Already a significant Swahili settlement in the 14th century, Malindi has retained an older, traditional Swahili-Arab flavour, despite its modern-day reputation as the "little Italy" of Kenya due to the heavy Italian bias of its hotels and restaurants. Measuring 3 mls from NW to SE and ½ ml from E to W, it is far smaller than Mombasa with a maze-like old town of bustling, chaotic and narrow streets, supplemented by a couple of modern shopping parades boasting pizza restaurants, banks, offices, supermarkets and upmarket boutiques. Hotels are located along the beach, within 3 or 4 mls of each other. There is the possibility of terrorist attacks on tourists in Kenya; Foreign Office advisory notices offer the latest official advice and should be consulted before booking.

Package tours from continental Europe, specifically Italy and Germany. Will suit all sizes and ages including those wanting a bit of nightlife.

Plenty of choice to suit all tastes, from very cheap flop houses in the centre to package-tour beach hotels and a handful of exclusive, opulent palaces. High season is from Dec to March plus July and August when it is busy with European visitors.

The best are S of town towards Casuarina Point. These are white and wide, sheltered by coral reefs around 200 yds offshore, with warm water at low tide but extremely narrow at high tide. Hotels N of Uhuru Gardens have wide beaches of darker sand, unprotected by reefs; the sea can be wilder here but there are more opportunities for undisturbed walks and beachcombing. Beach facilities, where there are any, are exclusively provided by hotels. Generally, it is not advisable to wander around on the beaches after dark. Seaweed covers all beaches from June/July to Sept, and sometimes in Nov, although many hotels clear their beach fronts daily; the shore can also get very windy in Sept, when there is a risk of getting sand-blasted.

A true shopper's paradise. Upmarket outlets mix with lower-priced shops selling clothes, local fabrics and hippie-type clothing. Many stylish Italian shops. On the beach in town African carvers sell soapstone and wooden carvings. Lamu/Swahili-style furniture-makers on the outskirts of town. The open-air market is well worth a visit.

Daytime: scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling in Malindi National Marine Park; glass-bottomed boat trips out over the reef; tennis; 9-hole golf course; horse riding; exploring the area including the Vasco da Gama Pillar dating from 1499, Juma'a Mosque and a pillar tomb containing the remains of Sheikh Abdul Hassan. Nightlife: plenty of action with live music, discos, casino, many late bars and shows at the larger package-tour hotels.

Some of the best seafood and Italian restaurants in Kenya. Many pizzerias, several beer gardens and many other choices. It is not advisable to drink the local water; stick to bottled varieties.

A large bustling public bus station, 1 ml outside town, for all points S. Daily buses N to Lamu in a convoy from the city centre. Taxis are readily available in the centre and at the airport; agree the fare before commencing your journey and bargain hard. Car hire is available but it is expensive and road conditions are poor.

Half day: Mombasa town tour and show cruise; Malindi National Marine Park and snake park; Robinson Island lunch trips. Full day: deep-sea fishing; Watamu National Marine Park and old Swahili ruins of Gedi; safari trips to Tsavo East National Park (long day or overnight). Two days plus: National Parks of Tsavo East, Tsavo West and Amboseli.

Halfway up the E coast, facing the Indian Ocean. 380 mls SE of the capital, Nairobi. 70 mls N of Mombasa. 40 mls N of Kilifi. 2 mls NE of Malindi airport; 80 mls N of Mombasa's Moi international airport.

On low ground, set around the panoramic sweep of a wide bay near the mouth of the Galana River. Wild, dune-backed coastland to the N; more developed beach to the S, forming part of the Malindi Marine National Park.

Telephone Area Code: 42
Website: www.malindikenya.com

Airport : Moi International
Airport Code: MBA
Flight time from ther U.K.: 10 hrs