Where the Indian Ocean meets centuries of Swahili and Arab trade routes, Kenya’s north coast has long lured explorers. Malindi’s coral mosques and Portuguese relics sit beside white-sand beaches, while nearby Watamu protects a dazzling marine park of turtles, dolphins, and reef fish. Inland, Tsavo East National Park opens into red-earth savannah, where elephants bathe in ochre dust and lions patrol under huge skies.

Expect variety: spice-scented markets, dhow-sailed sandbars, mangrove creeks filled with birds, and silent dawn game drives. This 10-day itinerary balances beach time with culture and conservation—think Gede Ruins, Marafa “Hell’s Kitchen,” Mida Creek kayaking, and a classic overnight safari in Tsavo East. It’s paced for travelers who like immersive days and unhurried evenings.

Practical notes: Kenya operates an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA); apply online several days before arrival. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the coast and parks; carry repellent and sun protection. Park and marine fees are payable (budget roughly $60–80 per adult/day for Tsavo East and about $20–25 for Watamu Marine Park; confirm current KWS rates). Mobile money (M-Pesa) is ubiquitous, and ATMs are available in Malindi and Watamu.

Malindi

Malindi is a storied port where Vasco da Gama once anchored and Italian gelaterias rub shoulders with Swahili courtyards. Explore the Old Town’s carved doors, the coral-stone Portuguese Chapel, and the oceanside Vasco da Gama Pillar, then drift to beach clubs for sunsets and seafood.

• Top sights: Malindi Museum, Portuguese Chapel, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Silversands Beach, Marafa “Hell’s Kitchen.”
• Food & coffee: Italian influence runs deep—expect superb pastas, wood-fired pizza, and gelato alongside Swahili curries and fresh-caught seafood.
• Stay: Browse stays via VRBO Malindi or Hotels.com Malindi; look for beachfront resorts near Silversands or boutique hideaways in casuarina groves.
• Getting in: Fly into Malindi (MYD) via Nairobi or Mombasa—compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. MYD–NBO is about 1h10m; MYD–MBA about 40m.

Day 1: Arrival in Malindi—Beach Breeze and Swahili Flavors

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel near Silversands. Stretch your legs on the beach—low tide reveals broad sand and rock pools teeming with tiny crabs and urchins.

Evening: Dinner at Baby Marrow (Italian classics with coastal seafood—try octopus carpaccio and fresh tagliolini) or La Malindina (romantic garden setting, grilled kingfish and zesty Swahili curry). For a casual gelato-and-espresso nightcap, stop by Non Solo Gelato by Anna.

Day 2: Malindi Old Town, Museum, and Oceanfront Landmarks

Morning: Start with cappuccinos and croissants at Bar Bar (also great for omelets and smoothies). Explore the Malindi Museum (colonial-era house with Swahili history exhibits) and the coral-built Portuguese Chapel.

Afternoon: Walk to the Vasco da Gama Pillar, an early 16th‑century navigational marker watching over the surf. Snack on samosas and spiced chai at a local café near the market—look for fresh mabuyu (baobab seed treats) sold by vendors.

Evening: Sunset aperitivo at Osteria Beach (wood-fired pizzas, grilled lobster, ocean breeze). If it’s Monday, Rosada Beach Club is famous for its sand-between-the-toes party nights.

Optional guided tour (adds context and easy transport):

Gede Ruins & Malindi Tour

Day 3: Robinson Island Sandbar and Marafa “Hell’s Kitchen”

Morning: Light breakfast at your hotel, then head out with a local boatman to Robinson Island (also called Mayungu Sandbar). At mid‑tide the sandbar appears like a white ribbon; swim, snorkel, and enjoy tropical fruit on the dhow.

Afternoon: Return for a seafood lunch—grilled prawns and coconut rice are winners—then drive inland to Marafa Depression (Hell’s Kitchen), a sandstone canyon glowing red, pink, and gold.

Evening: Watch canyons blaze at sunset before returning to town. Dine at Driftwood Beach Club (barbecue nights and breezy terrace) or go local with a Swahili pilau at a simple eatery near Uhuru Garden.

Bookable combo (transport + guiding):

Tour Malindi & Robinson Island & Marafa Hell's Kitchen

Day 4: Full-Day Snorkeling—Watamu Marine Park by Dhow

Spend the day aboard a traditional dhow in the Malindi–Watamu Marine Parks. Expect snorkel stops over coral gardens, a good chance of spotting dolphins in season, a seafood lunch on a sandbank, and time to float in turquoise shallows. Marine fees apply; bring reef-safe sunscreen.

Full Day Private Safari Blue Tour from Malindi

Dinner: Celebrate with coastal specialties: tamarind crab, ginger-lime snapper, or a vegetarian coconut bean stew. For dessert, pistachio gelato back at Non Solo Gelato.

Watamu

Just 35 minutes south, Watamu is a laid-back village fronting one of East Africa’s best marine reserves. It’s a haven for snorkelers and divers, birders on Mida Creek, and families who like a walkable beach town with excellent dining.

• Top sights: Watamu Marine National Park, Mida Creek boardwalk and mangroves, Gede Ruins, Arabuko–Sokoke Forest, Bio-Ken Snake Farm (research and education).
• Stay: See VRBO Watamu or Hotels.com Watamu—Hemingways, Ocean Sports, and boutique villas near Turtle Bay are consistent favorites.
• Getting there (Day 5 morning): Malindi to Watamu by taxi is ~30–40 minutes (25–30 km), typically KES 1,500–3,000 (~$12–24). Ask your hotel to arrange.

Day 5: Transfer to Watamu, Beach Time, and Creekside Sunset

Morning: Check out in Malindi and transfer to Watamu. Drop bags and stroll Turtle Bay; the sand here is powdery and the water bathtub‑warm.

Afternoon: Lunch at Pilipan on Mida Creek (Asian-fusion—order the crispy calamari and Thai basil chicken). Relax by the pool or nap under palms.

Evening: Head to Crab Shack Dabaso, a community project on a boardwalk threading the mangroves. Sunset over the creek is magical; the signature chilli-garlic crab and grilled octopus are musts.

Day 6: Kayaking Mida Creek and Village Eats

Morning: Kayak the sheltered channels of Mida Creek with a local guide. Look for kingfishers, herons, and fiddler crabs waving oversized claws along the mudflats.

Mida creek mangrove Kayaking adventure in Watamu, Kenya

Afternoon: Refuel with fresh juices and chapati wraps at a simple village café. Visit the Bio‑Ken Snake Farm to learn about venom research and local snakebite treatment—educational and surprisingly fascinating.

Evening: Sundowners at Lichthaus (Temple Point) cantilevered above the creek; then dinner at Hemingways Watamu—think grilled reef fish, coconut prawn curry, and a solid wine list.

Day 7: Gede Ruins and Arabuko–Sokoke Forest

Morning: Coffee and pastries at your lodge. Explore the Gede Ruins, a 12th–17th century Swahili city swallowed by coastal forest. Banyan roots engulf coral-stone walls—go with a community guide for rich stories.

Afternoon: Birding walk in Arabuko–Sokoke Forest (home to the endemic Sokoke scops owl and Amani sunbird). Non-birders can opt for a second snorkel in the marine park—clear morning seas are common from Jan–Mar and Jul–Oct.

Evening: Dinner at Medina Palms (Amandina) or beachy Ocean Sports for wood-fired pizza and coastal drafts. Early night—you’ll be up before dawn for safari.

Tsavo East National Park

Kenya’s largest protected area, Tsavo East is classic East African savannah: red-dusted elephants, lone acacias, and broad horizons. Waterholes near Voi draw herds at dusk; lucky visitors spot lions, cheetahs, and the elegant gerenuk.

• Where to stay: Consider Voi Safari Lodge (perched above a waterhole), Ashnil Aruba (near Aruba Dam), or Satao Camp (tented, with frequent elephant visits). Search availability via Hotels.com Voi or look for bush villas on VRBO Voi.
• Logistics: Watamu/Malindi to Sala Gate is ~2.5–3 hours by 4x4. Most tours include transport, guide, park fees (sometimes separate), accommodation, and meals.

Day 8: Into the Red-Earth Wild—Tsavo East Overnight Safari

Depart Watamu after an early breakfast for Sala Gate. Game drive en route to your lodge, watching for elephant families, oryx, and buffalo. After lunch and a rest, head out for a golden-hour drive—predators are most active as heat fades.

2 Days, 1 Night - Tsavo East National Park Safari

Dinner: Most lodges are full‑board—expect hearty grills and Kenyan staples (ugali, sukuma wiki). After dinner, watch the lodge waterhole; elephants often drift in under starlight.

Day 9: Dawn Drive, Return to the Coast

Sunrise game drive when wildlife is lively and light is honey‑soft. After breakfast, check out and drive back to Malindi (about 3–3.5 hours depending on gate and road conditions). Rest by the pool.

Evening: Final feast at Osteria Beach or a Swahili seafood platter (try coconut crab with tamarind dip). Toast the trip with fresh passionfruit juice or a Tusker.

Prefer a day-trip safari instead? Consider this from the coast:

Private Full Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park from Malindi

Day 10: Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Brunch in Malindi—eggs and fruit at Bar Bar or a simple Swahili breakfast of mahamri (cardamom doughnuts) with coconut beans. Shop for kikois (striped cotton wraps), hand-carved salad servers, and fragrant spices.

Afternoon: Transfer to Malindi Airport for your flight, or continue south to Mombasa if you’re extending your Kenya itinerary. For flights, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Extra Tips: Costs, Seasons, and Swaps

• Transport estimates: Malindi↔Watamu taxi KES 1,500–3,000 (~$12–24). Coast↔Tsavo return overland with guide and 4x4 is typically bundled in safari pricing.
• Safari pricing: Overnight packages commonly range $250–450 per person/day depending on lodge, season, and inclusions; park fees are additional if not bundled.
• Best times: Jan–Mar and Jul–Oct offer the clearest seas and driest safari conditions. Apr–Jun can be rainy with choppier water; visibility varies.
• Dining highlights to mix in: Billionaire Resort for refined grills; Driftwood for weekly barbecues; Crab Shack and Pilipan for Mida Creek sunsets.

This 10-day plan stitches together a classic Kenya Coast and safari combo, from Malindi’s heritage to Watamu’s reefs and Tsavo’s wilderness. You’ll leave with sandy sandals, memory cards full of turtles and elephants, and a new love for Swahili spice and starlit savannah skies.