In most cases, December holidays see families and communities coming together and so a lot of traveling and even touring is involved. Hoping the cold season will make way for the warm season (we all want the heat creeping back into our bones), it’s time to stop this nesting and cocooning businesses, and get out there to discover new holiday destinations and festivals within East Africa during the coming December holidays.

While doing your December travels within East Africa, why not get a travel cover for yourself hence be assured that your life will be saved in case you got involved in any kind of accident. Not that this is something one should anticipate for, but then again, you never know when lightning may strike. Become a member of the Flying Doctors Society of Africa, who ensure you get to a well equipped hospital fast and also provide you with expert care in transit which could mean the difference between life and death. As a member of the Flying Doctors Society of Africa you are entitled to one free evacuation per year in case of a life threatening emergency that would necessitate the use of the flying doctors to transport you to a medical facility in Nairobi.

Most people especially we East African locals only get to hear about this event on TV and the internet, and so we keep wishing that we could be part of it. Guess what! There’s a similar event in Kenya dubbed the “Mombasa carnival”, it takes place during the month of November and lasts for six days. How about having a “Rio carnival” away from Brazil.

As far as I know, Mombasa carnival is the best festival in Kenya. It’s an amalgamation of a number of activities which represent every race and cultural group in Kenya. Why not attend this festival hence get to enjoy the nice music (including traditional) and dancing, and also the brightly colored costumes that make everyone look different. It’s at this event you will happen upon artists and musicians of all kinds from all over Kenya, apart from enjoying their music, you also get to interact with them one on one. Every event usually has its highlights…the highlight of the Mombasa carnival is what intrigues me the most, there’s usually a lively street parade having people from all walks participating. What I have provided regarding the carnival is just a top line and so you need to attend the event yourself hence get to know what am really talking about. You will love and enjoy it.

Oh! Before this skips my mind. While enjoying all the things that the Mombasa carnival brings with it, head to the Muslim-run restaurants where you will get very nice/delicious and pocket friendly Swahili cuisine. Good luck while at it!

Malindi has a number of historical sites such as Malindi old town, Gedi ruins etc, which are places worth visiting. Ever heard of dhow trips? Well, don’t worry if this sounds new to you because it did sound new to me as well, but that was before I visited Malindi…now I know better. A dhow is a traditional Arab sailing ship entirely made of wood, which has plied the waters of the East African Coast for more than a thousand years now. Its main purpose was to transport carpets and other goods between India and Africa. You need to check this out and while you are at it, you could do some sightseeing, have lunch or dinner cruises and also enjoy entertainment that includes limbo dancers, acrobats, fire-eaters just to mention a few…sounds fun huh!

Fishermen in Malindi, Kenya struggle to control a dhow

Everyone if not all love the beach, a place where you could relax and just do nothing or enjoy some “me” time or have fun with your friends and family…it all trickles down to enjoying yourself and having peace of mind! Who wouldn’t like this!?! Well, if this is what you are looking for then visit the different beaches in Malindi.

Last but not least, you need to visit the Marine National Park…this particular place is outstanding. The park is located to the south of Malindi town. What’s the hullabaloo all about? You ask yourself. Well, let’s just say Marine National Park is one of a kind as its gifted with fringing reefs, mangroves, high fish diversity, marine mammals…the list is endless.

A beach at Marine National Park, photo by Filip Lachowski

There are so many things about Malindi I would love to say! But trust me if I did, you will never get to hear (or should I say read) the end of it. So why don’t you just plan your travels and go experience all that I have mentioned, and even more.