Mombasa is a historical City in Kenya known for its beautiful beaches and white- blue colonial architecture.

It is the oldest City in Kenya and a great place for a beach vacation, offering a perfect mix of activities from beach days to history and culture to safaris.

There are plenty of options to choose from.

Beaches and Coastal Relaxation

1. Nyali Beach – It is 6 km drive from Mombasa town. Visit it experience the calm waters, nearby cafes and resorts, perfect for sunrise walks.

It is a long strip of white sand beach where you can swim in the ocean and even sunbathe on the enormous space

2. Bamburi Beach-Located in Bamburi. Get to experience the lively atmosphere and the water sports like scuba diving and snorkelling.

These sports are charged depending on how the guides tell you.

The beach is famously known for camel riding

3. Diani Beach -Just an hour drive from Mombasa town. Has good accommodation, beachfront resorts where you’ll have direct access to the beach anytime.

The beach offers a more remote, less crowded and more relaxing beach experience that you can go for.

There are also water sports like windsurfing, sailing, water skiing and even kite surfing; all these sports are charged differently.

4.Pirates Beach -Located along Mombasa -Malindi Road. It is a public beach known for good street food, local vibes and good music in the evenings

Culture, History and Urban Exploration

Visit Mombasa Old Town

You will be able to stroll around the criss-crossing ancient streets full of old, stunning, yellow buildings that used to house the incredibly mixed population of Mombasa.

As you walk through the streets of Old Town,you will be able to see an Arab Influence in the carvings of many of the old wooden doors still used today.

You will witness many British and Portuguese influences on the features of colonial architecture throughout the old town.

It is like walking back in time.

Fort Jesus

Fort Jesus is located in Mombasa Old Town, Mombasa Island.

It is a museum containing exhibits of historical artefacts, old cannons, and Portuguese and Omani architectural features.

It has rooms dedicated to telling interesting stories of Omani influences along the Eastern Coast of Africa, as well as how they were able to take control of the city from the colonial powers, like the Portuguese.

It’s open from 8 am – 6 pm, and the entrance fee is as follows:
i)Citizen: Adults Ksh200, children Ksh100.
ii)Residents: Adults Ksh400, children Ksh200.
iii)Non-residents: Adults KSH1200, children Ksh600.

Mombasa Tusks

They are the famous landmarks in Mombasa Town that are normally seen in pictures.

It is a giant aluminium monument in the shape of Tusks built over a street in Mombasa to commemorate a visit by Princess Margaret, one of the daughters of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom.

It is a good place for taking nice pictures.

Also Read: Best Places to Spend Your Weekend in Nairobi

Nature and Adventure

1. Game Drive to Tsavo National Park

There are Tsavo East and West, but mostly people visit East.

It is 300 km away from town, North of Mombasa.

When you go for a safari drive, you will be able to see the best view of both parks and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Elephants, Giraffes, Wildebeests and even Hippos
Entrance fee for adult citizens is Ksh515, while for children it’s Ksh215.

For residents, adults pay Ksh1030 and children Ksh515.

2.Mama Ngina Water Front

Perfect destination for strolls,runs and adventures.

It is close to Mombasa Island, worth visiting with friends and family or even alone.

Visitors may unwind and observe the top-tier ship sailing past as they enter and exit the Mombasa Port.

The Mombasa Golf Club is also located in the park and is the oldest golf course in Kenya.

It also has a variety of coastal street foods being sold.

3.Haller Park

Haller Park is located in Bamburia and a must-visit for animal lovers.

It used to be a quarry wasteland, but now it’s a thriving nature park with lots of plants and animals.

You can walk around and see giraffes and other wildlife, and don’t miss the chance to feed the giraffes.

Feeding them is just Ksh50 to Ksh100, and the entrance fee for both citizens and residents is Ksh600 for adults and Ksh250 for children.

It is open from morning to evening.

4.Mamba Village

It is a crocodile centre located in Nyali.

It is a home to over 1000 young and mature crocodiles, including one of the oldest crocodiles in the world -Big Daddy.

There is also a beautiful botanical garden featuring aquatic plants and orchids, a large aquarium and a fish farm.

Entrance fee for both citizens and residents is Ksh400 for adults and Ksh200 for children, while non-residents pay Ksh900 for adults and Ksh450 for children

5.Mtwapa Creek

It’s a serene Creek in Mtwapa known for its water activities, scenic views and picnic spots.

It is an excellent place for fishing and scuba diving owing to its currents and temperatures.

Visit close to sunset or sunrise when the sky and water are painted in hues of orange and blue.

Mtwapa Creek is also an excellent location for photography.

The fee depends on the tour packages.

A picture of people strolling around Old Town Mombasa
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