Malindi
Malindi, a coastal town that once saw Vasco da Gama scratching his head, shows its old scars with pride. Fishermen drag nets under a sun that does not care about deadlines. Acacia trees lean just so, whispering about ancient Swahili sultans and afternoons lost to the Indian Ocean. Coconut vendors will try to sell you more than coconuts, but they will also tell you where to watch the sun drop into the sea, if you ask. A tuk-tuk driver once insisted I try grilled octopus, and somehow, my shoes were never the same again. Popular things to do or visit in Malindi? Snorkeling, eating mangoes, and, sometimes, losing track of what day it is. The best hotel in Malindi is the one where the geckos sing you to sleep, but don’t tell the travel agents I said that.
Local weather in Kenya
SPRING
warm & sunny
SUMMER
warm & sunny
AUTUMN
warm & sunny
WINTER
warm & sunny
Accommodations in Malindi
Discover the best accommodations for Malindi and start planning your holiday.
Travel destination popular things to do or visit in Malindi, and the best hotel in Malindi
People come to Malindi for the sand, but stay for the stories. Some swear by the ancient ruins of Gede, where monkeys outnumber tourists and the past echoes in Swahili, not English. The Vasco da Gama Pillar stands, probably a bit confused by all the selfie sticks. I once met a traveler who tried to photograph every dhow on the horizon, only to realize halfway that he had lost count and his camera battery. Oh, technology, you tricky goat.
Wander through the local markets, where a chicken might chase you, or you might chase a chicken—depends on your mood and the heat. If you ask three people about the best hotel in Malindi, you will get four answers and one marriage proposal. Some hotels offer rooftop views where you can watch kitesurfers tumble into the sea, and some offer showers with a personality of their own (think cold water with the sense of humor). Travel tip: If you find seashells in your shoes, consider it a blessing, or a practical joke by the sand. Malindi does not rush, and neither should you. The best hotel in Malindi? It’s probably the one next to the bakery that opens before sunrise, but I could be wrong—I usually am before coffee.
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