How to get to Malindi

Written by: Humphrey N. Ndara

Discover a coastal gem in Kenya’s Kilifi County, a hub associated with distinctive Swahili-inspired architecture, exquisite white, sandy beaches, and outstanding seafood. The popular seaside destination of Malindi is wonderful to experience as a stand-alone beach destination or in combination with an East African safari, with convenient access.

Flying to Malindi

Located at the mouth of the Sabaki River, Malindi Marine National Park is situated 86 miles northeast of the Kenyan city of Mombasa. The nearest International airport to the coastal town is Mombasa’s Moi International Airport which is a scenic two-hour drive to the idyllic beaches and historic sites of Malindi.

Flights from Europe hail from destinations such as Germany and Italy with airlines such as Eurowings, Condor and Neos offering flights into Mombasa’s MOI Airport. British Airways, Xamen Airlines from China, Qatar Airlines, and Emirates from the Middle East are other airlines that connect visitors from around the world with the magic of Malindi with flights into Mombasa. The Country’s home airline, Kenya Airways, offers flights from around Africa with domestic flights from Nairobi operating several times a day.

Why visit Malindi?

One of the main reasons travelers from around the world visit Kenya is to embark on an unforgettable safari, the game reserves and national parks of Kenya are among some of the most popular and famous in the world. To enhance their East African experience, many safari-goers add a beach escape to their itinerary.

Spending anywhere from three to five to seven nights on the white sands of the Malindi beaches makes for a perfect addition to any safari. The contrast of open savannas and land-based wildlife to an aquatic scene of brilliant corals and brightly toned marine life offers the guests the best of both worlds.

How to get to Malindi from the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Getting to Malindi from the Masai Mara is possible with guests having the popular option of either:

Flying directly from the Mara to Kenya’s Malindi Airport, followed by a 10 to 30 Minutes’ drive to your Malindi or Watamu Beach Resorts.

Flying from the Masai Mara to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, where they will connect with a two-hour flight to Malindi’s own small airport (airport code MYD).

Once guests have arrived in Malindi, they will be transferred in a private vehicle  to the beach resort or boutique hotel of their choice, a journey that should not take more than twenty minutes.

Day Visits to Malindi

If Malindi is not a visitor’s destination of choice for an overnight stop on their Kenyan east coast beach stay, day visits from surrounding areas such as Watamu (located 13 miles from Malindi) or from the island of Lamu (a 22–minute flight) are popular options.

Visitors to the Kenya coast may wish to divide their time between popular Diani Beach in the south and Malindi up north. The drive of three and a half hours will allow visitors the chance to visit historic landmarks and experience the wonderful waters of the warm Indian Ocean from north to south…or south to north!

No matter how one gets to Malindi, all who visit and experience this region of Kenya’s east coastline will agree that the journey and adventure are certainly well worth it.