Amazing places to visit in Mombasa
Amazing places to visit in Mombasa : Mombasa is one of the oldest towns in the kenya coast dating back to at least eight centuries old. Mombasa is Old, attractive, sultry, dusty, and turbulent. Mombasa is known by many features from the oil refineries, the port ,the ferry ,white sand beaches, Mombasa tusk to its public transport tuk-tuks . Mombasa is the second biggest city in Kenya after Nairobi ,Kenya’s capital city and the biggest city in the Kenyan coast . The shimmering water and the meandering lanes of Mombasa’s old town, which dates back to the 15th century, are home to some of the best sites to explore in the city. One of the biggest port towns in the world used to be Mombasa. Mombasa is an island in the middle of an Indian Ocean harbour that is connected to the mainland by a causeway, bridge, and ferry.
The Mombasa municipality stretches north and south over a distance of 100 kilometres. As you cross the Nyali bridge and travel north, Mombasa passes through the towns of Nyali, Bamburi, and Mtwapa. As you approach the sisal fields of Vipingo, the traffic and densely populated buildings gradually disappear. You must take the unsettling Likoni boat to the south in order to travel towards the more expansive seaside resort of Diani beach and the idyllic, remote village of Tiwi.
Mombasa Old Town
The old town of Mombasa is at the top of my list of must-see locations. Ancient structures loom precariously above little cobblestone streets. Beautifully carved doors, precarious balconies, elaborate windows, and eerie, dusty antiques stores. The architecture and history of Mombasa Old Town have been occupied and enhanced throughout the past 200 years by Arab, Asian Portuguese, and British settlers. One of the greatest spots to visit in Mombasa these days is the 72 hectares of conserved history. While strolling around Mombasa Old Town transports you back in time, you can’t help but feel excited when you step into a door and see things stacked to the ceiling, even if the shops are more focused on selling tourist trinkets than historical artefacts.
Fort Jesus
The historic Fort Jesus is remarkable, its ancient bones bared by five centuries of sun, wind, and battle. Designed by Italian architect Cairati and built by the Portuguese between 1593 and 1596, Fort Jesus is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage monument. The expansive property is a partially collapsed maze of abandoned structures, tumbledown walls, and massive guns. See the Omani House, a structure featuring Swahili living exhibits and Omani jewels.
Mombasa Tusks
Locals refer to the Mombasa Tusks as Pembe Za Ndovu. Even though they were just constructed in 1952, the Mombasa tusks have come to represent the city. The tusks were constructed to honour Queen Elizabeth’s visit and are situated along Moi Avenue in the city centre. The entry to the city’s centre is marked by the Mombasa elephants’ tusks, which form the letter M for Mombasa. There’s not much to do here, but do they make a nice picture.
Dive at Mombasa Marine Park
There are five significant marine parks in Kenya. Mombasa’s coral reef underwater sanctuary spans 84 square km. Due in part to its close proximity to Mombasa and the fact that all of the diving spots are near shore, it is well-liked by divers. Spending a day admiring the coral reef that stretches along most of Kenya’s coast is a wise decision, regardless of whether you decide to dive or snorkel. Along with the typical tropical species of the Indian Ocean, you will witness sharks, octopuses, stingrays, seahorses, eels, turtles, and dolphins. A feast for the eyes’ sight.
Nyali – Mombasa wild waters
Go to the ocean during the summer months, but if your kids have had enough of the beach, the Nyali Wild Waters is a great wet alternative. It’s simple, yet there are about twenty slides that twist and turn, plunging you five feet below the surface, and a long, lazy river where you can float on a raft and look up at the clear blue sky. It is perfect for families with little children’s play space and rain dancing area. If all you want to do is swim and not utilise the slides at all, you can still enter for a modest fee and purchase food and drinks on the premises. Price: KES 1,500 for sliders; KES 300 for non-sliders.
Haller Park
You should read the captivating story of Haller Park in its entirety here. An ugly area that was once a cement quarry, nature has recently taken back the area, partially with human assistance and partly on its own. When life started to flourish in the quarry, other animals soon after joined Mombasa’s red millipedes in settling the area and producing compost. Giraffes, Cape buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks, and hippos abound in Haller Park, originally known as the Bamburi Nature Trail. The park is also home to over 160 different species of birds ,making it one of the birding safari destination in the kenya coast.
Mamba Village
There are other animals on the largest crocodile farm in East Africa. You can go on horseback rides or camel rides on the “farm,” explore the aquarium and botanical garden, or visit the restaurant to eat some of the park’s inhabitants. Game meat from ostriches, zebras, and crocodiles is served at the restaurant. All species of African crocodiles are found in the park at Mambas Village Mombasa. Although the crocodiles spend most of their time in the sun lazing around, they do engage in some lively activity every day when they are fed. Watch as these vicious predators battle it out for fresh flesh.
Bombolulu workshop
A non-profit organisation called Bombolulu Workshops assists people with physical disabilities in achieving financial and social independence. The centre features a café, a cultural centre, and four workshops. It’s a terrific spot to shop for mementos; all earnings from the sales of Kenyan jewellery, textiles, wood and soapstone sculptures, and leather crafts go towards supporting the less fortunate. Workshops in Bombolulu offer an opportunity to experience some traditional lifestyles, and they regularly feature performances of tribal dances from the area.
Tamarind Dhow Trip
You are seriously missing out if you visit the Kenyan Coast without going on a dhow excursion. In Kenya, dhow excursions come in a variety of forms and sizes. One option is to just cruise the coast while carrying a picnic basket. You may take it a notch and go to Tamarind’s Dhow, or you can board a Dawa Dhow in Mida Creek and sip cocktails in the setting sun while you jump high into the creek. Throughout Kenya, the Tamarind Restaurant Group is the owner of numerous upscale and well-known eateries. At the base of Mombasa’s Tamarind pier, they board an authentic Swahili dhow and travel along Tudor Creek, observing Mombasa Old Town and Fort Jesus from the ocean before pulling up to a beach for dinner.
Tamarind serves a four-course meal that is highly recommended, with a focus on seafood that is caught locally. The Dawa cocktail was created by the Tamarind crew, so expect lots of drinking.