We think the Kilifi Gold Triathlon is the most beautiful triathlon in Africa, and when you arrive in Kilifi you'll soon realise why. Between the palm-fringed white sandy beaches of Bofa and the dramatic cliffs of Takaungu, lies Kilifi Creek. Lined with mangrove forest and undulating hills, you’ll swim this beautiful creek with the Indian Ocean at your feet. Just next door and hosting the bike and run legs are the Kilifi Plantations, with rows of sisal, hidden valleys, ancient baobabs and a huge number of birds including herons, kites, guinea fowl and eagles.

Special Offer! Stay at Mnarani Beach Club
Our wonderful hosts, Mnarani Beach Club, are offering an incredible rate for all for the whole KGT weekend (22nd - 24th September inclusive), whether you're competing or exercising those lungs on a cheer squad. Rooms are filling up so book now by emailing the hotel directly: reservations@mnarani.net and CC elmav@mnarani.net quoting KGT2023.

https://www.mnarani.net/

Standard Garden rooms:
Bed and Breakfast @ Kshs 5500/- pppn
Half Board @ Kshs 6400/- pppn
Full Board @ Kshs 7600/- pppn

Superior/Creek rooms:
Bed and Breakfast @ Kshs 6400/- pppn
Half Board @ Kshs 7500/- pppn
Full Board @ Kshs 8400/- pppn

All rates are per person per night and apply to 22nd, 23rd, 24th September.
Children 3 – 12yrs old pay 50% of the adult rate

How to get here
Kilifi, and Mnarani Club, is on the main Mombasa - Malindi highway next to Kilifi Bridge, overlooking the creek.
 

 

By air
Malindi International and Mombasa Moi International airports are the nearest international airports, and are a one hour flight from Nairobi JKIA. Malindi is then one hour away by road and Mombasa airport one and a half hours (but allow another hour for traffic during rush hour). There are more frequent flights into Mombasa Moi International. Carriers include Kenya Airways and JamboJet. You can also fly on smaller aircraft (check weight allowance) from Nairobi Wilson to Vipingo, a smaller airport about 30mins away by road. FlyALS and Safarilink offer charter and scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson to Vipingo. Private planes do land at Kilifi Airstrip, next to the hotel but you must have prior permission to land from Kilifi Plantations. Airport Taxis are available outside Malindi and Mombasa airports, or if you are staying at Mnarani Club hotel they can arrange your airport transfer. To arrange your own transport, our recommended private hire driver taxi is Titus Ndegwa on +254 723 674 577 and please mention KGT when you book.

By road
From Nairobi, do not pass Mombasa. Turn left about 30km before Mombasa onto the new Mariakani-Mavueni C107 road. Follow the road to the end (about 50km) and turn left at the junction with the Mombasa-Kilifi highway. Just before you reach Kilifi Bridge (about 5km), you will see the sign for the hotel on your right.
From Malindi, drive one hour south on the Mombasa Highway (60km). Cross Kilifi Bridge and immediately after the bridge, you will see the sign for the hotel on your left. 
From Mombasa, drive approx 90mins north (55km), and just before you reach Kilifi Bridge, you will see the sign for the hotel on your right. 
Our recommended private hire driver taxi is Titus Ndegwa on +254 723 674 577 and please mention KGT when you book.

By coach/bus/public transport
From Nairobi lots of buses ply the Mombasa route and some go directly to Kilifi, stopping at the main stage in Kilifi town. From town, take a tuktuk, boda or private hire across Kilifi Bridge, and just after the bridge you will see a sign for the hotel on your left. Try Tahmeed Coach or Mash Poa Coast Bus. Allow 12 hours for the journey. From north or south of Kilifi there are also lots of buses and matatus that stop in Kilifi - the nearest stage is Mnarani Stage just south of Kilifi Bridge.

By train
The SGR runs daily between Nairobi and Mombasa (Mariakani or Miritini) and then you take a taxi or other means to Kilifi. Mariakani station is slightly easier to exit en route to Kilifi, and slightly nearer than the Mombasa terminus but you will need an Inter-County train rather than the Express. See http://krc.co.ke/ for more details on routes and stops and how to book.

During the kilifi gold triathlon, the mnarani club beach hosts east africa’s largest sprint triathlon

Come and join us at the Mnarani Club beach on and soak up the Kilifi atmosphere. Spectator entry is free and the beach will be open to all from 11am to 9pm with food and a full bar available. 

11:30am: Beach opens
11:30am - 1:30pm: Sign in, bike check, body marking, kit marking
1:45pm - All Competitors' Race Briefing (compulsory)
2:00pm: Individual Race Start: KGT Centurions
2:15pm approx: Team Race Start: KGT Teams
5:30pm race close
6pm: Podium Prizes, Super Raffle Draw and Thank Yous
6:30pm: Sundowner beach party! Giveaways, DJ, fully stocked bar
9pm: Event close

With a bar, restaurant, DJ, MC, and kids games throughout the day, the event is open and free all day to spectators. We only ask that you come with your best cheering skills to give the competitors, dubbed the KGT250, a much needed boost as they transition between the swim-bike-run legs. 

Where to stay
We’re pleased to announce our host venue and recommended accommodation partner Mnarani Club are again offering an incredible KGT rate for all guests staying over the triathlon weekend (see special offer above). With rooms just a few steps from the start line and the best cheering location, there is no better place to take in the KGT that weekend. The after party is on the hotel's beach at the finish line, and for tired muscles you can relax in the creek or the hotel’s infinity pool, or get a rub down at the on-site Urembo Spa. There are fantastic discounted spa offers that weekend for competitors and spectators alike (cheering is hard work too!).

To take advantage of these amazing rates on 22nd, 23rd or 24th September, email reservations@mnarani.net and copy elmav@mnarani.net and quote KGT2023.

On the Bofa beach side, we recommend Saltys Bar and Kitesurfing Village, a chilled out beach bar and a range of gorgeous single, double and dorm rooms. Call them to book +254 794 449 196, quoting KGT.

For something a little different, we recommend Beneath The Baobabs in the plantation. Connect with nature in these beautiful safari tents surrounded by ancient baobabs! https://beneaththebaobabs.com/accommodation/

Where to party
If you’re looking for a Friday night boogie, on the creek side we highly recommend our friends over at Distant Relatives Kilifi Ecolodge and Backpackers, a popular spot for backpackers and holidaymakers nestled in the hills on the north side of the creek, and just 15 minutes from Mnarani Club. They also have a range of accommodation options for those on a smaller budget, from dormitory beds to shared bandas or private rooms, a pool and beach volleyball court, a great restaurant and a fully stocked bar. They can also arrange transportation to and from the venue. Call them to book +254 702 23 23 23, quoting KGT.

Where to unwind
Chill at the Mnarani Club pool, head to Bofa Beach to Saltys Bar, take in the creek views at Distant Relatives, drive through the plantations to Food Movement, or enjoy some fine dining at The Twisted Fig at Beneath The Baobabs.

What to do
There is plenty to do in Kilifi should you decide to pick yourself up off the sunlounger and venture out your hotel.

We hope you'll stay in Kilifi after the race to do some of our other favourite Sunday things:

And for those venturing further afield, within an hour's drive, check out Vipingo Ridge for golf, the Vipingo Beach Shack for seafood, Kuruwitu Marine Reserve for fantastic snorkelling, and Mida Creek Mangrove Boardwalk for a rickety highline experience high above the trees with the birds! Karibuni Kilifi.