree in his autobiography relates he purchased the building from the Bohra community for 2000 pounds. The Fisheries Department moved out of the building when their current offices were built south of the House of Columns, along the beach.

Subsequently, the building housed the Game Department and then Wildlife Conservation and Management Department. When Kenya Wildlife Services came into being, the re- organization saw all the KWS offices being located at the Malindi Marine Park at Casuarina Point. Range Management/ Livestock Development officers occupied the ground floor of the building until the then Director of KWS Dr. Richard Leakey agreed the Historical building should be handed over to National Museums of Kenya.

The building was re-named “House of Columns” due to the thick columns at the front which support the upper floors. It was opened as a first Museum in Malindi on the 10th of May 2004, with Exhibition space on the ground floor and the Webb Memorial Library and Resource Centre upstairs.

8.       THE MALINDI HERITAGE COMPLEX MUSEUM

The Complex included the garage (present chief`s office), the District Officer`s Cottage (presently My Way Bar & restaurant) and the Prince Henry the Navigator Monument (Constructed in 1961), four cannons (3 iron and 1 bronze) and a bronze bell. The bronze canon was fired to start the Malindi Festival each year, and the bell was rung to mark office hours.

At Independence in 1963, the British appointed District Officer was replaced by the first Kenyan District Officer, Sheikh Azzan Bin Rashid, who had been the Liwali ( Sultan of Zanzibar`s representative ). The D.O lived in upstairs apartment for a year, but later had to move out as the rooms were required for government offices.  When Malindi, which was a Sub District of the larger Kilifi District, was elevated to full District status in November 1966, the building became the office of the first Malindi District Commissioner, Ms. Clare Omollo.

The building was gazetted as a National Monument in 1991 and the DC and his staff moved to their new offices in July 2012. National Museums of Kenya then rehabilitated the building and it was opened to the public on the 24th of December 2013. The large airy rooms on the upper floor now contain exhibitions on the Mijikenda and Taita/Dawhida people. On the ground floor are Swahili and the Underwater Cultural Heritage exhibitions.

9.       MAMBRUI SAND DUNES - EXCURSION

Before you think that the cover photos was taken in Lateste-de-Buch in Arcachon bay in France or Namib in Walvis bay or Dubai? I need to tell you that it was actually taken at malindi in mambrui.it will take you thirty minutes drive from malindi town... Sand dunes are landforms made of sand that are shaped into hills, ridges, or mounds by wind or water over many years. They are often found along beaches or in deserts, and form when wind blows sand into a sheltered area behind an obstacle. As more grains of sand accumulate, the dunes grow and take on different shapes depending on the type of sand, wind direction, and environment. Dunes can have a windward side and a slipface, and usually form in bands that get taller and more chaotic the further away they are from the beach.

10.   SARDEGNA ISLAND IN MALINDI

We call it sea adventure. The journey begins at 9:00 am to 9:30am until 16:00 hrs.We visit KWS office for verification and ticket check into our boat to a place that is reserved by (KWS) Kenya Wildlife Service only for snorkeling. We are going to spend 1 ½ hrs to 2hrs snorkeling. We are going to offer snorkeling masks. If you can’t swim we offer life jackets. After snorkeling we are going to the magic island. On your way to Sardegna Island we will have a glance at Fishemen Village called Mayungu.The distance between snorkeling area to magic island its 45 minutes sideways. At the magic island we will have BBQ sea foods. For vegetarian we have a special package for them. After eating we will have relaxation for half an hour after that we go back home end of our trip.You can compare magic island to sardegna, Anse source D’ argent saycheues/ pollinate beach, hawaill USA camps, Bay Cape Town South Africa.

Departure time 9:00 am we come back at 4:00pm

All Inclusive of:-

• Transport to and fro, Private boat, Marine park fees, Snorkeling equipment, First Aid kit, Professional tour guide, Sea food, BBQ, baraccuda fish, lobsters, prawns, octopus, rice with stew, assorted soft drinks and assorted fruits.Alcoholic drinks ( Sweet red wine, dry red wine, sweet white wine, dry white wine, Whiskey, Beer), Non alcoholic drink, Water, passion juice, tamarind juice and orange juice. Snacks (Vegetable samosa, meat samosa, cheese, paprika crisps, cassava crisps and onion crisps.