The South Coast has two notable beaches:
- Tiwi Beach:Â In general, beaches in the South Coast are more ideal for a vacation as they are less crowded and further from the city center ensuring the ocean water is in pristine condition. Tiwi Beach is one such beaches.
- Diani Beach:Â This is not only the best beach in Kenya but it has also been named the best beach in Africa on multiple occasions. There are some truly world-class beach resorts on Diani Beach. The beach has white sand and most resorts are set amidst stunning tropical gardens where monkeys frequent.
Looking for the ideal hotel for your Mombasa vacation? We can book you some of the best beach hotels and resorts on the Coast with detailed descriptions that include pictures and pricing information.
Things to do in Mombasa
- Haller Park: Haller Park is an animal sanctuary set on reclaimed land which was formerly a limestone mine wasteland. The park is home to giraffe, zebra, Cape buffalo, waterbuck, and hippo. Oh, and the one-time internet sensation 130-year-old tortoise named Mzee (Old Man) which adopted a baby hippo.
- Mombasa Go-Kart:Â This spot is ideal for a family outing. One can race around the circuit on go-karts or go off-road on buggies. Mombasa Go-Kart also has a restaurant with computer games and screens for sports viewing.
- Mombasa Marine Park: Up for some snorkeling and diving? Well, Mombasa Marine Park is a popular site for such activities. Seahorses, eels, stingrays among others are some of the marine life on display. One can also view marine life using glass-bottom boats.
- Mamba Village: Mamba is Swahili for crocodile. As such Mamba Village Center is the largest crocodile farm in East Africa. It also features a botanical garden and an aquarium. The restaurant there serves up tasty game meat including crocodile meat.
- Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Center:Â This is a one-stop spot for local culture. From traditional tribal dances to traditional homesteads inspired by various local tribes. The center also has souvenir shops and a restaurant.
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Mombasa
The city was the seat of the Government of Kenya until 1906 when it moved to Nairobi. It has the population approaching 1.5 million and a fascinating history.
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya (second only to the capital, Nairobi). The city is mainly famous for its beaches and history. Mombasa is Kenya’s foremost tourist destination both for local and international tourists. The city borders the Indian Ocean and has a collection of award-winning beaches most notably Diani Beach.
Its coastline is divided into two, namely ,the North Coast and the South Coast, the latter of which is accessible via a ferry services from the North Coast. The North Coast has four notable beaches that are quite popular with tourists.
Some of the sites of historical importance in Mombasa include;
- Fort Jesus: Mombasa’s most visited tourist attraction. Fort Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the world’s most well-preserved pieces of 16th Century Portuguese military architecture. The fort was built by the Italian architect Giovanni Battista Cairati by order of King Philip I of Portugal between 1593 and 1596. Viewed from the air the fort was designed in the shape of a man. The fort has had a tumultuous existence having been captured and recaptured severally. It is said to have exchanged hands at least nine times. Some of the notable historic artifacts and structures still standing at Fort Jesus include Oman House which served as the house of the Sultan who governed the East African coast, cannons left behind by the British and Portuguese military among other things.
- Old Town:Â Situated in the south-east part of Mombasa, visiting Old Town is like going back in time. This area is occupied by a host of cultures including local Swahili people, Arabs, Portuguese, and British settlers. The buildings reflect architectural influence from all of these cultures and Old Town is a prime exhibit of life and culture from centuries past in Mombasa.
Accessing Mombasa
From Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, Mombasa is accessible via road (8-hour drive), via railway on the Madaraka Express (between 4 hours and 30 minutes and 6 hours depending on the train selected) or by air (45-minute flight). The introduction of the Madaraka Express in 2017 has made Mombasa more accessible from Nairobi. The commute is also inexpensive and one has the chance to see wildlife as the railway line cuts across sections of animal parks.
Explore Mombasa