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It’s been a while since I last visited Mombasa, for context, it was before
Mombasa was a county. My earliest vacation memories were in Mombasa and it’s a
city that has a special place in my heart. It’s a place I love going back to.
It has a charm to it and I was excited to go and see the old gems as well as
the new blue and white buildings and all the refurbished spots in town.
Location
Mombasa city is located in southeast Kenya by the coast and
is the capital of Mombasa county.
Getting There
There are various ways to get to Mombasa. There are daily
flights from Nairobi. Other options are the Standard Gauge Railway (the
SGR) and traveling by road via buses and shuttles. If you fancy road
trips, you can drive down to the city.
We opted to use the SGR, the morning train in particular. No
one can ever prepare you for the chaos that is at the Syokimau station in the
morning. It always feels like you’re rushing, the good thing is that the trains
are always punctual. The best thing you can do is get there an hour before
departure time to avoid the hassle.
Moving Around:
There are various ways to get around the town. You can use
public means ie matatus, tuk-tuks, boda bodas, order a cab or hire a car.
Things to do in Mombasa
The plan for the trip was just to relax, but you know me;
I’m the type of person who’s always excited to explore the destinations I
visit. My good friend so graciously offered to show me around town.
Go to the beach
Mombasa is a coastal town and that is the main reason why
people visit. There are several public beaches but you can get access to
private beaches if you are staying at a beachfront hotel or if you pay a daily
rate at one.
Watersports
Try your hand at kayaking, deep-sea fishing, water skiing,
Rowing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, snorkelling etc. A number of beachfront
hotels have watersports facilities and diving centres.
One of the more affordable options is Tudor Water Sports
Hotel, which charges Kshs 350 per hour for kayaking.
Sunset Dhow Cruise
One of the best things about coastal towns is the
spectacular sunsets that grace them and what better way to experience the magic
than on a dhow cruise? Enjoy sundowners as you wade through the warm waters of
the Indian Ocean. Mombasa
Dhow came highly recommended for this.
Explore Old Town
Travel through time as you walk down the narrow streets of this historical attraction. It was originally occupied by Arab, Portuguese, Asian and British communities. You can get there using a cab or a tuk-tuk. Old Town is across Fort Jesus.
The murals opposite Fort Jesus at the Mazrui Family Grave
yard wall and Sir Mbarak Hinawy Road (Mombasa Club Wall) are the perfect
backdrops for photos and selfies.
I fell in love with the beautifully carved ancient doors and
the traditional Swahili architecture employed in the buildings. Take loads of
pictures of the buildings but avoid government buildings. There are also a
number of curio shops in the area where you can buy some crafts, souvenirs and
antique items.
I would recommend visiting in the mornings to avoid the
unbearable mid-morning heat. It is also advisable to get a guide as you can
easily get lost and generally for safety purposes.
Tour Fort Jesus
A must visit, learn more about Mombasa’s history as you tour
this UNESCO Heritage site.
Watch the pages of history come alive as you enjoy the
enchanting Fort Jesus Mombasa Light & Sound Show. This world-class
production brings to life the 400-year history through 3D projection mapping,
lasers and holograms.
Catch the show every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Via fortjesusmombasa.com
Rates:
Show only (7 pm and 8:30 pm): Residents Kshs 1,000 and Kshs
4,000 for non-residents.
Show plus traditional Swahili dinner (7:00 pm): Residents
Kshs 2,500 and Kshs 6,500 for non-residents.
Visit Butterfly House
Located in the Fort Jesus Museum, the exhibit is home to over 300 species of tropical butterflies. Open Daily from 8:30 am to 5: 30 pm, visit the house to learn about butterflies, enjoy a picnic or a photoshoot.
Rates
Citizen child- 100
Citizen Adult-200
E.A Resident child- 100
E.A Resident Adult-300
Non- residents child – 250
Non- residents Adult- 500
Photoshoot- 500/-
Grounds for hire for events- starting from 4k
For more information contact them at mombasabutterflyhouse@gmail.com or: info@mombasabutterflyhouse.org
Catch views at the Mama Ngina Waterfront
Mama Ngina Waterfront was recently renovated and there are some beautiful spots added to it that have really elevated the place. The best part is that entry is free! Pass by Mama Ngina waterfront in the evening/ late afternoon to enjoy the fantastic view of the ocean and to indulge in fresh madafu and muhogo.
Get your adrenaline fix at Mombasa Go-Kart
Petrolheads, motorsports enthusiasts, and adrenaline junkies
will have a ball at this spot. Go go-kart racing and if you are still in a
competitive mood, try your hand at paintball, archery and other games, all offered
at the same spot. Find their rates and
more information on their website.
Take a picture at the Tusks/ Pembe za Ndovu
Are you even in Mombasa if you don’t take a photo of the iconic tusks?
Shop at the Marikiti Market and spice market
Stop by the market to buy Swahili snacks like mabuyu,
kashata and freshly ground spices.
No trip to Mombasa is complete without buying Maasai
sandals, deras and vitenge.
Spend time in nature at Bamburi Haller Park
It is a nature
park located along Mombasa-Malindi Road in Majengo. Go on a
nature walk or cycle through the lush rehabilitated park. Spot hippos,
giraffes, crocodiles, antelopes, vervet monkeys, various fish, reptile and bird
species as well as giant tortoises.
via Haller Park
Entry fees:
Residents: Kshs 500 and Kshs 200 for adults and children
respectively
Non- Residents: Kshs 1,400 and Kshs 600 for adults and
children respectively
Mamba Village Centre
Located in Nyali, visit the largest crocodile farm in Africa
to learn more about crocodiles and interact with them.
Get wet and wild at Wild Waters
One word for this place- FUN! Play and enjoy the waterslides
and pools at this waterpark.
via wildwaterskenya.com
Rates:
Residents – Kshs 1,500
Non-residents – Kshs 1,800
Non-sliders/non-swimmers- Kshs 300
Engage with animals at Nguuni Nature
Sanctuary
Located in Bamburi, this place is a must-visit. What was once an uninhabitable quarry was restored and is now part of a diverse ecosystem that is home to various bird and animal species. Walk and interact with animals as you learn more about nature and sustainability.
The sanctuary is open for nature walks, camping, game
drives, bird watching, picnics, sundowners, private bookings as well as
educational trips.
Rates and Entry fees:
|
General Entry Fees |
Residents |
Non- Residents |
|
|
Adult- Kshs 350 |
Adult- Kshs 800 |
Game Drive Rates:
Kshs 250 per trip
Kshs 1,200 for a scenic tour
Camping Rates:
Entry fee + Kshs 150.00 per person per night
Bonus Activities:
Pass by:
Mbaraki Ancient pillar
Cross the Likoni channel
Places to Stay in Mombasa
There are plenty of accommodation options in Mombasa
depending on budget, style and preferences. I stayed at Voyager
Beach Resort and would highly recommend it.
Other highly recommended accommodation options include; Tulia House Backpackers (for travellers on a budget), Hotel Englishpoint and Spa and Pride Inn Paradise Hotel.
Places to Eat while in Mombasa
Make sure you try out delicious street food while in
Mombasa. Enjoy shawarma, viazi vya karai, biryani, samaki wa kupaka, mahamri na
mbaazi,mshikaki etc and down these with a refreshing glass of ukwaju.
Highly recommended restaurants include: Forodhani Restaurant, Mubin’s Cafe, Jahazi Coffee shop, Char Choma, Tarboush, Pilau Joint, Damascus Shawarma, Lighthouse, Camels Joint, Biblaa etc
If you’re spoilt for time, visit Mtwapa Creek for killer
sunsets or cross over to Diani and
enjoy Africa’s best beaches.
Watch what went down in Mombasa on the latest vlog.
Feel free to reach out to me to
help you plan your Mombasa trip.
Which place is a must-visit for you when visiting Mombasa? Which activity are you most excited to try when you visit Mombasa? Let me know in the comments below
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