EXPERIENCE MOMBASA

Overview

The bustling cosmopolitan city of Mombasa is a historical coastal town located in Kenya on the Indian Ocean, it is Kenya’s second-largest city, home to beautiful beaches and white-blue colonial architecture. Mombasa is the oldest city in Kenya located on the Eastern coastline making it a popular tourist destination for beach holidays, offering a great mixture of activities. The city offers a diverse range of things to see and do including a blend of beautiful beaches, water sports, marine life, world-class hotels, and a year-round tropical climate.

Mombasa is a Swahili-founded and ruled city founded between the 1st and 5th century, it was once occupied by the Portuguese, Arabs, and British. There are historical ruins dotted around the city such as the Forte Jesus de Mombaca, a historic Portuguese fort, and the Old Town filled with bustling bazaars and packed with examples of Portuguese and Islamic architecture. The coastal city was the first capital of British East Africa before Nairobi was elevated to capital status in 1907. The city now serves as the capital of Mombasa County, the town is known as “the white and blue city” in Kenya.

Mombasa is a major seaport and chief port of Kenya, it is the center of the coastal tourism industry. The city is located on an island separated from the mainland by Tudor Creek and Kilindini Harbor. The city’s location on the Indian Ocean makes it a historical trading center, it has been controlled by many countries due to its strategic location. It was founded in 900 A.D. according to Kenyan school history books, and has been a prosperous trading town since the 12th century. The oldest stone mosque Mnara was built in c.1300, and the Mandhry Mosque was built in 1570 and features a minaret that contains a regionally specific ogee arch. Mombasa was a key node in the complex and far-reaching Indian Ocean trading networks, key exports included ivory, millet, sesamum, and coconuts.

Things to see and do

Visit the historic Fort Jesus one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mombasa built between 1593 and 1596 by the Portuguese to protect the port from the Ottomans. The fort was used by the military for over three centuries and received its name from the Portuguese fleet sailing under the flag of the Order of Christ, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011 and holds ancient artifacts.

Step back in time and check out Mombasa’s Old Town, which combines the Makadara and Mzizima districts that make up the original city. The Old Town boasts beautiful examples of typical Swahili architecture with a peaceful ambiance compared to the rest of the bustling city. The ancient narrow streets decorated by yellow buildings with carved wooden doors are lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. And be sure to check out the fish market! The Old Town is a great place to visit on a Sunday when most of the city is shut down. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars in this area to grab a bite to eat and a drink.

Visit the Mombasa Tusks monument, one of the most characteristic landmarks in the city of Mombasa, it was built in 1956 to welcome Princess Margaret who was visiting the city IN 1952. Located at the entrance to the city, the tusks are made of steel and form a giant M (representing Mombasa).

The Leven House was built in the 19th century and used as the headquarters for the British Navy’s anti-slavery campaigns in the region. It is named after the British warship and has since been used by missionaries, as a shipping company, and as a consulate. The building now houses a restaurant worth visiting.

The Mandhry Mosque is the oldest mosque in Mombasa and a great example of Swahili architecture combining beautiful Arabic style with rounded geometric patterns from Africa. The mosque is one of the most iconic structures in Mombasa’s Old Town.

Visit Haller Park to view some wildlife in the city, the park used to be a quarry wasteland and has since been transformed into a recreational park as well as an animal sanctuary. The park is home to a variety of animals including hippos, elands, oryx, giraffes, tortoises, and more. The large park is great to stroll around and follow the guided signs, or take a guided tour to see all the animals, the best time to visit is at 3 pm daily when it is feeding time. Dr. Rene Haller began the inspirational project to transform the land into a park in 1971, she increased the mineral content of the soil, planted trees, added a fish farm, and created a wildlife park where each animal has a function within the flourishing ecosystem. The park was also home to a famous interspecies couple that became an internet sensation after the 130-year-old tortoise, Mzee, adopted Owen, an orphaned hippo.

Mombasa Marine National Park is one of the country’s busiest offshore reserves, it protects mangroves, seagrass beds, sandy beaches, and a coral reef. There are many fun activities to enjoy at the park including snorkeling and diving where you can see stingrays, seahorses, and eels among other marine creatures who inhabit the waters here. The MV Dania is a popular wreck dive located here, there are options to windsurf, and glass bottom boat tours are available.

The Mamba Village Center is located in Nyali, it is the largest crocodile farm in East Africa. At the center, visitors can learn about the life cycle and behavior of these fascinating amphibians, and look out for Big Daddy, an enormous croc that lives inside the compound with his two wives. Kids get the chance to hold baby crocodiles, and another highlight is watching the crocodiles fight for food during feeding time (usually at 4 p.m.). There is a restaurant on site serving up game meat such as crocodile, ostrich, and zebra delights. There is also the opportunity to go horseback riding at the center and there is a beautiful botanical garden on site with an aquarium where orchids and aquatic plants are the specialty.

Mombasa Go-Kart is one of the most popular places for families in Mombasa. The adventures here are exhilarating and the track is well-designed, and the go-karts are high quality. There are other fun activities such as paintballing, archery, zip-lining, mini-golf, and bowling, there is also a restaurant and bar on site.

Wild Waters Kenya is a water park located in Nyali offering visitors a place to cool off and enjoy some thrilling entertainment. There are swimming pools, water slides, play areas, food courts, and a bar.

Shopping

There are some great shopping opportunities in Mombasa with some unique stores and options found in the old town, and the districts of Kinyozi, Mwembe, and Tayari. Old Town is known for its stores that sell silver jewelry and small pieces of handmade furniture in typical Swahili style. There are some good shopping malls in the city; City Mall Nyali, Coast Zanzibar Curio Shop, and Bombolulu Workshops to name a few. Bargaining is a must when shopping in Mombasa.

Some popular items to shop for include Mombasa Sandals found in many souvenir shops and from street vendors, the sandals are handmade from leather and old tires (for the soles) they are stylish and decorated with colorful beads and pieces of leather to create a variety of shapes and decorations. African fabrics sold in curio shops and markets in the city, lesos are colorful printed fabrics that are sold in pairs and traditionally worn by Swahili women. Kikois are typically striped or plaid and worn as shawls. Kitenge are decorated fabrics with colorful motifs for a woman to wear around the waist, or tied on their head. Kanga is similar to kitenge, but decorated with a border running along the side and a written Swahili proverb. Kiondo or chondo are handmade handbags with a leather trim beautifully decorated with beads or shells.

There are two important workshops that sell their products directly to customers. The Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Center sells jewelry, leather, and textile products as well as wooden sculptures created by over 150 artisans with physical handicaps who work there. The workshop was founded in 1969 and is a project of the Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya. A popular tourist attraction. The Akamba Handicraft creates decorative and useful objects made from sculpted wood with carvings to make each one unique. See the artisans at work in the shop, and visit the showroom with a wide range of exhibits.

Beaches

Mombasa’s location on the East coast of Africa on the sparkling Indian Ocean leads travelers to some of the most amazing African beaches in the country. The coastline of Mombasa is a world of natural beauty, white sand beaches, stunning turquoise waters, and swaying palm trees, make it the perfect beach holiday destination on this idyllic stretch of coastline.

Relax under rustling palms for a beach day, or snorkeling in the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean to discover the absolute beauty of Mombasa. Diving and snorkeling are popular activities in the city with an abundance of marine life to uncover beneath the waters including seahorses, vibrant coral reefs, shipwrecks, and a variety of fish.

Some of the most popular beaches to visit in Mombasa include Diani Beach, which is probably the most famous in a busy populated area south of the city. Diani offers a beautiful beachscape, the beach is lined by many restaurants, shops, and bars as well as many hotels and resorts. There is a busy lineup of watersports to enjoy here including windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, kite surfing, diving, waterskiing, and parasailing! Diani is also the place to be in the evening to absorb the vibrant nightlife.

Tiwi Beach is located 11 miles south of the Lioni Ferry and is a great choice for a beach day, popular with sunbathers, swimmers, and snorkelers. It offers some picturesque views and is one of the most romantic places to visit around Mombasa.

Nyali Beach is close to Mombasa offering its beachgoers a soothing serene beach experience. Nyali is a great place for a coastal experience, great for beach walks, sunbathing, swimming, and surfing with fewer crowds. There are several hotels, resorts, restaurants, shops, and bars along Nyali beach worth visiting. Enjoy the white sand beach and calm tropical waters here, and learn to windsurf, or scuba dive over the vibrant corals below the surface.
< br> Swimming with dolphins is a popular attraction at many of Mombasa’s beaches; Shanzu, Bamburi, and Nyali are among them.

Dining

The cosmopolitan city of Mombasa features a mixture of different cuisines with Arabic, Chinese, Swahili, Korean, Italian, European, and Indian influences. The city is known for its diverse cuisines. There are an abundance of restaurants and eateries to choose from in Mombasa including establishments serving up freshly caught seafood being that it is a massive seaport. You can find restaurants along the beaches, food stands, cafes, and bars dotted around the city worth checking out, and many offering beach, harbor, or ocean views. There are pizzerias and snack bars dotted around the city and beaches. Many local dishes include coconut, waly ya tui is basmati rice with coconut milk, kuku wa kupaka is chicken with coconut milk, and mahamri is coconut donuts with cardamom.

Swahili cuisine is a blend of many different cultures that live along the Kenyan coast, Mombasa is a great destination to sample local Swahili cuisine. A typical Swahili dish consists of rice, and various spices including coriander and cloves, rice is usually prepared with different proteins such as fish, chicken, and beef to make a dish delicious. Pilau is spiced rice, and walki wa nazi is rice cooked in coconut milk. Swahili meals are sold at an affordable price in Mombasa. There are some great cooking classes offered in the city which is a great experience for anyone interested in learning how to cook your own favorite Swahili dish.

Markets are a fun adventure when visiting Mombasa, Kongowea Market is a short drive from Mombasa town, a great place to buy affordable clothing, household items, groceries, and fresh produce. The market is a meeting place for locals, an unofficial cultural center, and the home of some delicious food. Take a walking tour of the market which allows you to engage with the locals, and learn about their way of life while you shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, and try out your bargaining skills.

Due to its coastal location, there are several seafood restaurants dotted around Mombasa, especially in the city’s central island district. There are some unique restaurants such as the Tamarind Dhow, which is a restaurant, and a boat. This unique site and restaurant serve up some pretty tasty seafood dishes including grilled lobster, enjoy with a signature cocktail as you float on the sea.

There are so many options for local food in the city, that foodies will be spoilt for choice, especially during the evenings. There are dozens of restaurants, and street food stalls, especially along Makadara Road, some of the great cuisines offered here include nyama choma, chapatti, minced meat, pilau, and meatballs. Sweet treats include maize porridge, coconut water, fresh fruits, and milkshakes, all at affordable prices.

Nightlife

There are some great nightlife options in the city of Mombasa which are nicknamed “the village that never sleeps”. Partygoers will find a number of great bars, pubs, and entertainment spots where they can soak up the vibrant tropical nightlife. There are a large number of clubs in the city for those looking to dance and listen to music such as dance, house, international hip-hop, and pop music. The diverse nightlife options in the city cater to all tastes and preferences, from a casual night out to wild parties that last till dawn, Mombasa has it all. Check out the beachfront bars, high-end nightclubs, rooftop bars, and exclusive cocktail lounges.

There are some great clubs to choose from in Mombasa where you can go dancing and clubbing to the local hits. The clubs are modern and play some great international hits, music goes on till the wee hours of the morning. Some of the best places to go in the city include Le Club at Continental Resort, Casablanca Club, Sheba, Bella Vista, Bobs, Bliss Lounge, and The Lounge.

The Mama Ngina Waterfront is a public park that overlooks the Kilindini Harbor, a beautiful place to relax by the seaside. Sit back and enjoy the ocean breeze, it is a beautiful place to relax and unwind. See the sights of beautifully lit ferries in the evening, try freshly fried cassava crisps, and unwind in this enchanting setting.

Golden Key Casino is the best place to go gambling in Mombasa, it overlooks the Indian Ocean and offers gamblers 3 card pokers, blackjack, bonus card poker, Ponton, and roulette to mention a few. There is a great restaurant on site serving up local and international cuisines.