Mombasa Destination Guide
Most tourists are attracted to Mombasa's gorgeous beaches that offer tourists the opportunity to spend their vacation unwinding in the calm, serene surroundings. However, those looking for an activity-filled vacation can opt for a variety of water sports and venture out on angling trails. Apart from the famed beaches that are frequented by a large number of tourists every year, Mombasa's wildlife and natural parks with their variety of flora and fauna also draw a huge number of visitors. Historical and cultural relics of bygone eras appeal to the cultural tourist, as do the ethnic tourism options that offer a slice of Kenyan life. These Mombasa tours are held within the city, in the neighbouring towns and even in the distant villages.
Beaches constitute a major tourist attraction, and wildlife safaris have their own charm. A few of the other popular spots that you could visit are Fort Jesus and the Old Town neighbourhood, which are famous historical sites.
This Mombasa Destination Guide gives some handy information about some of the exciting Mombasa highlights you can expect to see whilst travelling in Kenya. While many of these sites can be seen independently, you may find it more convenient, or more educational, to take a tour in Mombasa with a local company. For useful general country information check out our Kenya Country Guide.
Things to see & do in Mombasa
The second largest city in Kenya is Mombasa, which lies on the shore of the Indian Ocean. It is the heart of the coastal tourism industry and an important driver of the national economy due to the presence of a port and international airport.
Mombasa's original Arabic name is Manbasa; it is called Kisiwa Cha Mvita (or Mvita) in Swahili, which means "Island of War" a reference to the many battles for ownership that the island has witnessed over the years. The town serves as the headquarters of Mombasa District which follows the Kenyan tradition of naming districts on the basis of their major towns.
Follow the links below or scroll further down the page for details on some of the many interesting tourist attractions in Mombasa:
Old Town
The Old Town area in Mombasa is located in the eastern part of Mombasa Island, east of Digo Road and Jamhuri Park. The area is a maze of narrow roads lined by tall white buildings and spectacular mosques built during the early nineteenth century. Islamic architecture in all its splendour is on display in this neighbourhood. While most buildings are not well maintained, they still retain their grandeur and beauty. Glimpses of the influence of Asian, African, British and European architectural styles are also evident.
There are numerous shops and stalls lining the streets, selling a variety of foodstuff and curios. At dusk, after 6 pm, you can get a taste of Kenyan street food when the vendors set up barbecue grills on the street corners and sell delicious snacks at reasonable prices.
While this neighbourhood is not a large one and it would not be too difficult to seek help should you lose your way, it is still prudent to keep track of one’s destination and perhaps wiser still to seek out the services of a personal walking guide (an option offered by the Fort Jesus gift shop) to help you navigate the area while you soak in its beauty, admire its gaily attired citizens, appreciate its rich history and culture, and sample its culinary delights and merchandise.
There are numerous shops and stalls lining the streets, selling a variety of foodstuff and curios. At dusk, after 6 pm, you can get a taste of Kenyan street food when the vendors set up barbecue grills on the street corners and sell delicious snacks at reasonable prices.
While this neighbourhood is not a large one and it would not be too difficult to seek help should you lose your way, it is still prudent to keep track of one’s destination and perhaps wiser still to seek out the services of a personal walking guide (an option offered by the Fort Jesus gift shop) to help you navigate the area while you soak in its beauty, admire its gaily attired citizens, appreciate its rich history and culture, and sample its culinary delights and merchandise.
Fort Jesus
The major attraction in Old Town and its most popular tourist destination is Fort Jesus located on the eastern coast of the island. This fort was built by the Portuguese in 1593, and has since then been taken over by other rulers in the succeeding years. Much of the original structure remains intact and it currently serves as a museum that is open to the public from 8:30 am to 6 pm for a fee of KSh 200. The museum displays art and artefacts from the bygone areas that illustrate the spectacular history of the land.
The Gedi Ruins
To explore more of Kenya’s history, you could visit Malindi – a little beyond Mombasa, where the remnants of an ancient Swahili town, called the Gedi Ruins, which existed from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century, are located. The ruins point towards the existence of a city that thrived in world trade and commerce. The town ceased to exist in the seventeenth century – an event that continues to puzzle historians. The ruins are well maintained and visitors can view the vestiges of that period’s buildings and monuments, houses, mansions, mosques and cemeteries.
Beaches
Mombasa’s famed beaches are well known for their coral reefs and a variety of sea life – fishes of various types, forms and sizes, sea turtles and dolphins. The outer and inner reef walls lend themselves to world-class diving sites that are immensely popular with diving enthusiasts. You could also take a day off to visit the marine reserve created around the beautiful Wasini Island, at Kisite Mpunguti. At the reserve there are facilities for several water sports with the most popular ones being diving and snorkelling.
The south coast along Mombasa offers a different tourist experience for those who are tired of the crowded beaches commonly seen everywhere. You will love the quaint. less crowded beaches on the south coast like the Tiwi Beach, which is ideal for the laidback traveller. You could also opt to visit the local tribes – Wakamba, Digo and Duruma – who reside in small villages in the fertile locales of the Kwale District.
The south coast along Mombasa offers a different tourist experience for those who are tired of the crowded beaches commonly seen everywhere. You will love the quaint. less crowded beaches on the south coast like the Tiwi Beach, which is ideal for the laidback traveller. You could also opt to visit the local tribes – Wakamba, Digo and Duruma – who reside in small villages in the fertile locales of the Kwale District.
Bamburi Nature Trail
If you would like to take a nature walk to experience Kenyan flora and fauna, you could drive beyond Mombasa towards the north to the Bamburi Nature Trail and Conservation area. The walking trails are spread over a large area, set in a land that once quarried by the Bamburi cement factory located in the neighbourhood.
You can view a variety of local wildlife such as hippos, buffaloes, eland and giant tortoises in this reserve. Many of these animals have been orphaned, and have therefore been raised at Bamburi. To watch them feed, you could check the schedule with the park and plan your visit accordingly.
You can view a variety of local wildlife such as hippos, buffaloes, eland and giant tortoises in this reserve. Many of these animals have been orphaned, and have therefore been raised at Bamburi. To watch them feed, you could check the schedule with the park and plan your visit accordingly.
Malindi and Watamu Marine National Reserves
Mombasa’s marine reserves – Malindi and Watamu Marine National Reserve Parks – (parts of a more comprehensive Marine Reserve) are located outside the town. A 100 km drive north of Mombasa on the coast will take you to these reserves. You could make a day trip to these reserves to view native marine life in their natural surroundings. Apart from land animals like monkeys, antelopes and giant monitor lizards, you can spot a spectacular range of sea life including a variety of fish, crabs and coral gardens.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve
For an experience that is different from the usual African safari, you can visit the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, located near the Malindi Reserve and the Gedi ruins. This reserve houses birds, insects, snakes and other reptiles. With the reserve located in a tropical lowland area, it is far less warm and dusty than the parks on the plains.
