Malaika Beach Villas - Resort in Watamu, Kenya

+254 796 035766 | info@malaikabeachvillas.com

Exploring Mida Creek

For the daily episode of our virtual blog, we want to let you exploring Mida Creek.

Mida Creek is a natural inlet in the coast about 5 km deep south of Watamu which stands out from the surrounding nature for completely different fauna and flora creating a unique eco-system of its kind.

Mida Creek has been designated by UNESCO as Biosphere Reserve because it is here that one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in the world is preserved: there are nine types, along with thirty-three species of algae. With the Arabuko Sokoke forest, Mida Creek has been designated the second largest ornithological reserve in Africa.

Research indicated that the mangrove forest and other marine resources are a great economic, ecological and environmental resource for the local village communities. The forest provides construction timber for houses and boats, firewood, coal. Minor uses of mangrove products include medical and pharmaceutical applications, tanning material and furniture production.

Today, with its shallow fjords, ruled by the tides and protected by a tangle of rhizomes that seem to want to prevent any human passage, this large marine lagoon, a comfortable bed of aquatic plants (of the genus Posidonia) and corals, is a labyrinth of waterways where the Indian Ocean is wedged, forming several small islets.

Mida Creek is home to many fish species and a feeding site for sea turtles.

Moreover, it has been designated by UNESCO as Bird International Zone given that sixty-five species of birds live there, some settled, other nomads, storks, herons, pink flamingos among others.

There are several ways to visit Mida Creek: on a boat, crossing these channels to discover the vast multitude of birds that inhabit the surrounding jungle. Alternatively, you can visit the lagoon on foot, walking along the bridge, which, from the mainland, crosses a part of the lagoon and which is not by chance called ‘the Indiana Jones bridge’.

The lagoon is also an incredible destination for kayaking and canoeing, with endless small canals and passages through the mangroves to explore. You can also take a paddleboard.

Mida Creek, that is around Watamu area, is only 30 minutes away from the resort.

Our resort is located in a very strategic position so that many places to be visited can be reached in a very few time! Check the other excursions we can arrange for you!

We hope you enjoyed this “exploring Mida Creek”!
We also love to tell you that from August the first we will be able to re-open our resort. Stay tuned to visit our country deeply following our Facebook and Instagram page and, if you have any question, feel free to reach us from our contact page.

Discover Robinson Island and She Shale

Hi there! Hope everything is going well for you. For the daily episode of our virtual tour, we let you discover the island of Robinson Island and She Shale.

To discover the island of Robinson implies many other experiences in the meanwhile. Being an hour and a half away from Malindi, the departure is in the early morning. On the way, it will be possible to see pink flamingos and hippos. 
Sunny morning, fresh sky, and sounds of Africa in the surrounding: this is the situation you leave with. Along the way we will meet spectacular expanses of agave, baobabs and palms; moreover, we cross Sabaki river, the longest in Kenya (390 km).

Then we will stop to allow you taking some pictures with the giant hippos that populate the banks of the river and dive into the watercourse.
Shortly after we meet other animals: pink flamingos. Getting out of the car we go up in a pirogue and, after passing a small mangrove forest, we reach the island of Robinson. The name of the island is exotic as well as the atmosphere you breathe. The boat belongs to Karonte, a nice character that will cheer our short crossing with Italian songs.

Once on the island, we can sunbathe before heading to the characteristic restaurant made with mangroves where we can enjoy Robinson’s famous red crabsA small “siesta” after lunch is a Must and then we will return to the village. Along the way, there is another famous attraction: She Shale. It is the golden beach where it is possible to admire the pyrite flakes that colour the sand like so many fragments of gold. It is strongly suggested to visit it! This area is very aimed to be visited by the Kyte surf lovers. 
Regarding this, Malaika Beach Resort staff is pleased to help you finding someone who gives you some Kyte surf lessons!
Please check the other excursions and don’t lose the opportunity of living the real Africa!

We hope you enjoyed this step of our “virtual tour“!
We also love to tell you that from August the first we will be able to re-open our resort. Stay tuned to visit our country deeply following our Facebook and Instagram page and, if you have any question, feel free to reach us from our contact page.