Guided Walk Through the Ruins
Your guide takes you through the coral stone walls, streets and houses of Gedi. The town was built around the 12th or 13th century, grew rich on Indian Ocean trade and was left empty by the 17th century. Historians still debate exactly why.
The Great Mosque and the Palace
The Great Mosque was the main place of worship in the town, and the palace was the home of its ruler. You can still see the prayer niche in the mosque wall and the deep well beside it, which was dug deeper over time as the water table dropped.
Pillar Tomb and Old Houses
The tour stops at the pillar tomb, where important people were buried, and at the houses of the town’s merchants. Your guide explains how families lived, cooked and traded here.
Gedi Museum
The small museum at the entrance shows pottery, beads and coins from as far as China and India. It proves how far this town’s trade reached.
Monkeys and Forest Birds
The ruins sit inside the Arabuko Sokoke forest, and a troop of Sykes’ monkeys lives among the walls. Hornbills, pygmy kingfishers and other forest birds are often seen from the paths.
Gedi Ruins Tour Itinerary
Times are a guide. We confirm your pick-up time when you book.
- 8:30 am: Pick-up from your hotel in Watamu. Guests in Malindi are collected earlier.
- 9:00 am: Arrive at Gedi and meet your site guide at the entrance.
- 9:15 am: Visit the museum and meet the monkeys.
- 9:45 am: Guided walk through the Great Mosque, the palace, the houses and the pillar tomb.
- 10:45 am: Forest trail past the well, with time for photos and birdwatching.
- 11:15 am: Drive back to your hotel.
- 11:45 am: Drop-off at your hotel.
What Is Included
- Private vehicle with hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Driver-guide
- Entrance fee to Gedi Ruins and the museum
- Local site guide
- Drinking water
What Is Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Tips for the guides
- Travel insurance
- Personal purchases
Good to Know
- Location: Gedi is about 16 km south of Malindi, close to Watamu. The drive takes about 20 to 25 minutes from either town.
- Best time: The morning is cooler and quieter, and the forest is at its most peaceful. We schedule the visit for then.
- Monkeys: The Sykes’ monkeys are used to visitors, but they steal food. Keep your bags closed, do not carry snacks in your hands and do not feed them.
- What to bring: A hat, water, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes and a camera.
Walking: The paths are uneven and there are steps and roots. The site is not suitable for wheelchairs. - Guide: We recommend the local guide because the ruins have no signs that explain the story.
Respect the site: The forest around Gedi is still a sacred place for the local community, and the ruins are a national monument. - Combine it: Gedi is close to Mida Creek, so it pairs well with our Mida Creek canoe tour on the same day.
