Annual Festivals in Kilifi County
Beneath the Baobab Festival, Kilifi
The popular Beneath the Baobabs Festival, formerly known as Kilifi New Year Festival, is an annual cultural event that celebrates the rich heritage, traditions, and arts of the coastal communities, particularly those around Kilifi County. The festival takes its name after the iconic baobab trees that dot the landscape of Kilifi. These ancient trees serve as natural landmarks and provide shade and gathering spaces during the festival. Here, in beautiful surroundings above the source of Takaungu Creek, among the baobabs, is a world where music and nature collide.
In the thousands, people from far and wide gather, for two unforgettable days and nights 30th December to 1st January, at Beneath the Baobabs Festivals to enjoy a diverse line-up from Afro-House, Electronic Music to Hip Hop. Drums and bass keeps the revellers dancing by day and beneath the starlit sky. It can safely host up to 10,000 people, with up to 5 unique stages, bars and all amenities. Between dancing and merriment, revelers also experience the enchantment of installations of art, connect with like-minded patrons, and embrace the spirit of East Africa.
To add to that, Beneath the Baobabs Festival also, delightfully, features traditional music and dance performances by local artists and cultural troupes. This includes the rhythmic percussion and melodies of Taarab music, a popular genre in coastal East Africa, as well as expressive traditional dances that showcase the region’s cultural diversity. Local artisans and craftsmen also display their works, including handmade jewelry, woven baskets, fine wood carvings, and traditional clothing. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase unique pieces directly from the artists.
One of the great highlights at the Beneath the Baobabs Festival is, of course, the local cuisine. The festival highlights Swahili cuisine with stalls offering a variety of dishes such as pilau (spiced rice), biryani, seafood delicacies, and coconut-based sweets. It’s a chance to taste authentic coastal flavors prepared on-site utilizing local ingredients. Well nourished, visitors can also take part cooking classes. This is part of the cultural workshop that also includes traditional drumming, Swahili language lessons, and memorable insights into the local customs and skills.
In this unsullied environment, ancient and unspoiled, Beneath the Baobab Festival promotes environmental conservation and sustainability practices. Discussions and workshops continually and collectively focus on topics such as preserving coastal ecosystems, planting native species, and reducing plastic waste. By the same token, the festival emphasizes community participation and economic empowerment. It gives a platform for local businesses, artisans, and performers to showcase their talents and products, fostering cultural pride and businesses.
From Mombasa, Kilifi is accessible by road from Mombasa; 1.5 to 2 hours drive. Visitors can arrange transportation or use public buses and taxis to reach the venue. There are various accommodation options in Kilifi, including beach resorts, guesthouses, and eco-lodges. It’s advisable to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak festival periods. Beneath the Baobabs offers a vibrant celebration of coastal culture, music, arts, and cuisine. It’s an opportunity for both locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the traditions and hospitality of Kilifi.
There are a variety of festivals throughout the year in Kenya, celebrating the diverse cultures, traditions, music, art, and wildlife. These annual festivals offer opportunities for cultural exchange, entertainment and exploration, allowing visitors to experience the vibrant and dynamic spirited cultures of Kenya.
A Guide to Festivals in Kenya
January - Koroga Festival, Simot Falls Festival, Diani Ngalawa Regatta, Nairobi Restaurant Week, The Great Grevy’s Rally, February - Africa Nouveau Festival, Lamu Painters Festival, Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Festival, The 10 to 4 Mountain Bike Challenge, Kakamega Bullfighting Festival, Eloko Music and Beer Festival, Safaricom International Jazz Festival, March - The 10 day Mount Kenya Festival, Watamu Fishing and Marlin Championship, Shika Foam Festival, First Lady’s Half Marathon, Lamu Yoga Festival, Barclays Kenya Open, Nairobi Film Festival, Kisumu International Carnival, April - Firi Festival, Lamu Food Festival, Safari Rally, Tobongu Lore, X-treme Expo, Micasa Sucasa, May - Kite Festival, The Mugie Annual Rangeland and Pastrolist Show, Faraja White Water Rafting Challenge, Kilifi Longa Tango Festival, June - Rhino Charge, The Annual Wildebeest Migration, Cake Festival, Safaricom Marathon, July - Mawimbi Festival, Desert Wheel Race, The Mwea Marathon, Watamu Rugby Festival, August - Kenya Music Festival, Mekatilili wa Menza Festival, Tharaka Festival, Maralal International Camel Derby, Art and Beer Festival, Kalacha Cultural Festival, Turkana Festival, September - Blankets and Wine Festival, East African Arts and Culture Festival, The Chemususu Dam Marathon, To Hell’s Gate in a Wheelbarrow, Lokiriama Peace Festival, Concours d’Elegance, Storymoja Festival, Ndakaini Half Marathon, Earth Dance Nairobi, October - Slum Film Festival, Magical Kenya Travel Expo, Global March for Elephants, Rhinos and Lions, Annual Goat Derby, Diani Beach Music Festival, November - Safaricom Sevens, Mombasa Festival, Sigalagala Festival, Lamu Fishing Festival, Laikipia Cultural Festival, Jumia Black Friday Festival, Lamu Cultural Festival, Sawa Sawa Festival, AAR Health Kenya Trees for Health, Rusinga Island Festival, East African Classic Safari Rally, Nairobi Fashion Week, Kilimani Street Festival, December - Tsavo Run, Kisumu Fashion Week, Diani Beach Festival, Lamu Triathlon, Maulidi Festival, Kimalel Goat Auction, Maragoli Cultural Festival, Hakuna Matata Festival
Touring Kilifi County offers a delightful blend of coastal beauty, lovely beaches, cultural richness, natural wonders, and fascinating ancient ruins. Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, historical sites, or vibrant cultural experiences – or a combination, Kilifi promises a memorable and enriching travel experience.
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Explore Places Nearby Beneath the Baobabs, and Kilifi
A Guide to Kilifi County
A Summa Digest of Kilifi
About Kilifi Way Back When
95 Destinations in Kilifi County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shimo la Tewa Prison, Mtwapa Creek, Mtwapa Ruins, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant, Jumba la Mtwana, Kikambala Beach, Vipingo Mosque Ruins, Kinuni Ruins, Kuruwitu Conservancy, Neem Tree House, Vipingo Ridge, Chasimba Cave, Kilifi Sisal Plantations, Vuma Cliffs, Old Town Takaungu, Takaungu Creek, Kitoka Ruins, Takaungu House, Beneath the Baobab Festival, Kilifi Creek, Kilifi Bridge, Kilifi Boatyard, Distant Relatives Lodge, Mnarani Ruins, Mnarani Snake Park, 3 Degrees South, Kamili House, Mazingira Park, Bofa Beach, Saltys Kitesurfing Bar & Restaurant, Bush Baby Kilifi, Casa Dalton, Panga ya Saidi Cave, River Rare Geo Park, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Mwangea Hills Forest, Watamu Marine National Park, Uyombo Ruins, Rock & Sea Resort, Mida Creek, Sudi Island, Kirepwe Ruins, Watamu Beach, Ocean Sports Watamu, Medina Palms, Hemimways Watamu, A Rocha Eco Lodge & Conservation Centre, Watamu Treehouse, Garoda Beach, Tribe Watersports, Kite House, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Kiburugeni Ruins, Mgangani Ruins, Mida Creek Nature Camp, Gede Ruins, Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Malindi Museum, Henry the Navigator Monument, Malindi Pier, Malindi Pillar Tomb, Malindi Waterfront Park, Portuguese Chapel, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Beach, Ndoro Sculpture Garden, White Elephant Sea & Art Lodge, Malindi Crocodile & Snake Farm, Malindi Marine National Park, Malaika Beach Sunbeds & Restaurant, Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions, Lo Sfizio Coffee Shop, Lennox Art Gallery, Falconry of Kenya, Hanging Gardens, Malindi Golf & Country Club, River Sabaki Delta, Marafa Depression, Dakacha Woodland, Mekatilili wa Menza Site, Mambrui Dunes, Mambrui, Mambrui Tombs, Kibirakani Ruins, Che Shale Hotel Kitesurf Center, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, The Nyika Plateau, Galana Conservancy, Ngala Mausoleum, Rabai Museum, Kaya Kambe Shrine, Thomas Wakefield Memorial Church
Know More About Kilifi County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Kilifi can be split into three zones – the narrow coastal plain, varying in width from 3 kms to 20 km; few coastal hills lying below 30 ms asl, and the Nyika Plateau rising from 100ms to 340 ms asl.
For the greater part of the year, the climate along the coastal plain is pleasurable, though humid. Temperature ranges between 21C and 30C along the coast, and between 30C and 34C further inland.
