About this excursion
Experience the best of Kenya’s coast with a perfect mix of island relaxation and dramatic wilderness. This full-day excursion takes you from a tranquil mangrove lagoon and an incredible Swahili seafood feast on Robinson Island straight to the stunning sandstone gorges of Hell’s Kitchen (Marafa Depression) just in time for a magical golden-hour sunset.
Day schedule
Morning Departure & The Sabaki River Stop
You're picked up from your resort and driven north past Malindi along the Lamu Road. Most tour operators make a brief stop at the Sabaki River bridge. Depending on the season, you can often spot hippos popping their heads up and flocks of flamingos wading in the estuaries. You'll also drive past the massive local salt pans, where the water turns vibrant shades of pink and white.
Robinson Island Canoe & Seafood Feast
The Crossing: You leave the vehicle behind and board a traditional wooden dugout canoe (pirogue). A local boatman ferries you across a shallow, calm mangrove lagoon to reach the island. The Vibe: Robinson Island feels beautifully isolated. You have a few hours to walk the pristine sandbanks, swim in the warm water, or just lounge in a hammock. The Lunch: This is a major highlight. You'll head into a rustic, open-air, eco-style restaurant built from mangrove roots with a makuti roof and a pure white-sand floor. They serve a massive Swahili-style seafood BBQ, traditionally featuring giant red crabs, prawns, grilled fish, coconut rice, and fresh tropical fruit.
Marafa Hell's Kitchen at Sunset
After a post-lunch siesta, you head inland, driving for about 45–60 minutes through local villages and pineapple plantations toward Marafa. The Canyon: Locally known as Nyari ("the place that breaks by itself"), Hell's Kitchen is a striking sandstone canyon formed by millennia of wind and rain erosion. It features jagged pink, white, and deep crimson stone pillars and gorges reaching up to 30 meters high. The Hike & Sunset: A local community guide will walk you down into the canyon, explaining the geological history and sharing the famous Giriama cultural legends about how the depression was formed. The timing is perfectly planned so you are there for sunset, which is when the sandstone cliffs catch the fading light and look like they are glowing on fire. We typically head back to your hotel right after sunset, arriving around 19:00.
What's included
- ✓Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- ✓Entry Fees
- ✓Licensed local guide
- ✓Seafood Lunch
- ✓Transport
- •Wear comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sandals for the canyon hike
- •Swimwear
- •Hat and sunscreen
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