mombasa Kenya

Mombasa is the second largest  city in Kenya and capital of the Kenya Coast.

Mombasa lies at the shores of the  Indian Ocean.It has a chief port and an international airport.

Mombasa is one of Africa’s chief tourist destination, with some of the top beaches in the world on the North and south of Mombasa.Located on Kenya’s Eastern coastline adjacent to the Indian Ocean, Mombasa has developed into a popular attraction for its exotic beaches, diverse marine life, first-class hotels and welcoming people.

Mombasa’s history dates back to the 16th century and it has been ruled by the Arabs, Portuguese and British-who have all influenced the town’s customs and the magnetisms that still exist including historical remnants such as Fort Jesus and the Old Town.

Being the second largest city in Kenya, Mombasa offers a mass of activities hence it has become one of  East Africa’s greatest attraction for families alike such as deep-sea fishing, sunbathing and even many other water sports.Hotels also slot in these activities as part of their different entertainment systems, with the intention of creating the tour to Mombasa the ultimate vacation experience!

Mombasa has a lot more to offer to visitors than just beautiful beaches.It was a very influential port in the 15th century, and has played a significant role in laying the foundations of the nation that it is a part of today.Some of the popular attractions in the town relate directly to the historical context, while others seek to complement the tourism industry that the town thrives on.

Here is a list of major attractions in and around Mombasa:

 Mombasa Haller Park (Formerly Bamburi Nature Trail)

The Haller park is the largest animal sanctuary at the Kenya Coast.Located in Bamburi next to the Cement Factory, the Nature Trail boasts an enormous variety of animals, reptiles, insects and botanical gardens.Walking along the trail is the ideal way to look at the various animals, and on many occasions holding or feeding a reptile such as a snake is allowed under close supervision of a guide.

Educational videos are also shown, with emphasis on the the history and continuous improvement of the trail.It was previously a barren piece of land that had been stripped of its resources through limestone mining, and was redeveloped through reforestation and conservation efforts, and is now a habitat for a large number of flora and fauna species

Mombasa Fort Jesus

Fort Jesus is Mombasa’s most popular tourist attraction.

The fort jesus, located along the coastline near the Old Town, is a monumental piece of architecture that was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese.

The fort jesus has a museum that displays various artifacts from the era where Mombasa served as a transit point for the slave trade and commodities, and which enjoyed regular visits by seafarers and the like.

Its interior comprises of torture rooms and prison cells where slaves were kept in captivity before being traded. Weapons such as canons, which were used to defend the fort from invading foreigners as well as rioting locals, can be seen both inside and outside of the fort.

The fort jesus opens its gates for viewing in the morning and closes at dusk.it is included in our mombasa city program.

Mombasa Old Town

“Old Town” is the part of Mombasa that is reminiscent of the days when the Arabs exerted a heavy influence on the town and its culture, and especially in the architecture and language (Kiswahili has a lot of phrases derived from various Arabic dialects).

It is well known for its ancient buildings, extravagant art designs and curio shops that sell antique and popular Kenyan souvenirs.

Mombasa Old Town is best seen when explored by foot with an experienced guide, as the streets are too narrow to accommodate a large number of vehicles.The town’s inhabitants are mostly of Arab origin who’s forefathers once roamed the same streets of the town.Fort Jesus is located just a few steps away from where the town “starts”, thus a complete tour of the fort and the “Old Town” can be done in some few hours.

Mombasa Mamba Village (Crocodile Farm)

Mamba Village, which is situated in Nyali, is East Africa’s largest crocodile farm.A tour of the farm starts with a movie on the life cycle and behaviour of crocodiles, followed by a comprehensive tour of the rest of farm, and ends with the highlight of the day: a spectacular scene of blood-thirsty crocodiles fighting for food during feeding time.

Excellent cuisine is available at the Mamba Restaurant, and the house specialty is superbly grilled crocodile meat. Souvenirs of your visit can be bought at the Mamba Souvenir shop located within the village.

Mombasa Bombolulu Workshops

The Bombolulu workshops are located along the north coast of Mombasa.Founded in 1969, Bombolulu Workshops is a Project of the Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya (APDK). It is a major Tourist attraction which consists of a Cultural Centre with 8 traditional homesteads.The Centre also runs a traditional Restaurant and entertains guests with traditional dances throughout the day.

The Centre is run by the “Association for the physically disabled” and employs 150-disabled craftsmen/women who produce jewellery, handprinted textiles, wood carvings and leather crafts.

The products are sold in a large showroom and exported to many overseas  countries.Bombolulu Workshops have grown to be one of the biggest rehabilitation centres in Kenya and has built a reputation as one of Kenyans most reliable handcraft  exporters.

The Elephant Tusks “The Gateway Landmark”

The Elephant “Tusks” are symbolic representations of entrance into the heart of the town.

The tusks were built to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth to the town in 1952, as they lay directly on the path from the port to the town.

Ivory was considered to be an exquisite commodity during the time, and in essence the tusks were meant to embrace the Queen and the British Empire into the town and within its social structure.

The Mombasa Hindu Temple

The Hindu temple located on haileselasie avenue is  one of the many symbols of Mombasa’s cultural diversity.The temple is a popular tourist spot and a tour can be taken inside the temple, with a historical background of the temple given by one of the temple gurus.

The Hindu Temple visit is included in our Mombasa city tour program.Extravagant idols and stone carvings of the various religious beliefs are displayed within the temple and on its walls.It is located near the Railway Station just outside the perimeter of the downtown area.

The Gedi Ruins

On the North coast of Mombasa towards the town of Malindi lays one the most pre-historic ruins found in Mombasa, called the Gedi Ruins.

The Gedi Ruins visit is included in our one day Malindi tour excursion program.

Gedi was a small town built entirely from rocks and stones, which was inhabited by a few thousand Swahili people and ruled by a very rich Sultan.

These ruins date back from the 15th century, and through careful preservation most of the original foundations can still be seen today. A well-informed and educated guide gives a tour of the ruins.

The ruins are designated as a National Museum by law, and their preservation are a direct reflection of the commitment of the Government to uphold the country’s cultural and historical background.