WORLD ▫
AFRICA ▫
KENYA ▫
MALINDI
|
Malindi
Malindi (once known as Melinde) is a town on Malindi Bay at the mouth of the Galana River, lying on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is 120 kilometres northeast of Mombasa. The population of Malindi is 117,735 (in 1999 census).
It is the capital of the Malindi District.
Tourism is the major industry in Malindi. The city is exceptionally popular among Italian tourists. Malindi is served with a domestic airport and a highway between Mombasa and Lamu. The nearby Watamu resort and Gedi Ruins (also known as Gede) are located south of Malindi. The mouth of the Sabaki River lies in northern Malindi. The Watamu and Malindi Marine National Parks form a continuous protected coastal area south of Malindi. The area shows classic examples of Swahili architecture.
Malindi is home to the Malindi Airport, and Broglio Space Port.
History
Malindi has been a Swahili settlement since the 14th century. Once rivaled only by Mombasa for dominance in this part of East Africa, Malindi has traditionally been a port city for foreign powers. In 1414, the town was visited by the fleet of the Chinese explorer Zheng He. Malindis ruler sent a personal envoy together with a giraffe as a present to China on that fleet.
The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama met Malindi authorities in 1498 to sign a trade agreement and hire a guide for the voyage to India, when he erected a still existent coral pillar. In 1499 the Portuguese established a trading post in Malindi which served as a resting stop on the way to and from India. A church dates from this era. The pillar stands to this day, though there have been calls by conservationists to take care of the pillar, since soil erosion might make the pillar fall into the ocean.
Many traditional buildings survive, including the Juma Mosque and palace on the beach, a stretch popular with tourists.
External links
http://www.malindikenya.com Magical Malindihttp://www.malindigreentown.org Making Malindi a Green Town
...
|
| Private Overnight Safari to Aberdares National Park |
2 days / 1 night |
|
Soaring mountain ranges give way to plummeting valleys as streams cascade over waterfalls, making Aberdares National Park a landscape lovers paradise. With over 250 species of bird, it is also a haven for bird watching enthusiasts.
Located in the heart of Aberdares National Park, The Ark is known as a "tree hotel", built on pylons in such a way as not to disturb the animals around the waterhole. Its three decks provide superb vantage points for game viewing around the floodlit waterhole.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
| Private Mombasa City Tour |
4 hours |
|
This Private Mombasa City Tour shows you some of the best highlights of this colorful old city. You tour will visit the bustling fruit and vegetable market, which has been in operation since colonial days. As you wonder the streets of The Old Arab town, you will see the intricate hand carved doors, and balconies hanging over the narrow streets, unchanged for hundreds of years.
Protecting the harbor stands Fort Jesus which was built by the Portuguese 400 years ago, to protect their interest in east Africa. See how it went from Fort to prison to tourist attraction.
Walk under the famous elephant tusks on Moi Ave, which you probably have seen in those old African adventure movies. Finally we visit the Akamba wood carvers center. Here you can purchase a fine hand carved African memento, that you would have to pay so dearly for back home.
For the photographer, sights and opportunities for great photos abound.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
| Private Mombasa City Tour and Bamburi Visit |
4 hours |
|
This Private Mombasa City Tour shows you some of the best highlights of this colorful old city. You tour will visit the bustling fruit and vegetable market, which has been in operation since colonial days. As you wander the streets of The Old Arab town, you will see the intricate hand carved doors, and balconies hanging over the narrow streets, unchanged for hundreds of years.
Protecting the harbor stands Fort Jesus which was built by the Portuguese 400 years ago, to protect their interest in east Africa. See how it went from Fort to prison to tourist attraction.
Walk under the famous elephant tusks on Moi Ave, which you probably have seen in those old African adventure movies. Continue to Akamba wood carvers center where you can purchase a fine hand carved African memento, that you would have to pay so dearly for back home.
The Bamburi Nature Trail is a rehabilitation project on the site of Bamburi Portland Cement Company. The project began in 1971 by Dr Rene Haller who transformed Haller Park by increasing the mineral contents in the soil, portions of Haller Park were rehabilitated with a successful tree-planting effort, which now includes fish breeding and the establishment of a wildlife park.
Each animal has a function on the nature trails thriving ecosystem, some of the animals found within the Haller park sanctuary include; hippos, giraffes, cape buffalo, zebra and waterbucks, as well as more than 160 bird species have been introduced to the area including weaver birds, cranes, pelicans and storks.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
|
|
|
