Gede Ruins
Gedi Ruins
The ruins of a Swahili city-state from the 12th to 17th centuries, with a mosque, palace and ancient wells hidden in the primeval forest.
Gede Ruins are the remains of a Swahili town from the 12th to 17th centuries. The town was mysteriously abandoned and is now hidden in dense tropical forest. The site includes a Great Mosque, a palace, pillar tombs with fine stone columns, and dozens of stone houses. Chinese porcelain and Venetian glass beads have been unearthed here, testifying to the prosperity of Indian Ocean trade. Baobab trees tower over the site, and monkeys and antelopes often appear among them. Admission is about 1,000 shillings for foreigners, and there is a small museum. The Kipepeo butterfly project near the entrance is also worth a visit.
Opening hours
07:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Bio-Ken Snake Farm
- Mida Creek
- Watamu Beach & Turtle Bay
- Watamu Marine National Park
- Local Ocean Conservation (Watamu Turtle Watch)
- Malindi Marine National Park
- Malindi Old Town & Portuguese Chapel
- Vasco da Gama Pillar