Mombasa – Kenya : Kenya safari Travellers are drawn to Mombasa, Kenya’s coastal jewel, by its diverse cultural tapestry, magnificent beaches, and rich history. Mombasa, the country’s second-biggest city, is proudly located along the Indian Ocean’s eastern shore. With a population of about 1,208,333, Mombasa is an intriguing Kenya safari tours destination since it is a linguistic and cultural melting pot.
A paradise along the coast
Mombasa’s flat terrain, which is near the equator, is graced with beaches dotted with palm trees, pristine waters, and coral reefs. The city, which is separated from the mainland by Tudor Creek and Port Reitz, is a fascinating fusion of exotic charm and history. The city’s diversity of cultures is evidence of its closeness to several Indian Oceanic cultures.
Mombasa as a tourism hub
White Sand Beaches: Mombasa is home to a number of magnificent beaches, each possessing a distinct allure. The beaches of Nyali, Bamburi, and Shanzu are located on the north shore, which is more populated and nearer to the city. Beaches with lots of sun, like as Diani Beach, Tiwi, and Shelly Beach, may be found along the south coast.
Fort Jesus: Showcasing Portuguese military architecture from the 16th century, Fort Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Exhibits inside feature a wide assortment of ceramics, pottery, and glimpses into Swahili culture.
Mombasa’s Old Town: It is a historic enclave with tiny alleyways decorated with elaborate doorways and balconies, reflecting Portuguese influence.
Haller Park: Home to a variety of animals, including as buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, and antelopes, Haller Park is a sanctuary for nature lovers. Kenya safari visitors are enthralled with the well-known interspecies pair, Owen the hippo and Mzee the tortoise.
Mombasa Marine National Park: Mombasa Marine National Park is an offshore reserve that safeguards marine life and provides great diving and snorkelling experiences with colourful fish, stingrays, and seahorses.
Mamba Village Centre: The largest crocodile farm in East Africa, Mamba Village Centre is located in Nyali and has botanical gardens with a variety of animals, such as ostriches and giraffes.
Historical wonders
Gede Ruins: Explore the historic ruins of the former Swahili town of Gedi, which is home to dated tombs, mosques, and other artefacts from bygone eras.
Marikiti Spice: Take in the vivid and fragrant Marikiti Spice Market, which features street food, unusual spices, and a buzzing atmosphere.
Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Centre: Discover Mombasa customs at the Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Centre, which features tribal dance performances and sells handcrafted trinkets.
What to do
In addition to seeing these sights, tourists can go go-karting, take a ferry over Kilindini Harbour, take a dhow excursion along Tudor Creek, and indulge in mouth watering goods from Mombasa’s lively marketplaces.
How to Travel There
Mombasa is reachable via road linking Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and northward to Malindi and Lamu; by air through Moi International Airport; and by train via the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway.
The Best time to visit
Mombasa is best visited in December and March, right before the long rainy season. But the seashore is fun all year long, with July through September offering whale viewing chances.
Accommodation
Afrochic Diani, Bahari Beach Hotel, and Voyager Beach Resort are just a few of the varied lodging options Mombasa has to offer, guaranteeing a peaceful vacation on the north or south shore.
Tourists activities in Mombasa City
Mombasa city tour
One popular kenya safari tourist activity in Mombasa is taking a kenya tour of the city. This not only gives you an opportunity to see the architecture and learn about the local cultures, but it also gives you a thorough understanding of the historical background of the ethnic diversity that makes Mombasa one of the most fascinating places in Africa. While on a tour of the city, you can also visit the Marikiti spice market, which has stalls selling cardamom, pepper, turmeric, and curry powders, as well as stalls along Langoni Road offering mouth watering street food. You can also visit workshops and cultural centres, as well as the striking Mombasa Tusks, a well-known landmark in the area that was constructed to honour Queen Elizabeth’s 1952 visit.
Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is a representation of Mombasa’s past as well as the Portuguese architectural talent in creating military constructions with proportions and geometric characteristics reminiscent of the Renaissance. One of the most popular tourist activities in Mombasa is the Fort Jesus Museum trip, which you may take separately or in conjunction with your city trip.
Snorkelling and scuba diving
Kenya is known as one of the top three dive locations in the world, therefore visiting Mombasa Marine Park or Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, with their crystal-clear Indian Ocean waters, is the ideal marine wilderness for your first aquatic discovery vacation! The most popular scuba diving experiences are reef dives, wreck dives,$ and night dives. The coral reefs in these parks are among the most well-known dive sites in the world, and they will reward you with views of breathtaking marine life. You cruise the Indian Ocean in a glass-bottom boat or a motorised dive boat for your snorkelling adventure, providing you with an unobstructed view of the marine life that abounds beneath the surface.
Dhow cruises
Experience the best and most exclusive sea life park in Kenya, Kisite Marine Park, with a Dhow Kenya Safari tour on Wasini Island. This safari trip contributed to the area’s designation as a protected area. Additionally, the Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise in Mombasa can provide you with a wonderful experience. The Arab dhow, which was once employed for trading on the Indian Ocean, has a long history on the coastal waters of East Africa. Today, you may spend a romantic evening sailing, dining, and dancing around the coastline on one of these classic sailing vessels.
Deep sea fishing
An exciting experience is to sit in the fighting chair during a deep-sea fishing expedition in Mombasa. Deep-sea fishing excursions are one of the primary kenya safari tourist attractions in Mombasa. The excitement of bringing in a monster fish is nearly beyond comprehension, even for experienced fishermen.
Visit Haller Park
A vibrant ecology of forests, grasslands, and ponds has replaced the once-active limestone quarries. Walking pathways allow you to observe the fenced wildlife, which includes hippopotamus, giraffes, antelope, buffalo, and smaller mammals, as well as a variety of bird species.
Mamba Village
If your kenya safari hasn’t shown you any crocodiles, one of the other must-do tourist activities in Mombasa is a safari trip to Mamba Village, the largest crocodile farm in East Africa. Though each area of the estate offers a different experience, the crocodile farm, which features these aquatic animals on show, is the most visited.
Nguuni Nature sanctuary
The non-profit Kenyan organisation Baobab Trust, which is dedicated to promoting conservation through sustainable activities and is supported by the Bamburi Cement Factory, is behind the Nguuni Nature Sanctuary initiative. The refuge is situated close to Nguu Tatu Hills on Mombasa’s north shore.
Gedi Ruins and Jumba la Mtwana
Ever since Sir John Kirk visited the Gedi Ruins in 1884, the site’s archaeological significance has been acknowledged, and it is currently one of the most extensively researched antiquities on the Kenyan coast. In 1927, the ruins were originally recognised as a Historical Monument. For those who have a strong interest in history, you should also visit the Jumba la Mtwana Ruins, which are situated close to Mtwapa Creek, a little less than 13 miles (20 kilometres) from Mombasa Island. These ruins are all that are left of a small, historically significant Swahili village that was abandoned some 500 years ago.
A trip to Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve, a small, lush wilderness with resident wildlife, breathtaking views, and amazing waterfalls within an equatorial forest, located only 20 miles south of the island of Mombasa. While you are away from the city’s commercial centre on an island in Lake Victoria, your visit will provide an unforgettable Kenya safari experience with wildlife and the natural world.
Go-Kart rides
Go-Kart rides are another exhilarating adventure offered by Mombasa tourism activities. Families visiting Mombasa on vacation should enjoy this amazing activity along the Malindi route; Mombasa Go-Kart provides the most exhilarating Go-Kart rides.
Other Kenya safari tourist activities in Mombasa include beach vacations on the white sand beaches and day trips to Malindi, among others.
