Journey Through the Land of Endless Adventures

Malindi, one of East Africa’s oldest coastal towns, likely dates back to the 9th century and was inhabited by Arabs by the 13th century, as evidenced by porcelain findings. Vasco da Gama stopped there in 1498 during his voyage to India. In the 16th century, Malindi prospered as a major trade hub for the Portuguese, Arabs, and Indians. However, its decline began when the Portuguese moved their base to Mombasa, which offered a deeper harbor and better defenses.

Programm:

• At 2:00 PM pick up from the hotel and  visit to the vibrant Malindi local market, full of fruits, vegetables, clothes, domestic items for daily use etc.
• Then visit of the Vasco da Gama’s Pillar an historical monument erected by the Portuguese in 1498 when they first landed in Malindi.
• Stop at a small Portuguese chapel.
• Visit to the Malindi wood carving industry and its showroom: It’s unbelievable seeing the artisans working with basic tools but producing very fine objects.
• Visit the Malindi falconry. It features a large collection of birds of prey and other animals e.g. snakes, crocodiles. You can see falcons and eagles at a close range. They nurse injured, orphaned and breed some of the endangered species (extra charge).
• Return to the hotel on time for dinner.

Tips: comfortable clothing, mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes (sneakers).

It is a major seaport, and its strategic position made it often fought over passing rule between foreign powers, Arabs, Persians & the Portuguese. The Portuguese built an impressive fort in 1595 & named it the Fort Jesus. The town came under British administration in 1895. The tour gives you an insight into the rich history and cultural heritage of the people of the coast of East Africa. It takes you to the most notable and interesting landmarks of the town.

Programm:

• Departure after breakfast from the hotel and drive to Mombasa
• Visit to the Mackinnon Market: the historical market also affectional known as MARIKITI by the locals is a vibrant hub of flavours and colours. For generations, Mombasa residents have flocked to the market for their daily essentials from fresh produce of fruits and veggies, snacks, spices, craft and jewellery to clothes etc.
• Visit of the Old town: walk along the narrow streets of the old town. Admire its architecture, houses with fascinating wooden curved doors and balconies.
• Visit to the Fort Jesus: this architectural impressive structure designed by Giovani Battista and built by the Portuguese in 1593-1596 to protect the port of Mombasa, has witnessed sieges, trade and changing tides of power. It’s one the most outstanding and well-preserved examples of 16th Century Portuguese military fortification and landmark in the history of this type of construction.
• Visit to the Mama Ngina Waterfront: a public park, place for leisure overlooking the Likoni channel where ships glide in and out of the port of Mombasa, ferries which connect the Island to the South mainland. Snack, open air restaurants, cafe with ocean views and a place for cultural exhibitions.
• The Elephant tusks: the emblem of Mombasa
• Visit to the Akamba wood carving industry, where raw timber is transformed into intricate sculptures, each piece echoing tradition, culture and skill.
• Visit of the Bamburi Nature Trail/Haller Park: an ecological showcase transformed from cement quarry to a lush green nature park. A home to a variety wildlife, crocodiles, hippos, giant tortoises, giraffes, oryx, birds and other species of animals.
• Lunch break in one of selected restaurants and return at the respective hotels on time for dinner.

Tips: comfortable clothing, mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes (sneakers). Lunch included

Watamu is a small coastal village known for its stunning natural beauty. The Watamu Marine National Park is one of the most interesting places to visit. It boasts three bays with white sandy beaches and a stunning coral display that offers one of the best snorkelling and diving experiences. This enchanting paradise is surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty, fringed by lush tropical rainforests and mangroves which supports both aquatic and terrestrial life.

Programm:

• At 08.30 a.m. pick-up from your hotel to Kenya Wildlife (KWS) office, where you’ll embark on a glass bottom boat and cruise along the coastline to Watamu Marne park. On your way you may spot dolphins which are normally found in the area between November to March.
• Arrival at the park, where you’ll be equipped with a mask to discover the marine world, beautiful corals, and multi-coloured tropical fishes.
• After snorkelling proceed to the pristine white sandy beach of Garoda for relaxation, walking on its powdered white sandy beach or swimming on its crystal waters!
• After Garoda proceed to Sudi Island for your lunch. A menu of mixed seafood, grilled fish is served accompanied with rice, coconut sauce, fresh fruits, and soft drinks.
• After lunch, an optional tour organized by the villagers to explore the thick mangrove forest on a local wooden boat (at an extra charge). The mangrove forest has a unique natural habitat.
• Around 4:00 p.m. the excursion concludes by returning the participants to their respective hotels.

Tips: swimsuit, comfortable clothing, beach towels, sunscreen (50 SFP recommended).

The Watamu National Marine Park and Reserve offer the best snorkelling and diving experiences, with a complex of marine and tidal habitats that are rich in diverse marine and bird life.

Programm:

• Departure in the morning after breakfast
• Arrival at the anchorage and embark on a traditional, fully equipped dhow for a cruise along the coast. From November to March there is the possibility to see the dolphines.
  On the boat you will be equipped with snorkels to discover marine life.
• During the cruise, we will take a break to dive into the crystal-clear waters and snorkel to admire the underwater life.
• Sailing along Midas Creek to Sudi Island for lunch. The lunch is based on grilled fish, lobster, shrimps, etc. and you can eat in the picturesque beach restaurant or comfortably seated at the table of your boat.
• After some relaxation, the programm foreseen a canoe ride to venture into the meandering Mida creek, surrounded by dense mangrove forest.
• Return cruise and arrival at the hotel in mid-afternoon.

Tips: swimsuit, comfortable clothing, beach towels, sunscreen (50 SFP recommended).

Programm:

• At 3.30 p.m. pick up from the hotel to visit one of the wonders of the region: the Marafa canyon. Marafa is one of the most striking landscapes in Africa a surreal canyon, the largest on the entire Dark Continent. An immense sandstone canyon that is constantly changing due to continuous erosion by wind and rain, creating great stone pillars up to 30 metres high whose colour changes from deep red to orange, from yellow ochre to white. The legend has it that the red of the hills is the blood of the family punished by God for its waste, the white is the colour of the milk wasted by the family and the yellow, is the colour of God’s wrath towards the family. The legend tells of a wealthy family, owners of innumerable lands and a large herd of cattle, living in Marafa whose water, a basic necessity, was too far from their home and fetching it took time and effort, so they decided to use the milk from the cows to wash themselves and their clothes. When God realised such waste, he unleashed a huge rainstorm on Marafa, creating a deep gorge that swallowed the family and made it so hot that it was completely inhospitable to humans. A guided tour takes you down into the canyon and then back up on one of its sides, to enjoy one the magical and spectacular African sunsets.
• Return to the hotel in time for dinner after the sunset.

Tips: comfortable clothing, mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes (sneakers).

Programm:

• At 3:30 p.m. pick up from the hotel to1i visit the mysterious & atmospheric ruins of the ancient Swahili Arab settlement of Gede. Built during the 12th century, but suddenly and inexplicable abandoned in the 17th century. To this day no one is quite sure what happened to the town or its people. Your guide will take you through the history of this ancient coastal town. Although there are few historical documents that associate Gedi with trade in the Indian Ocean, the site is thought to have been one of the most important on the coast. Its architecture: the ruins of its standing buildings which include mosques, a palace, and numerous houses, a stone single storey & stone ‘pillar tomb. And the abundance of imported cultural material from the archeological excavation findings (Chinese & Islamic porcelains, glass & shell beads, gold & silver jewelry, coins, and vessels used for cooking & storage, testify that Gedi had a wealthy population.
• Afterwards, dance to the tunes of the Giriama dancers. Giriama are the local people who inhabit this area and are well known for their performance of traditional dances.
• Return to the hotel after the dance.

Tips: comfortable clothing, mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes.

Programm:

• At 3:30 p.m. pick up from your hotel to visit the mysterious and atmospheric ruins of the ancient Swahili Arab settlement. Gede or Gedi was built during the 12th century, but suddenly and inexplicably abandoned in the 17th century. To this day no one is quite sure what happened to the town or its people. Your guide will take you through the history of this ancient coastal town. Although there are few historical documents that associate Gedi with trade in the Indian Ocean, the site is thought to have been one of the most important on the coast. Its architecture: the ruins of its standing buildings which include mosques, a palace, and numerous houses, a stone single storey & stone pillar tomb. The abundance of imported cultural material from the archeological excavation findings;(Chinese & Islamic porcelains, glass & shell beads, gold & silver jewelry, coins, and vessels used for cooking & storage.) Testify that Gedi had a wealthy population.
• Afterwards, dance to the tunes of the Giriama dancers. Giriama are the local people who inhabit this area and are well known for their performance of traditional dances.
• After the dance, proceed to Crab shack restaurant for either a mangrove board walk, a canoe ride to the mangrove forest (at extra charge) or lazy around at the mangrove terrace viewing the spectacular African sunset while enjoying a local aperitif.
• Return to the hotel after the sunset.

Tips: comfortable clothing, mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes.

Programm:

• At 08:30 a.m. pick up from the hotel and drive north of Malindi town.
• Arrive at a fishermen’s village and a boat ride takes you across to Robinson Island. The Robinsons Island is a place of natural beauty, take a walk on one of the unspoiled environments at the Coast of Kenya. Explore and admire the beauty of the surrounding mangrove forest and the pristine white sandy beach.
• Lunch served at Robinson Island private beach; mixed seafood with the island’s endemic crab, grilled fish accompanied with rice, tropical fruits & coffee.
• Afer lunch relax or stroll at the beach.
• Around 3:30 p.m. departure to the Hell’s Kitchen in Marafa. Marafa Canyon is one of the most striking landscapes in Africa, a surreal canyon, the largest on the entire Dark Continent. They call it the devil’s kitchen, because of the extremely high temperatures it reaches. The rains and winds are the architects of this spectacle of nature, and the erosion of the sandstone rock creates an extraordinary scenery. Red earth contrasts with the blue of the sky and the green of the forests, shades between white and ochre, sandstone spires and pillars form the canyon that is lost among large clearings, villages, and acacia forests. Let yourself be enchanted by the colours typical of Africa. A guided tour takes you down into the canyon and then back up on one of its sides, to enjoy one the magical and spectacular African sunsets.
• Return to the hotel in time for dinner after the sunset.

Tips: swimsuit, comfortable clothing, beach towels, sunscreen (50 SFP recommended), mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes (sneakers)

Mambrui is a sleepy town in the north of Malindi along the Kenyan Coast. It was once a coastal hub of culture and trade. There are remains of a 200-years old mosque and abandoned ruin which is covered in the sand. In 2012, a team of Kenyan and Chinese archaeologist discovered a 15th Century Chinese coin, remains of iron slag and a jade-green shard of porcelain which they believe belonged to the Ming dynasty. This discovery gives an insight into history of the town. Besides its archaeological and historical significance, Mambrui has something more fascinating to offer to its visitors and of which it’s our main focus: the magnificent and breathtaking scenic Sand Dunes with the Golden beach. The sand dunes lay just besides the Ocean and are results of sand deposits from the nearby river, the Sabaki river which flows into the Indian Ocean. Its beautiful and impressive beach which is known as the Golden beach is named after bronze/gold colored sand which is rich in pyrite. At low tide, the reflection of the sun creates a gleaming golden patina. Throw your palms on the sand, you’ll find them full of gold flakes.

Programm:

• After breakfast depart from hotel and drive towards Malindi town, then proceed northwards along the Malindi – Lamu road passing through several villages which gives you a glimpse of the daily life of the local people.
• Arrived at the famous Goden beach hidden in the sleepy Villages of Mambrui you will be welcomed with drink from our host Juna’s Restaurant, then followed by fun thrilled activities.
• Stroll along the beach to discover the Sand Dunes of Mambrui, swimming and sunbathing. The aesthetic beauty of its surrounding is also dotted with Baobab, Palm trees & vast grassland. Here, the nature is quiet, only the beauty & the Ocean waves speak louder!
• The seafood lunch will be served at Juna’s beach restaurant followed by time at leisure. Relax at the restaurant private beach or take a walk along the beach then drive back to your respective hotel.

Tips: swimsuit, comfortable clothing, beach towels, sunscreen (50 SFP recommended), mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes (sneakers)

Programm:

• After breakfast departure from hotel and drive towards Malindi town, then proceed northwards along the Malindi – Lamu road passing through several villages which gives you a glimpse of the daily life of the local people.
• Arrival at the famous Goden beach hidden in the sleepy Villages of Mambrui you will be welcomed with drink from our host Juna’s Restaurant, then followed by fun thrilled activities. Stroll along the beach to discover the Sand Dunes of Mambrui, swimming and sunbathing. The aesthetic beauty of its surrounding is also dotted with Baobab, Palm trees & vast grassland. Here, the nature is quiet, only the beauty & the Ocean waves speak louder! The seafood lunch will be served at Juna’s beach restaurant followed by a little relax
• Departure to the Marafa Canyon, also known as Hell’s Kitchen.
• Guided Tour of the gorges of the Canyon whose colors varies during the day based on the inclination of the sunrays. Observe a magical African sunset with breathtaking colours!
• Return to the hotel for dinner.

Tips: swimsuit, comfortable clothing, beach towels, sunscreen (50 SFP recommended), mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes (sneakers)