Gedi Ruins Kenya a Northcoast adventure:
The morning sun casts a golden glow over the lush green fairways of Vipingo Golf Club About Golf — Vipingo Ridge as I take one last sip of my coffee, excitement bubbling within me. Today, I’m venturing north to explore the ancient Gedi (Gede) Ruins Gede Museum – National Museums of Kenya near Watamu(Which means sweetness or sweet in Swahili from the word Tamu)—a hidden gem steeped in history and mystery.
By 8:30 AM, I set off, my car smoothly gliding along the Mombasa-Malindi highway. The road is lined with towering coconut palms and dense coastal forests, their emerald leaves shimmering in the soft breeze. As I drive past Kilifi town, I catch a glimpse of the stunning Kilifi Creek Kilifi Creek – Magical Kenya, its turquoise waters glistening under the sun. The one-hour journey is a scenic delight, the coastal air tinged with the scent of the ocean and blooming frangipani.
At around 10 AM, I arrive at the entrance of the Gedi Ruins, where a friendly guide named Ali greets me with a warm Swahili welcome. “Karibu Gedi,” he says, leading me into the lost city. Hidden within a dense forest, the ruins whisper secrets of a Swahili civilization that thrived here between the 12th and 17th centuries.
We start at the grand mosque, where the mihrab—still intact—faces Mecca. Ali tells me that Gedi was once a prosperous trading town, its people engaging with merchants from Arabia, Persia, and China. As I walk through the ancient stone pathways, I marvel at the coral-stone houses, the remnants of an elaborate palace, and the intriguing pillar tombs. The most striking feature is the eerie silence, punctuated only by the rustling of trees and the occasional call of the monkeys.
At one point, I pause to rest on a fallen tree trunk, only to be greeted by an unexpected visitor—a mischievous Sykes’ monkey. It scampers onto my shoulder with surprising agility, its tiny fingers gripping my shirt as it eyes the banana I had packed for a snack. With no hesitation, the little creature snatches it, peeling and munching away contentedly while perched on me like an old friend. I can’t help but laugh at the sheer audacity of my furry companion, its warm weight a reminder of the playful spirit that still thrives in these ancient ruins.
Ali shares tales of the town’s mysterious abandonment, leaving behind unanswered questions. Some say it was due to Portuguese invasions, while others believe a curse or an epidemic drove the inhabitants away. The ruins exude an air of lost grandeur, a poignant reminder of time’s passage.
After an hour of exploration, I take a short detour to the nearby Kipepeo Butterfly Project, where dazzling butterflies flutter around in a riot of colors. I then head to Watamu town for a leisurely seafood lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants. The grilled prawns, seasoned with Swahili spices, melt in my mouth as I soak in the breathtaking ocean view.
As the afternoon sun begins to dip, I make my way back to Vipingo, my heart full of wonder. The Gedi Ruins have left me enchanted—an echo of a forgotten past that still lingers in the rustling leaves and crumbling stones.
A day well spent, and a journey to remember.
