Kilifi Town Guide
Kilifi Kenya is a town on the Kenyan coast, home to many resorts. It sits on the estuary of the Rare River in Kenya. The beach itself is known as Bofa Beach and is said to be one of the best beaches in Kenya. Kilifi town lies on the Kilifi Creek between Malindi and Mombasa. Kilifi is capital of the Kilifi County.
Kilifi Town Climate and Geography
The town is located on 39.84 degrees East and 3.63 degrees south.
The towns sits on both sides of the estuary and are linked by the Kilifi Bridge. One side is called Mnarani and the other is the main Kilifi Town. Kilifi bridge gives you access to the splendid view of the estuary.
The weather is generally warmer throughout the year (above 25 degrees) with two seasons of moderate rainfall (about 800-1000mm). The long rains that start around March to July and the short rains that start around October to December.
The terrain is generally flat with sandy-loamy soils. Common trees are Cocos lucifera, Anacadium occidentale, Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica.
Common birds are the crow, kites and hawks.
History of Kilifi Town
The town lies on the Kilifi Creek and sits on the estuary of the Goshi River. Kilifi is capital of the Kilifi County and has a population of 122,899 (2009 census). The town is known for its beach and for the ruins of Mnarani, including mosques and tombs, dating from the 14th to the 17th century.
Economic Activities in Kilifi Town
Like every coastal town, fishing is one of the historical economic activities. With time, the town has slowly been transforming from a fishing village to basic industrial and service.
The growth of the town was mainly fuelled by the cashew nut milling factory between 1976 and 1990. The town almost became a ghost town when the factory was closed due to decline in nuts supply, mismanagement of the factory and increased global competition. Other industrial activities include milk processing at Kilifi Plantations.
Since 2008 with the transformation of the Kilifi institute of Agriculture into a University. There has been substantial expansion of the service sector as a result of this. Banking activity has been growing with about 4 banks (KCB Bank, Barclays Bank, Postbank and Equity Bank) as well as microfinance institutions. Retail business and hotels have historically been significant economic activities. 3 to 4 star hotels you will find here are like Sea Horse Hotel, Mnarani Club, Kilifi Bay Hotel and Baobab Lodge. Others are privately owned beach villas.
Places to Visit While in Kilifi Town
- Casuarina Point
- Malindi Marine Park
Things To Do While in Kilifi Town
- 3 Degree South
- Vipingo Ridge
- Mnarani
- Jawamu Tours and Safaris- Day Hours
- Good Samaritan Nature and Culture Reserve
- Arlom Kenya Safaris
Night Clubs and Nightlife in Kilifi Town
- Mamba International Night Club
- Pirate Beach Bar
- Tembo Disco
- Castaways
- Bombolulu Workshop and Cultural Centre
Accommodation and Hotels in Kilifi Town
- Bofa Beach Resort
- Sea Front Hotel
- Distant Relative Ecolodge
- Kilifi Maghreb
- Baobab Sea Lodge
- Kilifi Bay Beach Resort
- Takaungu Creek Cottages
- Vipingo Ridge
- Water Gate Hotel
- Tropical Garden House
- Sea Front Hotel
Education Institutions in Kilifi Town
- Kilifi Township Secondary School
- Chumani Secondary School
- Katana Ngala Secondary School
- Majaoni Secondary School
- Roka Secondary School
- Kabarani Boarding Primary School
- Kilifi Primary School
- Kilifi Speciallll Unit
People of Kilifi Town
Kilifi is a small cosmopolitan town with mixed ethnic groups. The predominant inhabitants are from the Mijikenda tribes (mainly Giriama and Chonyi). Other tribes include the Islamic Swahilo-Arab descendants as well as other tribes from inland Kenya like the Kikuyu, Meru, Kamba and Luo. There is a handful of Europeans mainly British, German and Italian.
Health in Kilifi Town
There is a district hospital which also serves as a medical research center for Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Several other private clinics can be found here.
